Direct and Indirect Narration is one of the most important grammar topics in competitive examinations such as SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, NDA, CDS, and IBPS PO.
This article contains 10 challenging narration questions with detailed explanations that strengthen grammar concepts and improve accuracy in the examination.
Direct and Indirect Narration for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, NDA, CDS & IBPS PO
Ultra-Detailed Explanations for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, NDA, CDS & IBPS PO
Question 1
Direct Speech
The Principal said to the students, “Unless you submit your assignments by tomorrow, you will not be allowed to appear in the practical examination.”
Indirect Speech
The Principal told the students that unless they submitted their assignments by the following day, they would not be allowed to appear in the practical examination.
Detailed Explanation
This is an Assertive Sentence containing a negative condition introduced by unless. Since the reporting verb said to is in the Simple Past Tense, we must apply the standard narration rules for tense, pronouns, and time expressions.
Step 1: Identify the Sentence Type
The sentence simply gives information or a warning. It is neither a question nor an exclamation.
Therefore, it is an Assertive Sentence.
For assertive sentences, we generally use the conjunction that while changing the narration.
Step 2: Change the Reporting Verb
The reporting verb is:
said to
Whenever said to is followed by an object, it changes into told.
Rule
said to + object → told + object
Example
Direct:
The Principal said to the students…
Indirect:
The Principal told the students…
Step 3: Use the Correct Conjunction
Since this is an assertive sentence, we introduce the reported speech with that.
Therefore,
told the students that…
Step 4: Change the Tense
The reporting verb is in the Past Tense, so the tense inside the quotation changes one step back.
Tense Conversion Table
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
submit (Simple Present) submitted (Simple Past)
will not be allowed would not be allowed
Thus,
submit → submitted
will → would
Step 5: Change the Pronouns
Pronouns are changed according to the listener.
Here,
you refers to the students.
Therefore,
Direct Indirect
you they
your their
So,
you submit your assignments
becomes
they submitted their assignments
Step 6: Change the Time Expression
Certain words indicating time change in indirect narration.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
tomorrow the following day / the next day
Hence,
by tomorrow
changes into
by the following day
Step 7: What Happens to “Unless”?
Many students become confused about unless.
Remember:
Unless does not change because it already means if…not.
Example
Unless you study…
↓
Unless they studied…
There is no need to replace it with if not.
Common Mistake
❌ The Principal said that unless they submit their assignments…
(Simple Present is incorrect.)
✔ The Principal told the students that unless they submitted their assignments…
SSC Exam Tip
Whenever you see
said to
tomorrow
will
you
immediately think
✔ told
✔ the following day
✔ would
✔ they
These four changes appear repeatedly in SSC examinations.
Shortcut Trick
Remember this sequence:
Reporting Verb → Conjunction → Tense → Pronoun → Time Word → Final Sentence
Following this order will help you solve narration questions within seconds.
Final Answer
The Principal told the students that unless they submitted their assignments by the following day, they would not be allowed to appear in the practical examination.
Question 2
Direct Speech
The officer said, “Had I known about the traffic, I would have left earlier.”
Indirect Speech
The officer said that if he had known about the traffic, he would have left earlier.
Detailed Explanation
This sentence is a Third Conditional Sentence expressing an unreal situation in the past. It means that the officer did not know about the traffic, and therefore he did not leave early.
One important point is that Had I known… is an inverted form of If I had known….
Step 1: Identify the Sentence Type
This is an Assertive Sentence.
Therefore, we use the conjunction that.
Step 2: Reporting Verb
The reporting verb is simply
said
Since there is no object after it, it remains unchanged.
Correct
The officer said that…
Step 3: Understand the Conditional Structure
Original sentence:
Had I known about the traffic…
This is only another way of writing
If I had known about the traffic…
Both have exactly the same meaning.
During narration, we normally restore the sentence into its regular conditional form.
Therefore,
Had I known
↓
If he had known
Step 4: Pronoun Change
The speaker is the officer.
Therefore,
Direct Indirect
I he
Thus,
Had I known
↓
If he had known
Step 5: Tense Change
Notice something interesting.
The sentence already contains Past Perfect.
Past Perfect normally does not change further.
Similarly,
would have left
also remains unchanged because it is already a perfect conditional form.
Therefore,
Direct Indirect
had known had known
would have left would have left
Why Doesn’t the Tense Change?
Many SSC candidates mistakenly write
❌ had known → had had known
Such a form does not exist.
Past Perfect remains Past Perfect.
Likewise,
would have left
remains
would have left.
Common Mistake
❌ The officer said that if he knew about the traffic…
Wrong.
The sentence is about an unreal past condition.
Correct
✔ if he had known…
SSC Exam Tip
Whenever you find
Had I known…
Had she informed…
Had they reached…
immediately recognize it as
If + Past Perfect
Then change only the pronoun.
Shortcut Trick
Remember
Had + Subject + V³
=
If + Subject + had + V³
This shortcut helps solve inverted conditional narration questions quickly.
Final Answer
The officer said that if he had known about the traffic, he would have left earlier.
Question 3
Direct Speech
My father said to me, “Do not waste your valuable time on unnecessary arguments.”
Indirect Speech
My father advised me not to waste my valuable time on unnecessary arguments.
Detailed Explanation
This is a Negative Imperative Sentence because it gives advice in the form of a negative command.
Imperative sentences require special reporting verbs depending on the meaning.
Here, the father is giving advice rather than issuing a strict order.
Therefore, the most suitable reporting verb is advised.
Step 1: Identify the Sentence Type
The sentence begins with
Do not
This shows that it is a Negative Imperative Sentence.
Imperative sentences express
advice
order
request
command
instruction
warning
The reporting verb depends on the context.
Step 2: Change the Reporting Verb
Original
said to
↓
advised
Why?
Because a father normally advises his child instead of commanding him.
Hence,
My father advised me…
Step 3: Remove the Inverted Commas
Imperative sentences do not use that.
Instead, they use
to + Verb
or
not to + Verb
Since the sentence is negative,
Do not waste
becomes
not to waste
Step 4: Pronoun Change
The listener is
me
Therefore,
your
changes into
my
because the advice is being reported from the listener’s perspective.
Thus,
your valuable time
↓
my valuable time
Step 5: Verb Transformation
Imperative Rule
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Do not + Verb not to + Verb
Example
Do not waste
↓
not to waste
Why Is “Advised” Better Than “Ordered”?
The sentence expresses parental guidance.
Therefore,
✔ advised
is more natural than
✔ ordered
SSC examinations often test the appropriate reporting verb according to context.
Common Mistake
❌ My father told me that I should not waste…
Although grammatically possible in some contexts, this is not the standard narration transformation expected in competitive exams.
The preferred answer is
✔ My father advised me not to waste…
SSC Exam Tip
Whenever you see
Do not
Never
Don’t
think immediately
not to + Verb
Then choose the reporting verb according to meaning:
advised
ordered
requested
warned
instructed
Shortcut Trick
Remember the formula:
Do not + Verb → advised + object + not to + Verb
This is one of the most frequently tested narration patterns in SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, NDA, CDS, and IBPS PO examinations.
Final Answer
My father advised me not to waste my valuable time on unnecessary arguments.
Direct and Indirect Narration for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, NDA, CDS & IBPS PO
Question 4
Direct Speech
The scientist said, “The Earth revolves around the Sun.”
Indirect Speech
The scientist said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
Detailed Explanation
This is one of the most frequently asked narration concepts in SSC, NDA, CDS, IBPS PO, and other competitive examinations. The sentence states a Universal Truth (Scientific Fact).
Even though the reporting verb is in the Past Tense (said), the tense inside the reported speech does not change because universal truths remain true at all times.
Step 1: Identify the Sentence Type
The sentence simply states a fact.
Therefore, it is an Assertive Sentence.
For assertive sentences, we use the conjunction that.
Example:
The scientist said that…
Step 2: Reporting Verb
The reporting verb is
said
Since there is no object after it, it remains unchanged.
Correct:
The scientist said that…
Step 3: Identify Whether It Is a Universal Truth
Ask yourself:
Is this statement always true?
“The Earth revolves around the Sun.”
Yes.
This is a scientific fact that never changes.
Therefore, the tense remains Simple Present.
Step 4: Tense Rule
Normally,
Simple Present → Simple Past
But there is an exception.
Exception
If the reported speech expresses
Universal Truth
Scientific Fact
Natural Law
Mathematical Truth
Proverb
Permanent Fact
then no tense change occurs.
Tense Table
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
revolves revolves
Notice that it does not become “revolved.”
Step 5: Pronoun Change
There is no first-person or second-person pronoun.
Hence,
No pronoun change is required.
Why Doesn’t the Tense Change?
Many students mechanically apply tense backshift and write
❌ The scientist said that the Earth revolved around the Sun.
This is incorrect because the Earth still revolves around the Sun today.
Universal truths are always reported in the Present Tense.
Common Mistake
❌ The scientist said that the Earth revolved around the Sun.
Correct
✔ The scientist said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
SSC Exam Tip
Whenever you see statements related to
Science
Geography
Mathematics
Nature
Proverbs
immediately check whether they express a universal truth.
If yes,
do not change the tense.
Shortcut Trick
Remember this golden formula:
Past Reporting Verb + Universal Truth = No Tense Change
This rule is asked repeatedly in SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, NDA, CDS, and Banking examinations.
Final Answer
The scientist said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
Question 5
Direct Speech
The teacher said to Rohan, “Can you explain why you did not complete the assignment?”
Indirect Speech
The teacher asked Rohan whether he could explain why he had not completed the assignment.
Detailed Explanation
This sentence is an Interrogative Sentence (Yes/No Question) because it begins with the helping verb Can.
While changing it into indirect speech, we must convert the question into a statement, remove the question mark, and follow the narration rules.
Step 1: Identify the Sentence Type
The sentence begins with
Can
Therefore, it is an Interrogative Sentence.
Questions beginning with auxiliary verbs like:
Can
Could
Is
Are
Was
Were
Do
Does
Did
Will
usually take if or whether in indirect speech.
Here, whether is more suitable.
Step 2: Change the Reporting Verb
Original
said to
↓
asked
Because the teacher is asking a question.
Correct
The teacher asked Rohan…
Step 3: Remove the Question Form
In Direct Speech
Can you explain…?
In Indirect Speech
whether he could explain…
The sentence is no longer a question.
It becomes a statement.
Step 4: Tense Change
Since the reporting verb is in the Past Tense,
the tense changes.
Tense Conversion
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Can could
did not complete had not completed
Therefore,
Can
↓
could
did not complete
↓
had not completed
Step 5: Pronoun Change
The listener is Rohan.
Therefore,
you
↓
he
Step 6: Word Order
One of the biggest mistakes students make is keeping the question order.
Wrong
❌ whether could he explain…
Correct
✔ whether he could explain…
Remember:
Indirect Speech always follows statement word order.
Common Mistake
❌ The teacher asked Rohan that could he explain…
Wrong because
“that” is not used in interrogative sentences.
Question order should change.
Correct
✔ The teacher asked Rohan whether he could explain…
SSC Exam Tip
Whenever you see
Can
Could
Will
Did
Do
immediately remember
✔ asked
✔ whether/if
✔ statement order
✔ tense backshift
Shortcut Trick
Formula:
said to → asked → whether/if → subject + helping verb → statement order
Following this sequence will solve most SSC narration questions involving Yes/No questions.
Final Answer
The teacher asked Rohan whether he could explain why he had not completed the assignment.
Question 6
Direct Speech
The judge said to the witness, “You must tell the truth before the court.”
Indirect Speech
The judge instructed the witness that he had to tell the truth before the court.
Detailed Explanation
This sentence expresses an instruction or legal direction. The judge is not merely speaking; he is directing the witness to tell the truth. Therefore, the reporting verb changes according to the meaning of the sentence.
Step 1: Identify the Sentence Type
Although the sentence is grammatically assertive, its meaning is instruction.
Therefore, the reporting verb should reflect that meaning.
Step 2: Change the Reporting Verb
Original
said to
↓
instructed
Because a judge gives official instructions.
Other possible reporting verbs could be
ordered
directed
However,
instructed is the most appropriate in this context.
Step 3: Add the Conjunction
Since the sentence is assertive,
we use
that
Example
The judge instructed the witness that…
Step 4: Change the Modal Verb
The modal verb is
must
Generally,
must
↓
had to
when the reporting verb is in the Past Tense and the sentence expresses obligation.
Modal Conversion
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
must had to
Step 5: Pronoun Change
The pronoun
you
refers to
the witness.
Therefore,
you
↓
He
Step 6: Tense Change
The sentence already expresses an obligation through the modal verb.
The important transformation is
must
↓
had to
The main verb
tell
remains in its base form after
had to.
Why “Had to” Instead of “Must”?
In narration,
must usually changes into had to when it indicates obligation or necessity.
Examples
You must work hard.
↓
He had to work hard.
However, if must expresses a permanent rule or universal necessity, it may sometimes remain unchanged depending on context.
Common Mistake
❌ The judge told the witness that he must tell the truth…
Although understandable, SSC examinations generally expect
✔ had to
because the reporting verb is in the Past Tense.
SSC Exam Tip
Whenever you see
must
ask yourself
Does it express
obligation?
duty?
instruction?
If yes,
change it to
had to
Shortcut Trick
Remember:
must → had to
said to → instructed/ordered/advised (according to meaning)
Choosing the correct reporting verb is often the key to scoring full marks in narration questions.
Final Answer
The judge instructed the witness that he had to tell the truth before the court.
Direct and Indirect Narration for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, NDA, CDS & IBPS PO
Question 7
Direct Speech
The manager said, “Employees who consistently perform well are rewarded every year.”
Indirect Speech
The manager said that employees who consistently perform well are rewarded every year.
Detailed Explanation
This sentence is based on an important narration concept: General Truth / Permanent Fact / Company Policy.
Many students think that whenever the reporting verb is in the past tense (said), the tense of the reported speech must always change. However, this is not correct.
If the reported speech expresses a general truth, habitual action, scientific fact, or permanent rule, the tense remains unchanged.
Step 1: Identify the Sentence Type
The sentence gives information about a general company policy.
It is an:
Assertive Sentence
Therefore, we use:
That
Step 2: Change the Reporting Verb
Reporting verb:
said
There is no object after “said”.
Therefore, it remains unchanged.
Correct:
The manager said that…
Step 3: Identify the Meaning of the Sentence
The sentence says:
“Employees who consistently perform well are rewarded every year.”
This is not about one particular incident in the past.
It describes a regular policy.
Therefore, it is treated as a general fact.
Step 4: Tense Change Rule
Normally:
Simple Present → Simple Past
Example:
He says, “I work hard.”
↓
He said that he worked hard.
But here:
employees are rewarded every year
is a permanent practice.
Therefore:
Present tense remains unchanged.
Tense Table
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
perform perform
are rewarded are rewarded
Step 5: Relative Clause Rule
The sentence contains:
Employees who consistently perform well
The word who introduces a relative clause.
Relative clauses generally remain unchanged unless pronoun changes are required.
Therefore,
who consistently perform well
remains the same.
Step 6: Pronoun Change
There is no first-person or second-person pronoun.
Therefore,
No pronoun change is required.
Common Mistake
❌ The manager said that employees who consistently performed well were rewarded every year.
This changes a permanent policy into a past event.
Correct:
✔ The manager said that employees who consistently perform well are rewarded every year.
SSC Exam Tip
Remember:
Past Reporting Verb + Permanent Fact = No Tense Change
Look for words like:
every year
always
generally
usually
regularly
They often indicate habitual or permanent actions.
Shortcut Trick
Ask one question:
“Is this sentence still true today?”
If yes:
Do not change the tense.
Final Answer
The manager said that employees who consistently perform well are rewarded every year.
Question 8
Direct Speech
She said to her friend, “What a wonderful opportunity this is!”
Indirect Speech
She exclaimed with joy that it was a wonderful opportunity.
Detailed Explanation
This sentence is an Exclamatory Sentence because it expresses strong emotion or feeling.
Words like:
What!
How!
Alas!
Hurrah!
Bravo!
usually indicate exclamation.
While changing such sentences into indirect speech, we remove the exclamatory structure and use suitable reporting verbs.
Step 1: Identify Sentence Type
The sentence begins with:
What a wonderful opportunity…
This expresses happiness and excitement.
Therefore, it is an:
Exclamatory Sentence
Step 2: Change the Reporting Verb
Original:
said to
Since the sentence expresses happiness:
said to
↓
exclaimed with joy
Other examples:
Feeling Reporting Verb
Happiness exclaimed with joy
Sadness exclaimed with sorrow
Surprise exclaimed with surprise
Step 3: Remove Exclamatory Words
Direct:
What a wonderful opportunity this is!
Indirect:
It was a wonderful opportunity.
The structure:
What + adjective + noun
is changed into a normal statement.
Step 4: Change the Pronoun
The word:
this
refers to the opportunity being discussed.
Therefore:
this
↓
it
Step 5: Tense Change
The reporting verb is in the past.
Therefore:
is
↓
was
Tense Table
Direct Indirect
is was
Common Mistake
❌ She told her friend that what a wonderful opportunity it was.
Wrong because exclamatory words should not remain.
Correct:
✔ She exclaimed with joy that it was a wonderful opportunity.
SSC Exam Tip
For exclamatory sentences:
Remove:
What
How
!
Add suitable reporting verb:
exclaimed with joy
exclaimed with sorrow
exclaimed with surprise
Shortcut Trick
Formula:
What/How + feeling → exclaimed + feeling + that + statement
Final Answer
She exclaimed with joy that it was a wonderful opportunity.
Question 9
Direct Speech
The captain said to the players, “Let us maintain our confidence till the last ball.”
Indirect Speech
The captain urged the players to maintain their confidence till the last ball.
Detailed Explanation
This sentence contains Let us, which is one of the most important patterns in imperative narration.
“Let us” generally expresses:
suggestion
proposal
encouragement
advice
Therefore, it does not change into “to let”.
Step 1: Identify Sentence Type
The sentence begins with:
Let us
This is an imperative sentence expressing a suggestion.
Step 2: Change Reporting Verb
The captain is motivating the players.
Therefore:
said to
↓
urged
Other possible words:
suggested
advised
But “urged” is most suitable because the captain is encouraging the team.
Step 3: Change Let Us Structure
Rule:
Let us + verb
changes into:
urged/suggested + object + to + verb
Therefore:
Let us maintain
↓
urged the players to maintain
Step 4: Pronoun Change
us refers to:
the captain and players together.
But while reporting, the object is already:
the players
Therefore, the verb becomes:
to maintain
Step 5: Remove Extra Words
The word:
Let
is removed.
Only the main action remains.
Common Mistake
❌ The captain suggested the players that they should maintain…
Although meaningful, SSC standard transformation prefers:
✔ urged the players to maintain…
SSC Exam Tip
Remember:
Let us = suggestion
Pattern:
said to + person, “Let us…”
↓
suggested/urged + person + to + verb
Shortcut Trick
“Let us” means:
Come on, we should…
Therefore:
Change it into:
urged + object + to
Final Answer
The captain urged the players to maintain their confidence till the last ball.
Question 10
Direct Speech
The professor said, “No sooner had the experiment begun than the machine stopped working.”
Indirect Speech
The professor said that no sooner had the experiment begun than the machine had stopped working.
Detailed Explanation
This sentence contains the structure:
No sooner…than
which shows that one action happened immediately after another action.
This type of sentence is frequently tested in advanced grammar sections of SSC CGL, CDS, NDA, and Banking examinations.
Step 1: Identify Sentence Type
The sentence gives information.
Therefore, it is an:
Assertive Sentence
Use:
That
Step 2: Reporting Verb
The reporting verb:
said
remains unchanged.
Therefore:
The professor said that…
Step 3: Understand No Sooner Structure
Rule:
No sooner + had + subject + V³ + than + subject + V²
Example:
No sooner had I reached than it started raining.
Meaning:
Immediately after I reached, it started raining.
Step 4: Tense Change
The first action:
had begun
is already Past Perfect.
It remains unchanged.
The second action:
stopped
changes into:
had stopped
because both actions are completed in the past.
Tense Table
Direct Indirect
had begun had begun
stopped had stopped
Step 5: Why Does “Stopped” Become “Had Stopped”?
Because the reporting verb is past and the sequence of events is being reported.
Both actions happened before the time of reporting.
Therefore, Past Perfect is used.
Common Mistake
❌ No sooner the experiment had begun than the machine stopped working.
Wrong structure.
Correct:
✔ No sooner had the experiment begun than the machine had stopped working.
SSC Exam Tip
Remember these pairs:
No sooner → than
Hardly → when
Scarcely → when
They are always tested with perfect tense structures.
Shortcut Trick
Formula:
No sooner + had + V³ + than + had + V³
Final Answer
The professor said that no sooner had the experiment begun than the machine had stopped working.
Conclusion
Direct and Indirect Narration becomes easy only through regular practice of difficult questions.
The ten advanced examples above closely resemble SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, NDA, CDS, and IBPS PO examination standards. Revise every rule carefully and practice similar questions daily to improve both speed and accuracy.