📱 Download App

Narration Rules in Bangla – Direct to Indirect Speech with 100+ Examples

📅 Published: July 9, 2026 ⏱️ 15 min read 📚 Grammar ✍️ By Mohammad Yeasin
📑 Table of Contents ▾

1. 📌 Introduction to Narration

Narration is the art of reporting someone's speech. In English grammar, narration has two forms: Direct Speech and Indirect Speech (also called Reported Speech).

Understanding narration is essential for BCS, IELTS, Bank Jobs, and University Admission exams. Approximately 2-3 questions in BCS English and multiple tasks in IELTS Writing test your ability to convert direct speech to indirect speech.

📌 Did You Know? Narration is also called "Reported Speech." In BCS Preliminary exams, 2-3 questions often come from this topic. Mastering narration rules can give you easy marks!

In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover all the rules of narration with 100+ examples in Bangla. Whether you're a beginner or preparing for competitive exams, this guide will help you master direct and indirect speech.

📅 This guide is reviewed and updated regularly. Last update: July 9, 2026

2. 🎯 Direct vs Indirect Speech

What is Direct Speech?

Direct Speech is when we quote the exact words spoken by a person. The exact words are placed inside quotation marks (" ").[reference:1]

Direct: He said, "I am going to school."

What is Indirect Speech?

Indirect Speech is when we report what someone said without using their exact words. The meaning is the same, but the words are changed.[reference:2]

Indirect: He said that he was going to school.

💡 Key Difference: Direct Speech uses quotation marks (" ") and reports the exact words. Indirect Speech does not use quotation marks and reports the meaning in our own words.

Parts of Narration

Every narration has two main parts:[reference:3]

Reporting Verb: He said, "Reported Speech"

↑ Reporting Verb              ↑ Reported Speech

3. 📝 Reporting Verb Rules

The reporting verb changes based on the type of sentence and the presence of an object.

Sentence Type Reporting Verb (Direct) Reporting Verb (Indirect)
Assertive say/said say/said (no object)
tell/told (with object)
Interrogative say/said ask/asked, inquire/inquired, want to know
Imperative say/said order/ordered, request/requested, advise/advised, tell/told
Optative say/said wish/wished, pray/prayed, bless/blessed
Exclamatory say/said exclaim/exclaimed, cry/cried, shout/shouted
📌 Rule: If the reporting verb has an object (e.g., "He said to me"), change "said to" to "told" in indirect speech. If there is no object, "said" remains "said."

Direct: He said to me, "I am happy."

→ Indirect: He told me that he was happy.

(said to → told, because there is an object "me")

Direct: He said, "I am happy."

→ Indirect: He said that he was happy.

(said → said, because there is no object)

4. ⏳ Tense Change Rules

When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported speech changes. If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, the tense does not change.[reference:4]

⚠️ Important: Tense changes only apply when the reporting verb is in the past tense. If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, keep the reported speech in its original tense.
Direct Speech Tense Indirect Speech Tense Example
Present Indefinite Past Indefinite He said, "I go." → He said that he went.
Present Continuous Past Continuous He said, "I am going." → He said that he was going.
Present Perfect Past Perfect He said, "I have gone." → He said that he had gone.
Past Indefinite Past Perfect He said, "I went." → He said that he had gone.
Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous He said, "I was going." → He said that he had been going.
Future Indefinite Future in the Past He said, "I will go." → He said that he would go.
Future Continuous Future Continuous in the Past He said, "I will be going." → He said that he would be going.
Future Perfect Future Perfect in the Past He said, "I will have gone." → He said that he would have gone.
💡 Exceptions: Tense does NOT change when:
  • The reporting verb is in the present or future tense.
  • The reported speech expresses a universal truth, habitual fact, or scientific fact.
  • The reported speech has a past tense that clearly refers to a past time.

Direct: He says, "I go to school."

→ Indirect: He says that he goes to school.

(No tense change because reporting verb is in present tense)

Direct: He said, "The earth is round."

→ Indirect: He said that the earth is round.

(No tense change because it's a universal truth)

5. 🔄 Pronoun Change Rules

Pronouns change according to the subject and object of the reporting verb.

Person Direct Speech Indirect Speech Rule
1st Person I, we, me, us, my, our, mine, ours He, she, they, him, her, them, his, her, their Changes according to the subject of the reporting verb
2nd Person You, your, yours He, she, they, him, her, them, his, her, their Changes according to the object of the reporting verb
3rd Person He, she, it, they, him, her, them, his, her, their He, she, it, they, him, her, them, his, her, their No change
📌 Memory Tip:
  • 1st Person (I, we): Changes according to the subject of the reporting verb.
  • 2nd Person (you): Changes according to the object of the reporting verb.
  • 3rd Person (he, she, it, they): No change.

Direct: I said, "I am happy."

→ Indirect: I said that I was happy.

(1st person "I" changes according to the subject "I")

Direct: He said to me, "You are happy."

→ Indirect: He told me that I was happy.

(2nd person "you" changes according to the object "me" → I)

Direct: He said, "She is happy."

→ Indirect: He said that she was happy.

(3rd person "she" does not change)

6. 📍 Time & Place Changes

Words indicating time and place change when converting direct speech to indirect speech.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech
nowthen
todaythat day
tonightthat night
tomorrowthe next day / the following day
yesterdaythe previous day / the day before
last nightthe previous night
agobefore
herethere
thisthat
thesethose
thusso
hencethence
thencefrom there

Direct: He said, "I will go today."

→ Indirect: He said that he would go that day.

Direct: He said, "I am here."

→ Indirect: He said that he was there.

💡 Note: If the place or time is still relevant at the time of reporting, you may not need to change it. For example, if someone says "I am here" and they are still here when you report it, you can keep "here."

7. 📝 Assertive Sentences

Assertive sentences are statements that declare or assert something. They can be positive or negative.[reference:5]

📌 Rules for Assertive Sentences:
  1. Remove the inverted commas (" ").
  2. Use "that" as the conjunction.
  3. Change the reporting verb (said → told if there is an object).
  4. Change the tense, pronouns, and time/place expressions.

Examples:

Direct: He said, "I am a teacher."

→ Indirect: He said that he was a teacher.

Direct: She said to me, "You are a good student."

→ Indirect: She told me that I was a good student.

Direct: They said, "We have finished our work."

→ Indirect: They said that they had finished their work.

Direct: He said, "I don't like tea."

→ Indirect: He said that he didn't like tea.

Direct: The teacher said, "The earth moves around the sun."

→ Indirect: The teacher said that the earth moves around the sun.

(Universal truth → no tense change)

8. ❓ Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences are questions. There are two types: Yes/No questions and Wh-questions.[reference:6]

📌 Rules for Interrogative Sentences:
  1. Remove the inverted commas (" ").
  2. Change the reporting verb to "asked", "inquired", or "wanted to know".
  3. For Wh-questions (what, where, when, why, how, etc.), use the question word as the conjunction.
  4. For Yes/No questions, use "if" or "whether" as the conjunction.
  5. Change the question into a statement (subject + verb).
  6. Change the tense, pronouns, and time/place expressions.

Wh-Questions:

Direct: He said, "What is your name?"

→ Indirect: He asked what my name was.

Direct: She said to me, "Where are you going?"

→ Indirect: She asked me where I was going.

Direct: He said, "Why are you late?"

→ Indirect: He asked why I was late.

Yes/No Questions:

Direct: He said, "Do you like coffee?"

→ Indirect: He asked if I liked coffee.

Direct: She said to me, "Are you coming?"

→ Indirect: She asked me whether I was coming.

Direct: He said, "Did you finish your homework?"

→ Indirect: He asked if I had finished my homework.

9. 🛑 Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences express commands, requests, advice, or suggestions.

📌 Rules for Imperative Sentences:
  1. Remove the inverted commas (" ").
  2. Change the reporting verb to "ordered", "requested", "advised", "told", etc.
  3. Use "to" before the verb for positive commands.
  4. Use "not to" before the verb for negative commands.
  5. The verb takes the base form (V1).

Positive Imperative:

Direct: He said, "Open the door."

→ Indirect: He ordered to open the door.

Direct: She said to me, "Please help me."

→ Indirect: She requested me to help her.

Direct: The doctor said, "Take rest."

→ Indirect: The doctor advised to take rest.

Negative Imperative:

Direct: He said, "Don't make noise."

→ Indirect: He ordered not to make noise.

Direct: She said to me, "Don't be late."

→ Indirect: She told me not to be late.

Direct: He said, "Never tell a lie."

→ Indirect: He advised never to tell a lie.

10. 🙏 Optative Sentences

Optative sentences express wishes, prayers, or blessings. They often start with "May" or "Would that."

📌 Rules for Optative Sentences:
  1. Remove the inverted commas (" ").
  2. Change the reporting verb to "wished", "prayed", or "blessed".
  3. Use "that" as the conjunction.
  4. Change the sentence to an assertive form using "might" or "may".

Direct: He said, "May you live long."

→ Indirect: He wished that I might live long.

Direct: She said, "May Allah bless you."

→ Indirect: She prayed that Allah might bless me.

Direct: He said, "Would that I were rich!"

→ Indirect: He wished that he were rich.

11. 😲 Exclamatory Sentences

Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions like joy, sorrow, surprise, or anger.

📌 Rules for Exclamatory Sentences:
  1. Remove the inverted commas (" ").
  2. Change the reporting verb to "exclaimed", "cried out", or "shouted".
  3. Use "that" as the conjunction.
  4. Change the exclamation to an assertive form using "very", "great", etc.

Joy (Hurrah!):

Direct: He said, "Hurrah! I have passed."

→ Indirect: He exclaimed with joy that he had passed.

Direct: She said, "Hurrah! We have won."

→ Indirect: She exclaimed with joy that they had won.

Sorrow (Alas!):

Direct: He said, "Alas! I am undone."

→ Indirect: He exclaimed with sorrow that he was undone.

Direct: She said, "Alas! I have lost my purse."

→ Indirect: She exclaimed with sorrow that she had lost her purse.

Surprise (Wow! / What a...!):

Direct: He said, "What a beautiful girl!"

→ Indirect: He exclaimed with surprise that the girl was very beautiful.

Direct: She said, "Wow! This is amazing."

→ Indirect: She exclaimed with wonder that that was amazing.

12. 📖 Passage Narration

Passage narration involves converting an entire passage with multiple sentences from direct to indirect speech.[reference:7]

📌 Rules for Passage Narration:
  1. Read the entire passage to understand the context.
  2. Identify the speaker, listener, and the mood of the verbs.
  3. Apply the rules for each sentence individually.
  4. Maintain logical sequence and coherence.[reference:8]

Direct: The teacher said, "Where are you going, Rahim? Bring your book. Don't waste time."

→ Indirect: The teacher asked Rahim where he was going. He ordered him to bring his book and advised him not to waste time.

Direct: He said to me, "Do you know the way? I need to go to the station."

→ Indirect: He asked me if I knew the way and said that he needed to go to the station.

💡 Tip: In passage narration, if the same speaker says multiple sentences, you can combine them using "and" or keep them as separate sentences.

13. ❌ Common Mistakes in Narration

14. 🎯 Practice Questions

Test your knowledge with these 15 practice questions. Answers are provided below.

📝 Instructions: Convert the following direct speech sentences to indirect speech. Write your answers on paper before checking the answer key.
  1. He said, "I am happy."
  2. She said to me, "You are a good student."
  3. They said, "We have finished our work."
  4. He said, "I don't like coffee."
  5. He said, "What is your name?"
  6. She said to me, "Are you coming?"
  7. He said, "Open the door."
  8. She said to me, "Please help me."
  9. He said, "Don't make noise."
  10. He said, "May you live long."
  11. He said, "Hurrah! I have passed."
  12. He said, "Alas! I am undone."
  13. He said, "What a beautiful girl!"
  14. The teacher said, "The earth is round."
  15. He said to me, "Where are you going? Please take me with you."
📝 Click to Reveal Answer Key

1. He said that he was happy.
2. She told me that I was a good student.
3. They said that they had finished their work.
4. He said that he didn't like coffee.
5. He asked what my name was.
6. She asked me whether I was coming.
7. He ordered to open the door.
8. She requested me to help her.
9. He ordered not to make noise.
10. He wished that I might live long.
11. He exclaimed with joy that he had passed.
12. He exclaimed with sorrow that he was undone.
13. He exclaimed with surprise that the girl was very beautiful.
14. The teacher said that the earth is round.
15. He asked me where I was going and requested me to take him with me.

15. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Narration in English grammar? ▾
Narration is the art of reporting someone's speech. It has two types: Direct Speech (quoting the exact words) and Indirect Speech (reporting the meaning without using the exact words).
How many rules are there for changing Direct to Indirect Speech? ▾
There are several key rules: changing the reporting verb, changing tenses, changing pronouns, changing time and place expressions, and changing the sentence structure based on sentence type (Assertive, Interrogative, Imperative, Optative, Exclamatory).
What changes when converting Direct to Indirect Speech? ▾
The main changes include: reporting verb changes (say → tell, said → told), pronouns change according to the subject and object, tenses change (present → past, past → past perfect), and time/place expressions change (now → then, here → there, today → that day).
What is the rule for changing Assertive sentences to Indirect Speech? ▾
For Assertive sentences, remove the inverted commas, use 'that' as the conjunction, change the reporting verb (said → told if there is an object), and change the tense, pronouns, and time expressions according to the rules.
What is the rule for changing Interrogative sentences to Indirect Speech? ▾
For Interrogative sentences, use 'asked' or 'inquired' instead of 'said'. For Wh-questions, keep the question word as the conjunction. For Yes/No questions, use 'if' or 'whether' as the conjunction. Change the question to a statement (subject + verb).
What is the rule for changing Imperative sentences to Indirect Speech? ▾
For Imperative sentences (commands, requests, advice), use 'ordered', 'requested', 'advised', 'told', etc. as the reporting verb. Use 'to' before the verb for positive commands and 'not to' for negative commands. The verb takes the base form (V1).
What is the rule for changing Optative sentences to Indirect Speech? ▾
For Optative sentences (wishes, prayers), use 'wished', 'prayed', 'blessed', etc. as the reporting verb. Use 'that' as the conjunction and change the sentence to an assertive form with 'might' or 'may'.
What is the rule for changing Exclamatory sentences to Indirect Speech? ▾
For Exclamatory sentences (expressions of joy, sorrow, surprise), use 'exclaimed', 'cried out', 'shouted', etc. as the reporting verb. Use 'that' as the conjunction and change the exclamation to an assertive form using 'very', 'great', etc.
What are the rules for changing pronouns in Narration? ▾
First-person pronouns change according to the subject of the reporting verb (I → he/she, we → they). Second-person pronouns change according to the object of the reporting verb (you → him/her/them). Third-person pronouns do not change.
What are the rules for changing time and place expressions in Narration? ▾
Common changes include: now → then, today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, yesterday → the previous day, here → there, this → that, these → those, ago → before, last night → the previous night, etc.

📱 Master Narration with Ovidhan App

Get 12,658+ words, grammar guides, quizzes, and practice tools – all offline. Perfect for BCS, IELTS, and Bank Jobs.

📥 Download Ovidhan Now
✅ 100% Offline ✅ 12,658+ Words ✅ BCS / IELTS / Bank ✅ Smart Flashcards

📢 Share this Narration Rules guide with your friends preparing for BCS, IELTS, or Bank Jobs!