Direct and Indirect speech Universal Truth

On this page we shall explain Direct and Indirect speech Universal Truth comprehensively.

Here we shall understand how to convert any sentence with universal truth into indirect speech in simplest possible way.

Our aim is to convey successfully and if we could make our users understand universal truth and its conversion into indirect speech then it shall be a success on our part.

Table of contents

  • 1. What is universal truth
  • 2. Direct and indirect speech universal truth (How to convert)
  • 3. Universal truth sentences examples
  • 3. Direct and indirect speech universal truth rules chart PDF
  • 4. Frequently asked questions
  • 5. Conclusion
  • 6. Watch the video lesson
  • What is universal truth

    First comes first, what is universal truth is the first thing that comes in the minds of the students.

    So let us understand what is universal truth and after that we shall see how it can be converted into indirect speech.

    Use our direct and indirect speech converter and try converting sentences here.

    Direct to Indirect Speech Converter

    For Universal truth sentences

    Write your sentence: Reporting speech of your sentence: Reported speech of your sentence:

    Definition of universal truth sentence

    Universal truth is the sentence that must have the following features;
    1. Undeniable fact
    Examples
    Now see few examples to understand Universal truth as undeniable fact;
    • Sun rises in the East.
    • Stars have their own light and planets don’t have.
    • There are four directions East, West, North and South.
    • Water is tasteless.
    • Universe is matter.
    • Two and two make four.
    • H2O is water.”
    • There are 7 days in a week.
    • Water boils at 100 c.

    2. Anything that cannot be converted into past tense.
    Now see the above examples once again and ask yourself would it be logical to convert them into a past tense.

    Let us examine the above examples of universal truth in this light.

    We said, “Sun rises in the East.”

    And converting it into” Stars have their own light and planets don’t have.”

    You cannot convert it into past. Try all the examples one by one and you will get the point.

    Direct and Indirect speech universal truth (How to convert)

    In this paragraph we shall learn through few very simple steps how to convert universal truth into indirect.
    The steps are as follows.

    Step 01

    The verb of reporting speech (say) shall be converted into “tell”.
    Like: “say” into “tell”, “said” into “told” and “says” into “tells”

    Step 02

    Use the word “that” when you remove comma and inverted commas.
    Like: He said, “Water is tasteless.” (Direct speech) He told that water is tasteless. (Indirect speech)

    Step 03

    The sentence with universal truth remains the same in indirect speech.

    We don’t convert it into past (as mentioned earlier) no matter what is the tense of reporting speech.

    Universal truth sentences examples

    Direct speech: He said, “Water boils at 100 c.”
    Indirect speech: He told that water boils at 100 c.”
    Now we are converting all the above examples of universal truth into indirect speech
    • He said, “Sun rises in the East.”
    He told that sun rises in the East.

    • Our Science teacher said, “Stars have their own light and planets don’t have.”
    Our Science teacher told that stars have their own light and planets don’t have.”

    • My father said to me, “There are four directions; East, West, North and South.”
    My father told me that there are four directions; East, West, North and South.”

    • He says, “Water is tasteless.”
    He tells that water is tasteless.

    • Our teacher says, “Universe is matter.”
    Our teacher tells that universe is matter.

    • She said, “Two and two make four.”
    She told that two and two make four.

    • Mike said, “H2O is water.”
    Mike told that H2O is water.

    • My father said, “There are 7 days in a week.”
    My father told that there are 7 days in a week.

    • He said, “Water boils at 100 c.”
    He told that water boils at 100 c.

    Direct and indirect speech universal truth rules chart PDF

    Direct and indirect speech universal truth rules chart PDF

    Direct and indirect speech general rules chart PDF

    Direct and indirect speech general rules chart PDF

    Frequently asked Questions

    What is universal truth in direct and indirect speech?

    Universal truth is the statement that carries universal fact and moreover that cannot be converted into past.

    For example; Sun rises in the East., There are four directions; East, West, North and South., Water is tasteless., There are 7 days in a week. Water boils at 100 c. etc

    How do you change universal truth to indirect speech?

    There are three simple steps to change universal truth into indirect speech.
    Step 01. The verb of reporting speech (say) is converted into “tell”.
    Step 02. In indirect speech the word “that” is used when comma and inverted commas are removed.
    Step 03. We don’t make any changes in the sentence with universal truth in indirect speech.

    The sentence remains that same even if reporting speech is in past tense.

    What are examples of universal truths?

    Universal truth is an undeniable fact that cannot be converted into past.

    For example; Two and two make four, Man is mortal, water is colorless, water freezes at zero degree Celsius etc.

    What is the rule of direct and indirect speech?

    There are the direct and indirect speech rules:
    Rule 01. The verb of reporting speech (say) converts into “tell”.
    Rule 02. If reporting speech is in present or future the tense of reported speech remains the same.
    Rule 03. If reporting speech is in past, the tense of reported speech changes into past.
    Rule 04. If reported speech is question the verb of reporting speech changes into “ask”. Similarly the other verbs can be used depending on the nature of reported speech for example “request”, “exclaimed with joy”, “exclaimed with sorrow”, “pray”, “advise”, “forbid” etc. for complete information please visit our page of direct and indirect speech.

    Conclusion

    As a result of the comprehensive lesson you have now learnt about direct and indirect speech universal truth.

    You have learnt the following things.

    Firstly, converting universal truth into indirect speech is the simplest of all narrations.

    Secondly, there are only few changes to be made but all outside the statement that carries universal truth.

    Thirdly, the statement of universal truth remains the same and there is no change in it in indirect speech because the universal fact cannot be converted in past.

    In order to learn more about narrations you have to see the following links

    Watch the video lesson