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SSC CGL English Grammar Narration Notes

Narration (direct and indirect speech) is an important SSC CGL English grammar topic. Learn the 5 steps: find the sentence kind, use the right conjunction, change pronouns, change verbs and time words, and change the reporting verb. Revise the no-change rules and special cases with the free PDF notes and practise them in SSC CGL narration questions.
authorImagePriyanka Agarwal21 Sept, 2026
SSC CGL English Grammar Narration

Narration looks simple, but SSC CGL narration rules confuse many aspirants in the English section. Choosing the right conjunction, changing pronouns and verbs correctly, and knowing when tense should not change can lead to mistakes in direct and indirect speech questions.

The  SSC CGL English Grammar Narration Notes PDF explains the 5-step method, sentence-wise rules, no-change cases, and special cases with solved examples in one place. Aspirants can use it as narration for SSC CGL revision material and practise the rules through SSC CGL narration questions and mock tests.

SSC CGL English Grammar Narration Notes: Topics Covered

Mastering SSC CGL narration grammar requires a structured step-by-step approach. Each sentence conversion follows five core sequential steps:

  1. Identify sentence type: Determine if the reported speech is assertive, interrogative, imperative, optative, or exclamatory.

  2. Select conjunction: Choose appropriate joining words based on sentence classification.

  3. Change pronouns: Convert first person to match the subject. Convert the second person to match the object. Third-person pronouns remain unchanged.

  4. Modify verbs: Shift the main verb or first auxiliary verb to its past equivalent.

  5. Update reporting verb: Adjust words like said or said to based on sentence mood.

Pronoun and Tense Conversion Rules

Tense changes apply when the reporting verb is in the past tense.

 

Direct Speech Tense

Indirect Speech Tense

Simple Present (V1 / V5)

Simple Past (V2)

Simple Past (V2)

Past Perfect (had + V3)

Is / Am / Are

Was / Were

Has / Have

Had

Was / Were

Had been

Can / May

Could / Might

Shall / Will

Should / Would

Time and place adverbs also shift to reflect indirect distance.

Direct Form

Indirect Form

This / These

That / Those

Here / Now

There / Then

Today / Tonight

That day / That night

Yesterday

The previous day

Tomorrow

The next day

Sentence Classification and Conjunctions

Different sentence categories require specific conjunctions and reporting verbs.

Sentence Type

Reporting Verb Change

Conjunction

Assertive

told (with object), said

that

Interrogative (Yes/No)

asked, enquired

if / whether

Interrogative (Wh-word)

asked, inquired

Wh-word itself

Imperative

ordered, advised, requested

to / not to

Optative

wished, prayed, cursed

that (uses might + V1)

Exclamatory

exclaimed with joy/sorrow

that

Download SSC CGL English Grammar Narration Notes PDF

The SSC CGL English Grammar Narration PDF contains the 5-step method, sentence-wise rules, tense change tables, no-change cases, special cases, and solved practice examples for revision.

 

SSC CGL English Grammar Narration Notes

Download Here

How Does This SSC CGL English Grammar Narration Notes PDF Help?

The SSC CGL English Grammar Narration Notes PDF covers the key concepts needed to solve Direct and Indirect Speech questions. From tense and pronoun changes to reporting verbs and special sentence cases, the notes support quick revision and regular practice.

  • Direct to Indirect Speech Rules: Learn the basic rules for converting direct speech into indirect speech with examples.

  • Tense and Pronoun Changes: Revise how tenses, pronouns, and helping verbs change during narration.

  • Reporting Verb Usage: Understand the use of reporting verbs based on the type and meaning of the sentence.

  • Time and Place Word Changes: Practise common changes such as now → then, today → that day, and here → there.

  • Sentence-Wise Narration Rules: Cover assertive, interrogative, imperative, optative, and exclamatory sentences separately.

  • Special Narration Cases: Revise no-change rules, let us, question tags, and Sir/Madam cases for SSC CGL questions.

  • Solved Examples for Practice: Use the examples to identify the correct narration pattern while solving MCQs and mock tests.

SSC CGL English Preparation Resources by PW

Physics Wallah provides SSC CGL English preparation resources covering grammar, vocabulary, notes, practice questions, mock tests, and previous year papers. These resources can help aspirants revise concepts and practise questions regularly.

Feature

Details

Course

SSC CGL Foundation & Target Batch

Mode

Live + Recorded Classes

Study Material

Notes, PDFs & Practice Questions

Practice

Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers

Candidates can also use SSC CGL Online Batches 2026-27 from Physics Wallah for syllabus coverage, grammar and vocabulary practice, and regular question-solving sessions.

Revise direct and indirect speech rules, sentence-wise conversions, and special narration cases with the SSC CGL Narration Notes PDF. Regular practice of these rules can help improve accuracy while solving SSC CGL English questions. 

Related SSC CGL Resources

SSC CGL English Grammar Narration FAQs

What are the parts of direct speech?

Every direct speech has two parts: the reporting verb (outside the inverted commas) and the reported speech (inside the inverted commas).

What are the 5 steps to change direct into indirect speech?

Find the kind of sentence, use the conjunction, change the pronouns, change the verbs and other words, and change the reporting verb.

Which conjunction is used in narration?

That is used for assertive, optative, and exclamatory sentences. To is used for imperative sentences. If/whether is used for interrogative sentences with a helping verb. For wh-word questions, the same wh-word works as the conjunction.

When does the tense not change in indirect speech?

The notes list cases such as a present or future reporting verb, universal truth, habitual action, proverbs, historical facts, sentences beginning with this, and two past clauses in the reported speech.
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