Chapter: Speech
📚 Vocabulary
English Grammar and Composition Classes Nine and Ten
⭐ Most Important Exam Words
direct speech — প্রত্যক্ষ উক্তিindirect speech — পরোক্ষ উক্তিreporting verb — উক্তি প্রকাশকারী ক্রিয়াreported clause — প্রতিবেদিত অংশinverted commas — উদ্ধৃতি চিহ্নpronoun — সর্বনামtense — কালassertive sentence — বিবৃতিমূলক বাক্যinterrogative sentence — প্রশ্নবোধক বাক্যimperative sentence — আদেশসূচক বাক্যexclamatory sentence — বিস্ময়সূচক বাক্যappointment — সাক্ষাতের নির্ধারিত সময়delay — বিলম্বrequest — অনুরোধreply — উত্তর দেওয়াrespond — সাড়া দেওয়াgreet — শুভেচ্ছা জানানোexclaim — আবেগ প্রকাশ করে বলা
📃 Word Formation Rules
► report (verb) → reporting (adjective/participle), reported (adjective/participle)
► say (verb) → saying (noun/participle), said (past form)
► reply (verb/noun) → replied (past form), replying (participle)
► respond (verb) → response (noun), responsive (adjective)
► greet (verb) → greeting (noun), greeted (past form)
► exclaim (verb) → exclamation (noun), exclamatory (adjective)
► interrogate (verb) → interrogation (noun), interrogative (adjective)
► assert (verb) → assertion (noun), assertive (adjective)
► request (noun/verb) → requested (verb/adjective), requesting (participle)
► appoint (verb) → appointment (noun), appointed (adjective)
► delay (noun/verb) → delayed (adjective), delaying (participle)
► horrible (adjective) → horribly (adverb), horror (noun)
1. Speech Fundamentals (8 words)
speech[/spiːtʃ/]nouneasy
Meaning: বক্তব্য; কথন
Alt: কথা বলার ধরন
Example: Her speech was clear and interesting.
Syn: talk, utteranceAnt: silence
💡 Exam tip: Speech means the words spoken by a person; in grammar, it refers to direct or indirect narration.
direct[/dəˈrekt/]adjeasy
Meaning: প্রত্যক্ষ
Alt: সরাসরি
Example: Direct speech gives the speaker's exact words.
Syn: straight, exactAnt: indirect
💡 Exam tip: Direct speech is placed within inverted commas.
indirect[/ˌɪndəˈrekt/]adjeasy
Meaning: পরোক্ষ
Alt: ঘুরিয়ে প্রকাশিত
Example: Indirect speech reports what someone said.
Syn: reported, un directAnt: direct
💡 Exam tip: In indirect speech, inverted commas are removed and pronouns or tenses may change.
report[/rɪˈpɔːrt/]verbeasy
Meaning: জানানো; প্রতিবেদন করা
Alt: অন্যের কথা বর্ণনা করা
Example: We report a speaker's words in indirect speech.
Syn: describe, informAnt: conceal
💡 Exam tip: Report is commonly used with speech, statements, questions and commands.
reporting[/rɪˈpɔːrtɪŋ/]adjmedium
Meaning: প্রতিবেদনকারী
Alt: যে অংশে বক্তার কথা জানানোর ক্রিয়া থাকে
Example: In 'Rina said', 'said' is the reporting verb.
Syn: informing, narratingAnt: unreported
💡 Exam tip: The reporting clause usually comes before or after the reported clause.
reported[/rɪˈpɔːrtɪd/]adjmedium
Meaning: প্রতিবেদিত
Alt: জানানো হয়েছে এমন
Example: The reported speech conveys the original message.
Syn: narrated, recountedAnt: original
💡 Exam tip: The reported clause contains the information being communicated.
statement[/ˈsteɪtmənt/]nouneasy
Meaning: বক্তব্য
Alt: বিবৃতি
Example: The teacher changed the statement into indirect speech.
Syn: remark, declarationAnt: question
💡 Exam tip: An assertive statement generally changes into an affirmative or negative that-clause.
utterance[/ˈʌtərəns/]nounhard
Meaning: উক্তি
Alt: উচ্চারিত কথা
Example: The student's utterance was reported accurately.
Syn: expression, remarkAnt: silence
💡 Exam tip: Use utterance as a formal synonym of spoken words.
2. Reporting Verbs (8 words)
say[/seɪ/]verbeasy
Meaning: বলা
Alt: কোনো কথা প্রকাশ করা
Example: He says that he is ready.
Syn: state, utterAnt: deny
💡 Exam tip: Use say without an object or with 'to': He said that...; He said to me...
tell[/tel/]verbeasy
Meaning: বলা; জানানো
Alt: কাউকে কোনো কথা বলা
Example: She told me that she was ill.
Syn: inform, notifyAnt: mislead
💡 Exam tip: Tell normally takes an object: tell me, tell him, tell them.
ask[/ɑːsk/]verbeasy
Meaning: জিজ্ঞাসা করা
Alt: অনুরোধ করা
Example: He asked me if I knew the answer.
Syn: question, requestAnt: answer
💡 Exam tip: For questions, use if or whether for yes-no questions and the question word for wh-questions.
reply[/rɪˈplaɪ/]verbeasy
Meaning: উত্তর দেওয়া
Alt: জবাব দেওয়া
Example: Mithun replied that she was busy.
Syn: answer, respondAnt: ignore
💡 Exam tip: Reply is often followed by that in reported statements.
respond[/rɪˈspɒnd/]verbmedium
Meaning: সাড়া দেওয়া
Alt: উত্তর দেওয়া
Example: Abid responded that the plan was impossible.
Syn: reply, answerAnt: remain silent
💡 Exam tip: Respond is a formal alternative to reply or answer.
greet[/ɡriːt/]verbeasy
Meaning: শুভেচ্ছা জানানো
Alt: অভিবাদন করা
Example: Boby greeted Probir warmly.
Syn: welcome, saluteAnt: farewell
💡 Exam tip: In narration, 'Hi' or 'Good morning' may be reported with greeted.
shout[/ʃaʊt/]verbeasy
Meaning: চিৎকার করে বলা
Alt: উচ্চস্বরে ডাকা
Example: The boy shouted that he was afraid.
Syn: yell, cryAnt: whisper
💡 Exam tip: Use shouted when the speaker's words are expressed loudly or angrily.
exclaim[/ɪkˈskleɪm/]verbmedium
Meaning: বিস্ময় বা আবেগ প্রকাশ করে বলা
Alt: উচ্ছ্বসিতভাবে বলা
Example: She exclaimed that the view was beautiful.
Syn: cry, proclaimAnt: whisper
💡 Exam tip: Exclamatory sentences may change into exclaimed with joy, sorrow or surprise.
3. Tense and Modal Changes (8 words)
tense[/tens/]nouneasy
Meaning: কাল
Alt: ক্রিয়ার সময় নির্দেশক রূপ
Example: The tense often changes in reported speech.
Syn: verb form, timeAnt: untensed form
💡 Exam tip: After a past reporting verb, present forms generally move one step back.
present[/ˈprezənt/]adjeasy
Meaning: বর্তমান
Alt: এখনকার
Example: The present simple often changes into the past simple.
Syn: current, existingAnt: past
💡 Exam tip: Present simple generally changes to past simple in formal indirect speech.
past[/pɑːst/]adjeasy
Meaning: অতীত
Alt: পূর্ববর্তী সময়ের
Example: The past simple may change into the past perfect.
Syn: previous, formerAnt: future
💡 Exam tip: Past simple usually changes to past perfect when the reporting verb is in the past.
future[/ˈfjuːtʃər/]nouneasy
Meaning: ভবিষ্যৎ
Alt: পরবর্তী সময়
Example: The future idea is expressed with would in many cases.
Syn: later time, prospectAnt: past
💡 Exam tip: Will generally changes to would in reported speech.
would[/wʊd/]verbmedium
Meaning: করত; করবে বলে
Alt: will-এর reported form
Example: He said that he would return soon.
Syn: was willing to, was going toAnt: would not
💡 Exam tip: Would is used as the backshifted form of will.
could[/kʊd/]verbeasy
Meaning: পারত
Alt: can-এর past or reported form
Example: She said that she could solve the problem.
Syn: was able to, might be able toAnt: could not
💡 Exam tip: Can generally changes to could in indirect speech.
might[/maɪt/]verbmedium
Meaning: হতে পারে
Alt: সম্ভাবনা প্রকাশকারী modal
Example: He said that it might rain.
Syn: may possibly, couldAnt: cannot
💡 Exam tip: May often changes to might when the reporting verb is in the past.
perfect[/ˈpɜːrfɪkt/]adjmedium
Meaning: সম্পূর্ণ
Alt: একটি tense-এর নাম, যা সম্পন্ন কাজ বোঝায়
Example: The present perfect often changes into the past perfect.
Syn: complete, finishedAnt: imperfect
💡 Exam tip: Present perfect generally changes to past perfect in reported speech.
4. Pronoun and Time-Place Changes (8 words)
pronoun[/ˈproʊnaʊn/]nouneasy
Meaning: সর্বনাম
Alt: বিশেষ্যের পরিবর্তে ব্যবহৃত শব্দ
Example: Pronouns change according to the speaker and listener.
Syn: substitute word, referentAnt: noun
💡 Exam tip: Change the first person according to the subject and the second person according to the object of the reporting verb.
reference[/ˈrefərəns/]nounmedium
Meaning: উল্লেখ
Alt: নির্দেশ বা সম্পর্ক
Example: Pronoun changes depend on the reference of each person.
Syn: mention, indicationAnt: omission
💡 Exam tip: Identify who each pronoun refers to before changing the sentence.
today[/təˈdeɪ/]adveasy
Meaning: আজ
Alt: বর্তমান দিনে
Example: He said that he was busy that day.
Syn: this day, nowAnt: yesterday
💡 Exam tip: Today commonly changes to that day when the reporting time is different.
tomorrow[/təˈmɒroʊ/]adveasy
Meaning: আগামীকাল
Alt: পরের দিন
Example: She said that she would leave the next day.
Syn: the next day, the following dayAnt: yesterday
💡 Exam tip: Tomorrow changes to the next day or the following day.
yesterday[/ˈjestərdeɪ/]adveasy
Meaning: গতকাল
Alt: আগের দিন
Example: He said that he had arrived the previous day.
Syn: the previous day, the day beforeAnt: tomorrow
💡 Exam tip: Yesterday changes to the previous day or the day before.
now[/naʊ/]adveasy
Meaning: এখন
Alt: এই মুহূর্তে
Example: She said that she was busy then.
Syn: at present, currentlyAnt: then
💡 Exam tip: Now generally changes to then in reported speech.
here[/hɪr/]adveasy
Meaning: এখানে
Alt: এই স্থানে
Example: He said that he lived there.
Syn: in this place, at this placeAnt: there
💡 Exam tip: Here generally changes to there when the place of reporting is different.
ago[/əˈɡoʊ/]advmedium
Meaning: আগে
Alt: পূর্বে
Example: She said that her father had died a few years before.
Syn: previously, beforeAnt: later
💡 Exam tip: Ago commonly changes to before in indirect speech.
5. Sentence Types and Connectors (8 words)
assertive[/əˈsɜːrtɪv/]adjmedium
Meaning: বর্ণনামূলক; ঘোষণামূলক
Alt: যে বাক্যে বক্তব্য প্রকাশ পায়
Example: An assertive sentence makes a statement.
Syn: declarative, affirmativeAnt: interrogative
💡 Exam tip: Assertive sentences usually take that as the joining word.
interrogative[/ˌɪntəˈrɒɡətɪv/]adjhard
Meaning: প্রশ্নবোধক
Alt: প্রশ্ন করার সঙ্গে সম্পর্কিত
Example: An interrogative sentence asks a question.
Syn: questioning, inquisitiveAnt: assertive
💡 Exam tip: Change the question order into statement order in indirect speech.
imperative[/ɪmˈperətɪv/]adjmedium
Meaning: আদেশসূচক
Alt: আদেশ, অনুরোধ বা উপদেশমূলক
Example: An imperative sentence expresses an order or request.
Syn: commanding, directiveAnt: optional
💡 Exam tip: Use to-infinitive after verbs such as ordered, requested and advised.
exclamatory[/ɪkˈsklæmətəri/]adjhard
Meaning: বিস্ময়সূচক
Alt: তীব্র আবেগ প্রকাশকারী
Example: An exclamatory sentence shows strong emotion.
Syn: emotional, emphaticAnt: calm
💡 Exam tip: Change the exclamation into a statement using exclaimed with joy, sorrow or surprise.
whether[/ˈweðər/]advmedium
Meaning: কিনা
Alt: দুটি সম্ভাবনার মধ্যে প্রশ্নসূচক সংযোগ
Example: He asked whether I was ready.
Syn: if, whether or notAnt: certainly
💡 Exam tip: Whether can introduce an indirect yes-no question.
because[/bɪˈkɒz/]adveasy
Meaning: কারণ
Alt: কারণ বোঝাতে ব্যবহৃত
Example: She said that she was late because the bus was slow.
Syn: as, sinceAnt: although
💡 Exam tip: Use because to connect a reported statement with its reason.
that[/ðæt/]adveasy
Meaning: যে
Alt: reported clause যুক্তকারী শব্দ
Example: He said that he was tired.
Syn: the fact that, whichAnt: none
💡 Exam tip: That is often used after said or told, but it may be omitted in informal English.
request[/rɪˈkwest/]nouneasy
Meaning: অনুরোধ
Alt: বিনীতভাবে কিছু চাওয়া
Example: The student made a request to the teacher.
Syn: appeal, pleaAnt: refusal
💡 Exam tip: In indirect speech, 'Please help me' may become requested me to help him.
6. Meaning and Context Vocabulary (8 words)
appointment[/əˈpɔɪntmənt/]nounmedium
Meaning: সাক্ষাতের নির্ধারিত সময়
Alt: নিয়োগ
Example: Probir said that he had an appointment with his doctor.
Syn: engagement, meetingAnt: availability
💡 Exam tip: Appointment is useful for reporting excuses or planned meetings.
delay[/dɪˈleɪ/]nouneasy
Meaning: বিলম্ব
Alt: দেরি
Example: The guide apologized for the delay.
Syn: lateness, postponementAnt: promptness
💡 Exam tip: Delay may be used after words such as apologize, cause and report.
traffic[/ˈtræfɪk/]nouneasy
Meaning: যান চলাচল
Alt: রাস্তায় যানবাহনের প্রবাহ
Example: The driver said that all traffic was suspended.
Syn: vehicles, transportAnt: emptiness
💡 Exam tip: Traffic is an uncountable noun; do not write traffics.
horrible[/ˈhɒrəbəl/]adjeasy
Meaning: ভয়াবহ
Alt: অত্যন্ত খারাপ
Example: The passenger said that the situation was horrible.
Syn: terrible, awfulAnt: pleasant
💡 Exam tip: Horrible often expresses strong negative feeling in an exclamatory report.
hungry[/ˈhʌŋɡri/]adjeasy
Meaning: ক্ষুধার্ত
Alt: খাবারের প্রয়োজন আছে এমন
Example: She said that she was hungry.
Syn: starving, famishedAnt: full
💡 Exam tip: Hungry is an adjective used after be: am hungry becomes was hungry.
fed up[/fed ʌp/]adjmedium
Meaning: বিরক্ত ও অতিষ্ঠ
Alt: কোনো কিছুর জন্য আর ধৈর্য না থাকা
Example: The children said that they were fed up with waiting.
Syn: tired, annoyedAnt: pleased
💡 Exam tip: Fed up is followed by with and a noun or gerund.
pressure[/ˈpreʃər/]nouneasy
Meaning: চাপ
Alt: রক্তচাপ বা মানসিক চাপ
Example: The senior citizen said that his pressure was rising.
Syn: stress, forceAnt: relaxation
💡 Exam tip: In a reported sentence, is rising may change to was rising.
binding[/ˈbaɪndɪŋ/]nounhard
Meaning: বাধ্যবাধকতা
Alt: বন্ধন বা নিয়ম
Example: Mithun said that family bindings still affected her decision.
Syn: obligation, restrictionAnt: freedom
💡 Exam tip: Binding is commonly used to describe rules, duties or social restrictions.
💡 Exam Tips
• First identify the type of sentence: assertive, interrogative, imperative or exclamatory.
• Remove inverted commas when changing direct speech into indirect speech.
• Change the reporting verb according to meaning: said, told, asked, requested, ordered, advised, replied or exclaimed.
• Use told only when the listener or object is mentioned; say does not normally take a direct object without to.
• Change pronouns according to the speaker, listener and person being discussed.
• If the reporting verb is in the past, usually change present simple to past simple and present continuous to past continuous.
• Change present perfect and past simple into past perfect when backshift is required.
• Change will to would and can to could in standard reported speech.
• Change time and place words when necessary: today to that day, tomorrow to the next day, yesterday to the previous day, now to then and here to there.
• In indirect questions, use statement word order and do not use a question mark.
• For yes-no questions, use if or whether; for wh-questions, retain the question word.
• For commands and requests, use object plus to-infinitive; for negative commands, use not to-infinitive.
• Do not change the tense when reporting a universal truth or when the reporting verb is in the present tense.
• Read the whole context before selecting a reporting verb because emotion and intention determine the correct form.
• Check subject-verb agreement after every tense and pronoun change.