Grade 4 Punctuation Worksheets | Worsheets library - Free Printable

To change these sentences from indirect to direct quotations, we need to follow a few simple rules:
1. Add quotation marks around the exact words being spoken.
2. Capitalize the first letter of the quote.
3. Change pronouns if necessary (like changing "she" to "I" if the speaker is talking about themselves).
4. Fix the punctuation: Put commas or periods inside the closing quotation mark.

Here is the step-by-step solution for each sentence:

1. Original: Mitchell said that his bike is broken.
* *Step:* Remove "that". Change "his" to "my" because Mitchell is speaking about himself. Add quotes and a comma after "said".
* *Result:* Mitchell said, "My bike is broken."

2. Original: Abe Lincoln said that everyone should be free.
* *Step:* Remove "that". Add quotes. No pronoun changes needed here.
* *Result:* Abe Lincoln said, "Everyone should be free."

3. Original: Martha explained that her favorite color is blue.
* *Step:* Remove "that". Change "her" to "my". Add quotes and a comma after "explained".
* *Result:* Martha explained, "My favorite color is blue."

4. Original: The actor said to always remember to smile on stage.
* *Step:* This is an instruction. We add quotes around the instruction. Capitalize "Always".
* *Result:* The actor said, "Always remember to smile on stage."

5. Original: My teacher demanded that we study our spelling words every night.
* *Step:* Remove "that". Change "we" to "you" and "our" to "your" because the teacher is talking to the students.
* *Result:* My teacher demanded, "Study your spelling words every night."

6. Original: Principal Rogers told the students to arrive to school on time.
* *Step:* Turn the command into a quote. Capitalize "Arrive".
* *Result:* Principal Rogers told the students, "Arrive to school on time."

7. Original: The kids yelled that recess is the best part of the day.
* *Step:* Remove "that". Add quotes. Since they are yelling, you can keep "yelled" or use an exclamation point inside the quotes.
* *Result:* The kids yelled, "Recess is the best part of the day!"

8. Original: Lisa said that she was going to visit Washington, D. C. for vacation.
* *Step:* Remove "that". Change "she" to "I" and "was" to "am" (or keep "was" if reporting past tense, but direct speech usually uses present/future intent like "am going"). Let's stick to the most natural direct speech: "I am going..."
* *Result:* Lisa said, "I am going to visit Washington, D.C. for vacation."

Final Answer:
1. Mitchell said, "My bike is broken."
2. Abe Lincoln said, "Everyone should be free."
3. Martha explained, "My favorite color is blue."
4. The actor said, "Always remember to smile on stage."
5. My teacher demanded, "Study your spelling words every night."
6. Principal Rogers told the students, "Arrive to school on time."
7. The kids yelled, "Recess is the best part of the day!"
8. Lisa said, "I am going to visit Washington, D.C. for vacation."