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Reported Speech: Important Grammar Rules and Examples

Reported speech is a very common aspect of the English language. You use it nearly every day, both in conversations and in writing. This reference covers key sections about reported speech, including what it is, examples, rules, and verb tense changes. You’ll also learn about modal verbs, changes in time and place, and different reporting verbs.

Reported Speech

Verb Tense Changes in Reported Speech

What Is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is simply when you tell somebody what someone else said. You can do this in your writing, or in speech. Reported speech is very different from  direct speech , which is when you show what somebody said  in the exact way that they said it . In reported speech though, you do not need to quote somebody directly.

Instead, you use a reporting verb, such as ‘say’ or ‘ask’. These reporting verbs are used to report the speech to someone else. There are many different reporting verbs that can be used.

In short, reported speech is the linguistic technique that you use to tell somebody what someone else’s  direct speech  was. In reported speech though, you may need to make certain changes to the grammar to make the sentence make sense. Some examples below highlight what needs to be changed.

Reported Speech Examples

When using reported speech, you are usually talking about the past. The verbs, therefore, usually have to be in the past too.

For example :

  • Direct speech:  I’ve lost my umbrella .
  • Reported speech:  He said (that) he had lost his umbrella.

Another example :

  • Direct speech:  She is doing her homework .
  • Reported speech:  He said (that) she was doing her homework.

Table of Changes :

Direct Speech Reported Speech
I am He said he was
I have She said she had
I will They said they would

Reported Speech Rules

Verb tense changes in reported speech.

When the reporting verb is in the present tense, only small changes are needed.

  • Direct speech:  I like dogs.
  • Reported speech:  She  says  she likes dogs.

When the reporting verb is in the past tense, you need to change the tense of both the reporting verb and the main verb.

  • Reported speech:  She  said  she  liked  dogs.

The tenses generally move backward as follows:

Direct Speech Reported Speech
Past Simple
Present Continuous Past Continuous
Past Perfect
Past Simple Past Perfect
Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous
Past Perfect Past Perfect (remains unchanged)

For sentences about the future, you also need to change the future verbs.

  • Direct speech:  I shall leave in a moment.
  • Reported speech:  She said that she would leave in a moment.

Here are the changes for future tenses:

Direct Speech Reported Speech
Will Would
Will be Would be
Will have Would have
Will have been Would have been

Modal Verbs and Reported Speech

Modal verbs also change when used in reported speech.

Direct Speech Reported Speech
Can Could
Could Could (unchanged)
Have to Had to
Must Must/Had to
May Might
Might Might (unchanged)
Should Should (unchanged)
  • Direct speech:  Will I see you later?
  • Reported speech:  He asked if he  would  see me later.

Some modal verbs do not need to change tense because they fit naturally.

  • Direct speech:  I should go to the park.
  • Reported speech:  He told me he  should  go to the park.

Here are both correct and incorrect examples of reported speech for clarity:

  • Reported speech:  He told  me  he should go to the park.
  • Reported speech:  He said he should go to the park.
  • Incorrect reported speech:  He told he should go to the park.
  • Incorrect reported speech:  He said me he should go to the park.

To correct these:

  • Add ‘me’: He told  me  he should go to the park.
  • Remove ‘me’ or add ‘to’: He said he should go to the park or He said  to  me he should go to the park.

Direct and Indirect Speech

Changes in time and place in reported speech.

References to  time  and  place often need to change when you use indirect speech. Here is a useful guide to these changes:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Now Then
Today That day
Here There
This That
Tomorrow The following day/ The next day
Next week The following week/ The week after
Yesterday The previous day/ The day before
Last week The previous week/ The week before
Ago Previously/ Before
Tonight That night

No Change in Verb Tenses in Reported Speech

In some cases,  verb tenses  do not change when you report speech indirectly. Here are the key instances:

  • When the introductory verb is in the present , present perfect , or future .
  • When the reported sentence deals with a  fact  or  general truth .
  • When the reported sentence contains a  time clause .
  • If the verb of the sentence is in the  unreal past  (the  second  or the  third conditional ).
  • The  subjunctive  stays unchanged in the  subordinate clause .
  • Had better ,  could ,  would ,  used to ,  should ,  might ,  ought to , and  mustn’t  remain unchanged.
  • If the speaker reports  something immediately  or  soon after it was said .

Reporting Verbs in Indirect Speech

Reporting verbs are crucial in indirect speech. Here is a list categorized by their usage:

  • Basic Verbs : Tell, say, ask
  • Verb + that + clause : Complain, deny, explain, exclaim, remark, promise, boast, inform somebody, claim, agree, suggest
  • Verb + to + infinitive : Agree, offer, refuse, demand, threaten, promise, claim
  • Verb + indirect object + to + infinitive : Advise, allow, beg, command, encourage, forbid, invite, want, instruct, permit, urge, order, remind, warn
  • Verb + “ing” form : Admit (to), accuse somebody of, apologize for, boast about/of, complain to somebody of, deny, insist on, suggest
  • Verb + how : Explain to somebody

Reported Questions

When converting questions from direct to indirect speech, you follow rules similar to those for statements.  Verbs  used include inquire, wonder, want to know, ask.

Reported Commands and Requests

Commands and requests  in Indirect Speech are formed using the  to-infinitive  and  not to-infinitive . Common reporting verbs include order, shout, demand, warn, beg, command, tell, insist, beseech , threaten, implore, ask, propose, forbid.

Pronoun and tense changes  are needed when shifting from direct to indirect speech.

Reported Speech Video

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Reported Speech – Rules, Examples

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| Candace Osmond

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Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

They say gossip is a natural part of human life. That’s why language has evolved to develop grammatical rules about the “he said” and “she said” statements. We call them reported speech.

Every time we use reported speech in English, we are talking about something said by someone else in the past. Thinking about it brings me back to high school, when reported speech was the main form of language!

Learn all about the definition, rules, and examples of reported speech as I go over everything. I also included a worksheet at the end of the article so you can test your knowledge of the topic.

What Does Reported Speech Mean?

Grammarist Article Graphic V3 2022 10 25T162134.388

Reported speech is a term we use when telling someone what another person said. You can do this while speaking or writing.

There are two kinds of reported speech you can use: direct speech and indirect speech. I’ll break each down for you.

A direct speech sentence mentions the exact words the other person said. For example:

  • Kryz said, “These are all my necklaces.”

Indirect speech changes the original speaker’s words. For example:

  • Kryz said those were all her necklaces.

When we tell someone what another individual said, we use reporting verbs like told, asked, convinced, persuaded, and said. We also change the first-person figure in the quotation into the third-person speaker.

Reported Speech Examples

We usually talk about the past every time we use reported speech. That’s because the time of speaking is already done. For example:

  • Direct speech: The employer asked me, “Do you have experience with people in the corporate setting?”

Indirect speech: The employer asked me if I had experience with people in the corporate setting.

  • Direct speech: “I’m working on my thesis,” I told James.

Indirect speech: I told James that I was working on my thesis.

Reported Speech Structure

A speech report has two parts: the reporting clause and the reported clause. Read the example below:

  • Harry said, “You need to help me.”

The reporting clause here is William said. Meanwhile, the reported clause is the 2nd clause, which is I need your help.

What are the 4 Types of Reported Speech?

Aside from direct and indirect, reported speech can also be divided into four. The four types of reported speech are similar to the kinds of sentences: imperative, interrogative, exclamatory, and declarative.

Reported Speech Rules

The rules for reported speech can be complex. But with enough practice, you’ll be able to master them all.

Choose Whether to Use That or If

The most common conjunction in reported speech is that. You can say, “My aunt says she’s outside,” or “My aunt says that she’s outside.”

Use if when you’re reporting a yes-no question. For example:

  • Direct speech: “Are you coming with us?”

Indirect speech: She asked if she was coming with them.

Verb Tense Changes

Change the reporting verb into its past form if the statement is irrelevant now. Remember that some of these words are irregular verbs, meaning they don’t follow the typical -d or -ed pattern. For example:

  • Direct speech: I dislike fried chicken.

Reported speech: She said she disliked fried chicken.

Note how the main verb in the reported statement is also in the past tense verb form.

Use the simple present tense in your indirect speech if the initial words remain relevant at the time of reporting. This verb tense also works if the report is something someone would repeat. For example:

  • Slater says they’re opening a restaurant soon.
  • Maya says she likes dogs.

This rule proves that the choice of verb tense is not a black-and-white question. The reporter needs to analyze the context of the action.

Move the tense backward when the reporting verb is in the past tense. That means:

  • Present simple becomes past simple.
  • Present perfect becomes past perfect.
  • Present continuous becomes past continuous.
  • Past simple becomes past perfect.
  • Past continuous becomes past perfect continuous.

Here are some examples:

  • The singer has left the building. (present perfect)

He said that the singers had left the building. (past perfect)

  • Her sister gave her new shows. (past simple)
  • She said that her sister had given her new shoes. (past perfect)

If the original speaker is discussing the future, change the tense of the reporting verb into the past form. There’ll also be a change in the auxiliary verbs.

  • Will or shall becomes would.
  • Will be becomes would be.
  • Will have been becomes would have been.
  • Will have becomes would have.

For example:

  • Direct speech: “I will be there in a moment.”

Indirect speech: She said that she would be there in a moment.

Do not change the verb tenses in indirect speech when the sentence has a time clause. This rule applies when the introductory verb is in the future, present, and present perfect. Here are other conditions where you must not change the tense:

  • If the sentence is a fact or generally true.
  • If the sentence’s verb is in the unreal past (using second or third conditional).
  • If the original speaker reports something right away.
  • Do not change had better, would, used to, could, might, etc.

Changes in Place and Time Reference

Changing the place and time adverb when using indirect speech is essential. For example, now becomes then and today becomes that day. Here are more transformations in adverbs of time and places.

  • This – that.
  • These – those.
  • Now – then.
  • Here – there.
  • Tomorrow – the next/following day.
  • Two weeks ago – two weeks before.
  • Yesterday – the day before.

Here are some examples.

  • Direct speech: “I am baking cookies now.”

Indirect speech: He said he was baking cookies then.

  • Direct speech: “Myra went here yesterday.”

Indirect speech: She said Myra went there the day before.

  • Direct speech: “I will go to the market tomorrow.”

Indirect speech: She said she would go to the market the next day.

Using Modals

Grammarist Article Graphic V3 2022 10 25T162624.255

If the direct speech contains a modal verb, make sure to change them accordingly.

  • Will becomes would
  • Can becomes could
  • Shall becomes should or would.
  • Direct speech: “Will you come to the ball with me?”

Indirect speech: He asked if he would come to the ball with me.

  • Direct speech: “Gina can inspect the room tomorrow because she’s free.”

Indirect speech: He said Gina could inspect the room the next day because she’s free.

However, sometimes, the modal verb should does not change grammatically. For example:

  • Direct speech: “He should go to the park.”

Indirect speech: She said that he should go to the park.

Imperative Sentences

To change an imperative sentence into a reported indirect sentence, use to for imperative and not to for negative sentences. Never use the word that in your indirect speech. Another rule is to remove the word please . Instead, say request or say. For example:

  • “Please don’t interrupt the event,” said the host.

The host requested them not to interrupt the event.

  • Jonah told her, “Be careful.”
  • Jonah ordered her to be careful.

Reported Questions

When reporting a direct question, I would use verbs like inquire, wonder, ask, etc. Remember that we don’t use a question mark or exclamation mark for reports of questions. Below is an example I made of how to change question forms.

  • Incorrect: He asked me where I live?

Correct: He asked me where I live.

Here’s another example. The first sentence uses direct speech in a present simple question form, while the second is the reported speech.

  • Where do you live?

She asked me where I live.

Wrapping Up Reported Speech

My guide has shown you an explanation of reported statements in English. Do you have a better grasp on how to use it now?

Reported speech refers to something that someone else said. It contains a subject, reporting verb, and a reported cause.

Don’t forget my rules for using reported speech. Practice the correct verb tense, modal verbs, time expressions, and place references.

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reported speech 3

Reported Speech: Rules, Examples, Exceptions

reported speech 3

👉 Quiz 1 / Quiz 2

Advanced Grammar Course

What is reported speech?

“Reported speech” is when we talk about what somebody else said – for example:

  • Direct Speech: “I’ve been to London three times.”
  • Reported Speech: She said she’d been to London three times.

There are a lot of tricky little details to remember, but don’t worry, I’ll explain them and we’ll see lots of examples. The lesson will have three parts – we’ll start by looking at statements in reported speech, and then we’ll learn about some exceptions to the rules, and finally we’ll cover reported questions, requests, and commands.

Use reported speech to talk about what someone said in the past

So much of English grammar – like this topic, reported speech – can be confusing, hard to understand, and even harder to use correctly. I can help you learn grammar easily and use it confidently inside my Advanced English Grammar Course.

In this course, I will make even the most difficult parts of English grammar clear to you – and there are lots of opportunities for you to practice!

Advanced English Grammar Course

Backshift of Verb Tenses in Reported Speech

When we use reported speech, we often change the verb tense backwards in time. This can be called “backshift.”

Here are some examples in different verb tenses:

Simple present

“I to go home.”

Simple past

She said she to go home.

Present continuous

“I a good book.”

Past continuous

She said she a good book.

Simple past

“I pasta for dinner last night.”

Past perfect

She said she pasta for dinner the night before.

Present perfect

“I just cleaning my room.”

“My mother never to Japan.”

Past perfect

She said she just cleaning her room.

She said her mother never to Japan.

Can/can’t

“I meet with you next Monday.”

“Sorry, I talk now; I’m at work.”

Could/couldn’t

She said she meet with me next Monday.

She said she talk at the moment because she was at work.

Will/won’t

“I pick him up from the airport.”

“I tell anyone your secret.”

Would/wouldn’t

She said she pick him up from the airport.

She said she tell anyone my secret.

Should

“You apologize.”

Should

She said I apologize.

Reported Speech (Part 1) Quiz

Exceptions to Backshift in Reported Speech

Now that you know some of the reported speech rules about backshift, let’s learn some exceptions.

There are two situations in which we do NOT need to change the verb tense.

No backshift needed when the situation is still true

For example, if someone says “I have three children” (direct speech) then we would say “He said he has three children” because the situation continues to be true.

If I tell you “I live in the United States” (direct speech) then you could tell someone else “She said she lives in the United States” (that’s reported speech) because it is still true.

When the situation is still true, then we don’t need to backshift the verb.

reported speech 3

But when the situation is NOT still true, then we DO need to backshift the verb.

Imagine your friend says, “I have a headache.”

  • If you immediately go and talk to another friend, you could say, “She said she has a headache,” because the situation is still true
  • If you’re talking about that conversation a month after it happened, then you would say, “She said she had a headache,” because it’s no longer true.

No backshift needed when the situation is still in the future

We also don’t need to backshift to the verb when somebody said something about the future, and the event is still in the future.

Here’s an example:

  • On Monday, my friend said, “I ‘ll call you on Friday .”
  • “She said she ‘ll call me on Friday”, because Friday is still in the future from now.
  • It is also possible to say, “She said she ‘d (she would) call me on Friday.”
  • Both of them are correct, so the backshift in this case is optional.

Let’s look at a different situation:

  • On Monday, my friend said, “I ‘ll call you on Tuesday .”
  • “She said she ‘d  call me on Tuesday.” I must backshift because the event is NOT still in the future.

Backshift is not necessary when the event is still in the future

Review: Reported Speech, Backshift, & Exceptions

Quick review:

  • Normally in reported speech we backshift the verb, we put it in a verb tense that’s a little bit further in the past.
  • when the situation is still true
  • when the situation is still in the future

Reported Requests, Orders, and Questions

Those were the rules for reported statements, just regular sentences.

What about reported speech for questions, requests, and orders?

For reported requests, we use “asked (someone) to do something”:

  • “Please make a copy of this report.” (direct speech)
  • She asked me to make a copy of the report. (reported speech)

For reported orders, we use “told (someone) to do something:”

  • “Go to the bank.” (direct speech)
  • “He told me to go to the bank.” (reported speech)

The main verb stays in the infinitive with “to”:

  • She asked me to make a copy of the report. She asked me  make  a copy of the report.
  • He told me to go to the bank. He told me  go  to the bank.

For yes/no questions, we use “asked if” and “wanted to know if” in reported speech.

  • “Are you coming to the party?” (direct)
  • He asked if I was coming to the party. (reported)
  • “Did you turn off the TV?” (direct)
  • She wanted to know if I had turned off the TV.” (reported)

The main verb changes and back shifts according to the rules and exceptions we learned earlier.

Notice that we don’t use do/does/did in the reported question:

  • She wanted to know did I turn off the TV.
  • She wanted to know if I had turned off the TV.

For other questions that are not yes/no questions, we use asked/wanted to know (without “if”):

  • “When was the company founded?” (direct)
  • She asked when the company was founded.” (reported)
  • “What kind of car do you drive?” (direct)
  • He wanted to know what kind of car I drive. (reported)

Again, notice that we don’t use do/does/did in reported questions:

  • “Where does he work?”
  • She wanted to know  where does he work.
  • She wanted to know where he works.

Also, in questions with the verb “to be,” the word order changes in the reported question:

  • “Where were you born?” ([to be] + subject)
  • He asked where I was born. (subject + [to be])
  • He asked where was I born.

reported speech 3

Reported Speech (Part 2) Quiz

Learn more about reported speech:

  • Reported speech: Perfect English Grammar
  • Reported speech: BJYU’s

If you want to take your English grammar to the next level, then my Advanced English Grammar Course is for you! It will help you master the details of the English language, with clear explanations of essential grammar topics, and lots of practice. I hope to see you inside!

I’ve got one last little exercise for you, and that is to write sentences using reported speech. Think about a conversation you’ve had in the past, and write about it – let’s see you put this into practice right away.

Master the details of English grammar:

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reported speech 3 Type Example “I speak English.” He says that he speaks English. He said that he spoke English.

→ more on statements in reported speech

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:

Also note that you have to:

  • transform the question into an indirect question
  • use the interrogative or if / whether
TypeExample
“Why don’t you speak English?”
He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
“Do you speak English?”
He asked me whether / if I spoke English.

→ more on questions in reported speech

Type Example
“Carol, speak English.“
He told Carol to speak English.

→ more on requests in reported speech

Additional Information and Exeptions

Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example:

  • main clauses connected with and / but
  • tense of the introductory clause
  • reported speech for difficult tenses
  • exeptions for backshift
  • requests with must , should , ought to and let’s

→ more on additional information and exeptions in reported speech

Statements in Reported Speech

  • no backshift – change of pronouns
  • no backshift – change of pronouns and places
  • with backshift
  • with backshift and change of place and time expressions

Questions in Reported Speech

Requests in reported speech.

  • Exercise 1 – requests (positive)
  • Exercise 2 – requests (negative)
  • Exercise 3 – requests (mixed)

Mixed Exercises on Reported Speech

  • Exercise on reported speech with and without backshift

Grammar in Texts

  • „ The Canterville Ghost “ (highlight direct speech and reported speech)

Reported Speech (Indirect Speech) in English – Summary

How to use reported speech.

If you have a sentence in Direct Speech, try to follow our 5 steps to put the sentence into Reported Speech..

  • Define the type of the sentence (statement, questions, command)
  • What tense is used in the introductory sentence?
  • Do you have to change the person (pronoun)?
  • Do you have to backshift the tenses?
  • Do you have to change expressions of time and place?

1. Statements, Questions, Commands

Mind the type of sentences when you use Reported Speech. There is more detailed information on the following pages.

  • Commands, Requests

2. The introductory sentence

If you use Reported Speech there are mostly two main differences.

The introductory sentence in Reported Speech can be in the Present or in the Past .

If the introductory sentences is in the Simple Present, there is no backshift of tenses.

Direct Speech:

  • Susan, “ Mary work s in an office.”

Reported Speech:

  • Introductory sentence in the Simple Present → Susan says (that)* Mary work s in an office.
  • Introductory sentence in the Simple Past → Susan said (that)* Mary work ed in an office.

3. Change of persons/pronouns

If there is a pronoun in Direct Speech, it has possibly to be changed in Reported Speech, depending on the siutation.

  • Direct Speech → Susan, “I work in an office.”
  • Reported Speech → Susan said (that)* she worked in an office.

Here I is changed to she .

4. Backshift of tenses

If there is backshift of tenses in Reported Speech, the tenses are shifted the following way.

  • Direct Speech → Peter, “ I work in the garden.”
  • Reported Speech → Peter said (that)* he work ed in the garden.
Direct Speech Reported Speech
Simple forms
Simple Present Simple Past
Simple Past Past Perfect
Present Perfect
Past Perfect
will would
Progressive forms
am/are/is was/were
was/were had been
has been
had been

5. Conversion of expressions of time and place

If there is an expression of time/place in the sentence, it may be changed, depending on the situation.

  • Direct Speech → Peter, “I worked in the garden yesterday .”
  • Reported Speech → Peter said (that) he had worked in the garden the day before .
Direct Speech Reported Speech
this evening that evening
today/this day that day
these days those days
now then
a week ago a week before
last weekend the weekend before / the previous weekend
next week the following week
tomorrow the next/following day
here there

6. Additional information

In some cases backshift of tenses is not necessary, e.g. when statements are still true. Backshift of tenses is never wrong.

  • John, “My brother is at Leipzig university.”
  • John said (that) his brother was at Leipzig university. or
  • John said (that) his brother is at Leipzig university.

when you use general statements.

  • Mandy, “The sun rises in the east.”
  • Mandy said (that) the sun rose in the east. or
  • Mandy said (that) the sun rises in the east.

* The word that is optional, that is the reason why we put it in brackets.

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Reported Speech in English Grammar

What is reported speech.

Reported speech is when we repeat what another person has said but instead of using their exact words in quotation marks (direct speech), we use subordinate clause introduced by a reporting verb like the ones below:

Often, we have to change the tense, pronouns and time markers in reported speech.

Learn the rules for writing indirect speech in English with Lingolia’s simple explanation. In the exercises, you can test your grammar skills.

Changing direct speech to reported speech

Changing the tense (backshifting), no change of tenses, questions in reported speech, demands/requests, expressions with who/what/how + infinitive, typical changes to time and place markers.

  • Exercises – Reported Speech
“I’ve prepared a presentation about the product, if you’re interested?”
“I would love to see it. … This product is exactly what my company has been looking for! Is there any room to negotiate on price?”
“I’m happy to hear that. Unfortunately, pricing is fixed.”
“That’s a shame, but I appreciate your transparency. Could you send me a written offer?”
“Yes, I will contact you tomorrow to finalise the details.”

I had an appointment with a new client yesterday. I told him that and he said .
After, he said that and asked .
I said no and he said that .
I said .

When turning direct speech into reported speech, we may have to change all or some of the following:

  • the pronouns
  • information about time and place (see the table at the end of this page)
  • the tense (backshift)

If the reporting verb is in the simple past (e.g. said, told, asked, replied … ), the tense has to be set back by one degree (see the table below). This is known as backshifting .

Direct Speech Reported Speech
simple present simple past
present progressive past progressive
simple past past perfect simple
present perfect simple
past perfect simple
past progressive past perfect progressive
present perfect progressive
past perfect progressive
future with going to was / were going to
future with will conditional (would)
would

The verbs could, should, would, might, must, needn’t, ought to, used to normally do not change.

If the reporting verb is in the simple present (e.g. says, tells, asks, replies … ), then the tense remains unchanged.

While the tense remains unchanged, we often still have to change the verb form to match the new pronouns.

that after a reporting verb

We often omit the word that after a reporting verb, especially in spoken language and informal contexts.

When turning questions into reported speech, we follow the same rules as for declarative sentences: we change the pronouns as well as the time and place markers and backshift the tense as needed.

In addition, we also have to bear in mind the following:

  • instead of that , we use a question word after the reporting verb; if there is no question word, we use whether / if instead
  • questions in reported speech follow declarative sentence word order (subject + verb)
  • we don’t use the auxiliary verb do/did for questions in reported speech; instead, the main verb appears in the simple past without an auxiliary verb
  • put the verb directly after who or what in subject questions.

Questions in reported speech do not end in a question mark.

When turning orders, demands and requests into reported speech, we only need to change the pronouns and the time and place information.

We don’t have to pay attention to the tense – we simply use an infinitive rather than a conjugated verb.

If the imperative is negated, then we use not + infinitive .

To express what someone should or can do in reported speech, we leave out the subject and the modal verb and instead we use the construction who/what/where/how + infinitive .

Direct Speech Indirect Speech
today that day
now then
at that moment/time
yesterday the day before
… days ago … days before
last week the week before
next year the following year
tomorrow the next day
the following day
here there
this that
these those

say vs. tell

The words say and tell are not interchangeable.

  • say = say something
  • tell = say something to someone

Head over to the vocabulary section to learn more about the difference between say and tell .

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The Reported Speech

Mastering Reported Speech

Table of Contents

What is reported speech, direct speech vs reported speech.

Direct speechReported speech
She says: “I like tuna fish.”She says that she likes tuna fish.
She said: “I’m visiting Paris next weekend.”She said that she was visiting Paris the following weekend.
He asked Betty: “Do you like cheese?”He wanted to know if Betty liked cheese.

Different types of reported speech

A. reporting statements, 1- pronouns.

Shifting back tenseDirect speechReported speech
(no backshift)“I poems.”He that he poems.
(backshift)“I poems He that he poems.
Direct SpeechReported Speech

He said: “I happy”

He said that he happy

He said: “I for my keys”

He said that he for his keys

He said: “I New York last year”

He said that he New York the previous year.

He said: ” I here for a long time “

He said that he there for a long time

He said: “They the work when I “

He said that they the work when he “

He said: “I football when the accident “

He said that football when the accident

He said: “I football for two hours.”

He said that football for two hours

He said: “I a newspaper when the light “

He said that he a newspaper when the light

He said: “I the door.”

He said that the door.

He said: “I a Mercedes if I rich”

He said that he a Mercedes if he rich

3. Modal verbs

ModalDirect speechReported speech
can“I do it.”He said that he do it.
may“ I go out?”He wanted to know if he go out.
must“She apply for the job.”He said that she apply for the job.
will“They call you.”He told her that they call her.

4- Place, demonstratives, and time expressions

Direct SpeechReported Speech
Time Expressions
todaythat day
nowthen
yesterdaythe day before
… days ago… days before
last weekthe week before/the previous week
next yearthe following year/the next year/ the year after
tomorrowthe next day/the following day
Place
herethere
Demonstratives
thisthat
thesethose

B. Reporting Questions

Types of questionsDirect speechReported speech
With question words (what, why, where, how…)“Why don’t you speak English?”He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
Without question words (yes or no questions)“Do you speak English?”He asked me whether/if I spoke English.

C. Reporting requests/commands

Direct speechReported speech
“Nancy, do the exercise.”He told Nancy to do the exercise.
“Nancy, give me your pen, please.”He asked Nancy to give him her pen.
Tenses are not relevant for requests, simply use / + verb (infinitive without “to”)
For affirmative use + infinitive (without to) For negative requests, use + infinitive (without to).

D. Other transformations

Main clauses connected with and/but, punctuation rules of the reported speech, can we omit that in the reported speech, list of reporting verbs.

Direct speechReported speech
simple presentsimple past
simple pastpast perfect
present continuouspast continuous
past continuouspast perfect continuous
willwould
shallshould
maymight
cancould
musthad to

reported speech 3

What is Reported Speech and how to use it? with Examples

Published by

Olivia Drake

Reported speech and indirect speech are two terms that refer to the same concept, which is the act of expressing what someone else has said.

On this page:

Reported speech is different from direct speech because it does not use the speaker’s exact words. Instead, the reporting verb is used to introduce the reported speech, and the tense and pronouns are changed to reflect the shift in perspective. There are two main types of reported speech: statements and questions.

1. Reported Statements: In reported statements, the reporting verb is usually “said.” The tense in the reported speech changes from the present simple to the past simple, and any pronouns referring to the speaker or listener are changed to reflect the shift in perspective. For example, “I am going to the store,” becomes “He said that he was going to the store.”

2. Reported Questions: In reported questions, the reporting verb is usually “asked.” The tense in the reported speech changes from the present simple to the past simple, and the word order changes from a question to a statement. For example, “What time is it?” becomes “She asked what time it was.”

It’s important to note that the tense shift in reported speech depends on the context and the time of the reported speech. Here are a few more examples:

  • Direct speech: “I will call you later.”Reported speech: He said that he would call me later.
  • Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?”Reported speech: She asked if I had finished my homework.
  • Direct speech: “I love pizza.”Reported speech: They said that they loved pizza.

When do we use reported speech?

Reported speech is used to report what someone else has said, thought, or written. It is often used in situations where you want to relate what someone else has said without quoting them directly.

Reported speech can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in news reports, academic writing, and everyday conversation. Some common situations where reported speech is used include:

News reports:  Journalists often use reported speech to quote what someone said in an interview or press conference.

Business and professional communication:  In professional settings, reported speech can be used to summarize what was discussed in a meeting or to report feedback from a customer.

Conversational English:  In everyday conversations, reported speech is used to relate what someone else said. For example, “She told me that she was running late.”

Narration:  In written narratives or storytelling, reported speech can be used to convey what a character said or thought.

How to make reported speech?

1. Change the pronouns and adverbs of time and place: In reported speech, you need to change the pronouns, adverbs of time and place to reflect the new speaker or point of view. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I’m going to the store now,” she said. Reported speech: She said she was going to the store then.

In this example, the pronoun “I” is changed to “she” and the adverb “now” is changed to “then.”

2. Change the tense: In reported speech, you usually need to change the tense of the verb to reflect the change from direct to indirect speech. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I will meet you at the park tomorrow,” he said. Reported speech: He said he would meet me at the park the next day.

In this example, the present tense “will” is changed to the past tense “would.”

3. Change reporting verbs: In reported speech, you can use different reporting verbs such as “say,” “tell,” “ask,” or “inquire” depending on the context of the speech. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked if I had finished my homework.

In this example, the reporting verb “asked” is changed to “said” and “did” is changed to “had.”

Overall, when making reported speech, it’s important to pay attention to the verb tense and the changes in pronouns, adverbs, and reporting verbs to convey the original speaker’s message accurately.

How do I change the pronouns and adverbs in reported speech?

1. Changing Pronouns: In reported speech, the pronouns in the original statement must be changed to reflect the perspective of the new speaker. Generally, the first person pronouns (I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours) are changed according to the subject of the reporting verb, while the second and third person pronouns (you, your, yours, he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its, they, them, their, theirs) are changed according to the object of the reporting verb. For example:

Direct speech: “I love chocolate.” Reported speech: She said she loved chocolate.

Direct speech: “You should study harder.” Reported speech: He advised me to study harder.

Direct speech: “She is reading a book.” Reported speech: They noticed that she was reading a book.

2. Changing Adverbs: In reported speech, the adverbs and adverbial phrases that indicate time or place may need to be changed to reflect the perspective of the new speaker. For example:

Direct speech: “I’m going to the cinema tonight.” Reported speech: She said she was going to the cinema that night.

Direct speech: “He is here.” Reported speech: She said he was there.

Note that the adverb “now” usually changes to “then” or is omitted altogether in reported speech, depending on the context.

It’s important to keep in mind that the changes made to pronouns and adverbs in reported speech depend on the context and the perspective of the new speaker. With practice, you can become more comfortable with making these changes in reported speech.

How do I change the tense in reported speech?

In reported speech, the tense of the reported verb usually changes to reflect the change from direct to indirect speech. Here are some guidelines on how to change the tense in reported speech:

Present simple in direct speech changes to past simple in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I like pizza.” Reported speech: She said she liked pizza.

Present continuous in direct speech changes to past continuous in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I am studying for my exam.” Reported speech: He said he was studying for his exam.

Present perfect in direct speech changes to past perfect in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I have finished my work.” Reported speech: She said she had finished her work.

Past simple in direct speech changes to past perfect in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I visited my grandparents last weekend.” Reported speech: She said she had visited her grandparents the previous weekend.

Will in direct speech changes to would in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I will help you with your project.” Reported speech: He said he would help me with my project.

Can in direct speech changes to could in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I can speak French.” Reported speech: She said she could speak French.

Remember that the tense changes in reported speech depend on the tense of the verb in the direct speech, and the tense you use in reported speech should match the time frame of the new speaker’s perspective. With practice, you can become more comfortable with changing the tense in reported speech.

Do I always need to use a reporting verb in reported speech?

No, you do not always need to use a reporting verb in reported speech. However, using a reporting verb can help to clarify who is speaking and add more context to the reported speech.

In some cases, the reported speech can be introduced by phrases such as “I heard that” or “It seems that” without using a reporting verb. For example:

Direct speech: “I’m going to the cinema tonight.” Reported speech with a reporting verb: She said she was going to the cinema tonight. Reported speech without a reporting verb: It seems that she’s going to the cinema tonight.

However, it’s important to note that using a reporting verb can help to make the reported speech more formal and accurate. When using reported speech in academic writing or journalism, it’s generally recommended to use a reporting verb to make the reporting more clear and credible.

Some common reporting verbs include say, tell, explain, ask, suggest, and advise. For example:

Direct speech: “I think we should invest in renewable energy.” Reported speech with a reporting verb: She suggested that they invest in renewable energy.

Overall, while using a reporting verb is not always required, it can be helpful to make the reported speech more clear and accurate

How to use reported speech to report questions and commands?

1. Reporting Questions: When reporting questions, you need to use an introductory phrase such as “asked” or “wondered” followed by the question word (if applicable), subject, and verb. You also need to change the word order to make it a statement. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “What time is the meeting?” Reported speech: She asked what time the meeting was.

Note that the question mark is not used in reported speech.

2. Reporting Commands: When reporting commands, you need to use an introductory phrase such as “ordered” or “told” followed by the person, to + infinitive, and any additional information. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “Clean your room!” Reported speech: She ordered me to clean my room.

Note that the exclamation mark is not used in reported speech.

In both cases, the tense of the reported verb should be changed accordingly. For example, present simple changes to past simple, and future changes to conditional. Here are some examples:

Direct speech: “Will you go to the party with me?”Reported speech: She asked if I would go to the party with her. Direct speech: “Please bring me a glass of water.”Reported speech: She requested that I bring her a glass of water.

Remember that when using reported speech to report questions and commands, the introductory phrases and verb tenses are important to convey the intended meaning accurately.

How to make questions in reported speech?

To make questions in reported speech, you need to use an introductory phrase such as “asked” or “wondered” followed by the question word (if applicable), subject, and verb. You also need to change the word order to make it a statement. Here are the steps to make questions in reported speech:

Identify the reporting verb: The first step is to identify the reporting verb in the sentence. Common reporting verbs used to report questions include “asked,” “inquired,” “wondered,” and “wanted to know.”

Change the tense and pronouns: Next, you need to change the tense and pronouns in the sentence to reflect the shift from direct to reported speech. The tense of the verb is usually shifted back one tense (e.g. from present simple to past simple) in reported speech. The pronouns should also be changed as necessary to reflect the shift in perspective from the original speaker to the reporting speaker.

Use an appropriate question word: If the original question contained a question word (e.g. who, what, where, when, why, how), you should use the same question word in the reported question. If the original question did not contain a question word, you can use “if” or “whether” to introduce the reported question.

Change the word order: In reported speech, the word order of the question changes from the inverted form to a normal statement form. The subject usually comes before the verb, unless the original question started with a question word.

Here are some examples of reported questions:

Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?”Reported speech: He wanted to know if I had finished my homework. Direct speech: “Where are you going?”Reported speech: She wondered where I was going.

Remember that when making questions in reported speech, the introductory phrases and verb tenses are important to convey the intended meaning accurately.

Here you can find more examples of direct and indirect questions

What is the difference between reported speech an indirect speech?

In reported or indirect speech, you are retelling or reporting what someone said using your own words. The tense of the reported speech is usually shifted back one tense from the tense used in the original statement. For example, if someone said, “I am going to the store,” in reported speech you would say, “He/she said that he/she was going to the store.”

The main difference between reported speech and indirect speech is that reported speech usually refers to spoken language, while indirect speech can refer to both spoken and written language. Additionally, indirect speech is a broader term that includes reported speech as well as other ways of expressing what someone else has said, such as paraphrasing or summarizing.

Examples of direct speech to reported

  • Direct speech: “I am hungry,” she said. Reported speech: She said she was hungry.
  • Direct speech: “Can you pass the salt, please?” he asked. Reported speech: He asked her to pass the salt.
  • Direct speech: “I will meet you at the cinema,” he said. Reported speech: He said he would meet her at the cinema.
  • Direct speech: “I have been working on this project for hours,” she said. Reported speech: She said she had been working on the project for hours.
  • Direct speech: “What time does the train leave?” he asked. Reported speech: He asked what time the train left.
  • Direct speech: “I love playing the piano,” she said. Reported speech: She said she loved playing the piano.
  • Direct speech: “I am going to the grocery store,” he said. Reported speech: He said he was going to the grocery store.
  • Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?” the teacher asked. Reported speech: The teacher asked if he had finished his homework.
  • Direct speech: “I want to go to the beach,” she said. Reported speech: She said she wanted to go to the beach.
  • Direct speech: “Do you need help with that?” he asked. Reported speech: He asked if she needed help with that.
  • Direct speech: “I can’t come to the party,” he said. Reported speech: He said he couldn’t come to the party.
  • Direct speech: “Please don’t leave me,” she said. Reported speech: She begged him not to leave her.
  • Direct speech: “I have never been to London before,” he said. Reported speech: He said he had never been to London before.
  • Direct speech: “Where did you put my phone?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked where she had put her phone.
  • Direct speech: “I’m sorry for being late,” he said. Reported speech: He apologized for being late.
  • Direct speech: “I need some help with this math problem,” she said. Reported speech: She said she needed some help with the math problem.
  • Direct speech: “I am going to study abroad next year,” he said. Reported speech: He said he was going to study abroad the following year.
  • Direct speech: “Can you give me a ride to the airport?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked him to give her a ride to the airport.
  • Direct speech: “I don’t know how to fix this,” he said. Reported speech: He said he didn’t know how to fix it.
  • Direct speech: “I hate it when it rains,” she said. Reported speech: She said she hated it when it rained.

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  • English Grammar
  • Reported Speech

Reported Speech - Definition, Rules and Usage with Examples

Reported speech or indirect speech is the form of speech used to convey what was said by someone at some point of time. This article will help you with all that you need to know about reported speech, its meaning, definition, how and when to use them along with examples. Furthermore, try out the practice questions given to check how far you have understood the topic.

reported speech 3

Table of Contents

Definition of reported speech, rules to be followed when using reported speech, table 1 – change of pronouns, table 2 – change of adverbs of place and adverbs of time, table 3 – change of tense, table 4 – change of modal verbs, tips to practise reported speech, examples of reported speech, check your understanding of reported speech, frequently asked questions on reported speech in english, what is reported speech.

Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by oneself or someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the third person view of what someone has said. In this form of speech, you need not use quotation marks as you are not quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message.

Now, take a look at the following dictionary definitions for a clearer idea of what it is.

Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.” The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as “speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as “the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as “the words that you use to report what someone else has said.”

Reported speech is a little different from direct speech . As it has been discussed already, reported speech is used to tell what someone said and does not use the exact words of the speaker. Take a look at the following rules so that you can make use of reported speech effectively.

  • The first thing you have to keep in mind is that you need not use any quotation marks as you are not using the exact words of the speaker.
  • You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech.
Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)
  • You can use verbs like said, asked, requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed, screamed, told, etc. If you are just reporting a declarative sentence , you can use verbs like told, said, etc. followed by ‘that’ and end the sentence with a full stop . When you are reporting interrogative sentences, you can use the verbs – enquired, inquired, asked, etc. and remove the question mark . In case you are reporting imperative sentences , you can use verbs like requested, commanded, pleaded, ordered, etc. If you are reporting exclamatory sentences , you can use the verb exclaimed and remove the exclamation mark . Remember that the structure of the sentences also changes accordingly.
  • Furthermore, keep in mind that the sentence structure , tense , pronouns , modal verbs , some specific adverbs of place and adverbs of time change when a sentence is transformed into indirect/reported speech.

Transforming Direct Speech into Reported Speech

As discussed earlier, when transforming a sentence from direct speech into reported speech, you will have to change the pronouns, tense and adverbs of time and place used by the speaker. Let us look at the following tables to see how they work.

I He, she
Me Him, her
We They
Us Them
You He, she, they
You Him, her, them
My His, her
Mine His, hers
Our Their
Ours Theirs
Your His, her, their
Yours His, hers, theirs
This That
These Those
Here There
Now Then
Today That day
Tomorrow The next day / The following day
Yesterday The previous day
Tonight That night
Last week The week before
Next week The week after
Last month The previous month
Next month The following month
Last year The previous year
Next year The following year
Ago Before
Thus So
Simple Present

Example: Preethi said, “I cook pasta.”

Simple Past

Example: Preethi said that she cooked pasta.

Present Continuous

Example: Preethi said, “I am cooking pasta.”

Past Continuous

Example: Preethi said that she was cooking pasta.

Present Perfect

Example: Preethi said, “I have cooked pasta.”

Past Perfect

Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.

Present Perfect

Example: Preethi said, “I have been cooking pasta.”

Past Perfect Continuous

Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta.

Simple Past

Example: Preethi said, “I cooked pasta.”

Past Perfect

Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.

Past Continuous

Example: Preethi said, “I was cooking pasta.”

Past Perfect Continuous

Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta.

Past Perfect

Example: Preethi said, “I had cooked pasta.”

Past Perfect (No change)

Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.

Past Perfect Continuous

Example: Preethi said, “I had been cooking pasta.”

Past Perfect Continuous (No change)

Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta.

Will Would
May Might
Can Could
Shall Should
Has/Have Had

Here are some tips you can follow to become a pro in using reported speech.

  • Select a play, a drama or a short story with dialogues and try transforming the sentences in direct speech into reported speech.
  • Write about an incident or speak about a day in your life using reported speech.
  • Develop a story by following prompts or on your own using reported speech.

Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written. Check them out.

  • Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in Funny Girl.
  • Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.
  • Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.
  • The judges announced that the Warblers were the winners of the annual acapella competition.
  • Binsha assured that she would reach Bangalore by 8 p.m.
  • Kumar said that he had gone to the doctor the previous day.
  • Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.
  • Jibin told me that he would help me out after lunch.
  • The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.
  • Rahul said that he was drawing a caricature.

Transform the following sentences into reported speech by making the necessary changes.

1. Rachel said, “I have an interview tomorrow.”

2. Mahesh said, “What is he doing?”

3. Sherly said, “My daughter is playing the lead role in the skit.”

4. Dinesh said, “It is a wonderful movie!”

5. Suresh said, “My son is getting married next month.”

6. Preetha said, “Can you please help me with the invitations?”

7. Anna said, “I look forward to meeting you.”

8. The teacher said, “Make sure you complete the homework before tomorrow.”

9. Sylvester said, “I am not going to cry anymore.”

10. Jade said, “My sister is moving to Los Angeles.”

Now, find out if you have answered all of them correctly.

1. Rachel said that she had an interview the next day.

2. Mahesh asked what he was doing.

3. Sherly said that her daughter was playing the lead role in the skit.

4. Dinesh exclaimed that it was a wonderful movie.

5. Suresh said that his son was getting married the following month.

6. Preetha asked if I could help her with the invitations.

7. Anna said that she looked forward to meeting me.

8. The teacher told us to make sure we completed the homework before the next day.

9. Sylvester said that he was not going to cry anymore.

10. Jade said that his sister was moving to Los Angeles.

What is reported speech?

What is the definition of reported speech.

Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.” The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as “speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as “the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as “the words that you use to report what someone else has said.”

What is the formula of reported speech?

You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech. Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)

Give some examples of reported speech.

Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written.

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Reported Speech: How to Use Reported Speech | Useful Rules

One of the most common mistakes when becoming familiar with this type of grammar is not knowing the difference between direct speech and reported speech and the changes related to these types of sentences.

Reported Speech

The reported speech reproduces the words of another person by adapting certain temporal and local references of the original speech to the situation of the speaker, for example, personal pronouns, demonstratives, verb tenses, and adverbs of place or time.

It is characterized by introducing the message that is reproduced with a speaking verb followed by conjunctions that or if. The speaking verb reveals the intention of the speaker to convey what another person has said.

The most frequent speaking verbs are: say, affirm , count, explain, ask, warn, suggest, order, etc.

Direct Speech vs. Reported Speech

Both are the two different ways to transmit what someone has said.

With direct speech, the message is reproduced as we have heard it, in quotes and after a color meanwhile with reported speech the message is reproduced with our words, without commas but using that or if after the verb.

Different Types of Sentences

  • Reported statements : use that before the statement and the reporting verb said or told.
  • Reported questions : use reported verbs like asked, requested, or wanted to know and omit the question mark. Remember that the order in reported questions changes. In the case of yes-no questions use whether or if.
  • Reported requests or commands : use to or not to before the sentence and use verbs like asked, told, ordered, urged, advised, and begged.

Changes When Using Reported Speech

Tense Changes in Reported Speech

In short, the tense changes in the reported speech are made taking into account the verb in the direct speech. The tense changes are:

  • Simple present -> simple past
  • Present continuous -> past continuous
  • Simple past -> past perfect simple
  • Past continuous -> past perfect continuous
  • Past perfect simple -> past perfect simple
  • Past perfect continuous -> past perfect continuous
  • Present perfect -> past perfect simple
  • Present perfect continuous -> past perfect continuous
  • Future simple -> would
  • Future perfect -> would have
  • Present passive -> past passive
  • Present passive continuous -> past passive continuous
  • Can -> could/would be able to
  • May -> might
  • May -> could/ would be allowed to
  • Must -> must/ had to/ would have to
  • Needn’t -> didn’t have to /didn’t need to /wouldn’t have to
  • Shall -> would/should
  • Will -> would

Place, Demonstratives, and Time Expressions

Just as there are certain changes in the verb tenses, you have to make changes in the demonstratives, pronouns , and expressions of time and place.

  • Here -> there
  • There -> there
  • This -> that

Time Expressions

  • Today -> that day
  • Tomorrow -> the next day/ the following day
  • Now -> at that moment/ then
  • At the present -> At the time
  • Present, current -> existing current
  • In one hour -> one hour later
  • Next year -> the following year
  • Days ago -> days before
  • Tonight -> that night
  • In two week’s time -> two weeks later
  • Ago -> before

Pronouns and Demonstratives

  • I -> he, she
  • Me -> him, her
  • My -> his, her, the
  • Mine -> his, hers
  • We -> they
  • Us -> them
  • Our -> their, the
  • Ours -> theirs
  • You -> they, them, their, the
  • Yours -> theirs
  • This -> that, the
  • These -> those, the
  • This book -> that book

Reported Speech | Infographic

Tense Changes in Reported Speech

Other Changes in Reported Speech

Changes in reported speech

Last Updated on October 25, 2023

Some vs. Any: How to Use Some and Any in Sentences

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Reported Speech Exercise 3

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Reported speech

Reported speech is how we represent the speech of other people or what we ourselves say. There are two main types of reported speech: direct speech and indirect speech.

Click on a topic to learn more about reported speech.

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  • 10 Ejemplos de Textos con reported speech: Definición, Que es, Diferencias, Significado y Usos

hace 3 meses

10 Ejemplos de Textos con reported speech: Definición, Que es, Diferencias, Significado y Usos

En el mundo de la comunicación, hay momentos en que necesitamos expresar lo que otro ha dicho o escrito, pero no siempre podemos recordar exactamente sus palabras. Es en este momento que entra en juego el reported speech, un estilo de escritura que nos permite expresar los pensamientos y palabras de alguien más de manera efectiva y clara. En este artículo, vamos a explorar los conceptos y ejemplos de textos con reported speech, para que puedas dominar este estilo de escritura y comunicarte de manera efectiva.

  • ¿Qué es reported speech?

El reported speech, también conocido como speech reported, se refiere al acto de expresar las palabras o pensamientos de alguien más de manera indirecta. Esto se logra utilizando verbos como dice, afirma, declara o explica, seguidos de las palabras o frases que se desean transmitir. El reported speech es una herramienta valiosa en la escritura, ya que nos permite transmitir la voz de otra persona de manera clara y respetuosa.

  • Ejemplos de reported speech

A continuación, te presento 10 ejemplos de reported speech:

1. Ella le dijo a su amigo: Voy a llegar tarde al partido.

2. Él aseguró que había trabajado duro en su proyecto.

3. La profesora explicó que el tema era muy difícil.

4. El líder político declaró que iba a reducir impuestos.

5. La madre le preguntó a su hijo: ¿Te has lavado las manos?

6. El amigo le dijo a su amiga: Me llamo Juan.

7. La empresaria aseguró que su empresa estaba creciendo rápidamente.

8. El científico explicó que el calentamiento global era un problema grave.

9. La estudiante le dijo a su profesor: No entiendo este concepto.

10. El escritor afirmó que su libro era una obra maestra.

  • Diferencia entre reported speech y direct speech

La principal diferencia entre el reported speech y el direct speech es que el direct speech se refiere a la transcripción literal de las palabras de alguien, mientras que el reported speech se refiere a la expresión indirecta de las mismas. Por ejemplo:

Direct speech: ¿Dónde estás? (pregunta directa)

Reported speech: Le preguntó dónde estaba. (expresión indirecta)

  • ¿Cómo se utiliza reported speech?

El reported speech se utiliza en una variedad de contextos, incluyendo la escritura de artículos, la creación de historias y la comunicación en general. Puedes utilizar este estilo de escritura para:

* Expresar las palabras o pensamientos de alguien más de manera indirecta.

* Crear suspense o misterio en una historia.

* Transmitir la voz de otra persona de manera respetuosa y clara.

  • Concepto de reported speech

El reported speech es un concepto fundamental en la gramática y la comunicación efectiva. Consiste en expresar las palabras o pensamientos de alguien más de manera indirecta, utilizando verbos como dice, afirma, declara o explica. Esto nos permite transmitir la voz de otra persona de manera clara y respetuosa.

  • Significado de reported speech

El reported speech es un estilo de escritura que nos permite transmitir la voz de otra persona de manera indirecta. Esto se logra utilizando verbos como dice, afirma, declara o explica, seguidos de las palabras o frases que se desean transmitir. El reported speech es una herramienta valiosa en la escritura y la comunicación efectiva.

  • Aplicaciones del reported speech

El reported speech se puede utilizar en una variedad de contextos, incluyendo la escritura de artículos, la creación de historias y la comunicación en general. Puedes utilizar este estilo de escritura para expresar las palabras o pensamientos de alguien más de manera indirecta, crear suspense o misterio en una historia o transmitir la voz de otra persona de manera respetuosa y clara.

  • Para qué sirve el reported speech

El reported speech nos permite transmitir la voz de otra persona de manera indirecta, lo que nos permite comunicarnos de manera efectiva y respetuosa. Esto es especialmente útil en la escritura de artículos, la creación de historias y la comunicación en general.

  • Ejemplos de reported speech en la literatura

El reported speech se utiliza ampliamente en la literatura, especialmente en la creación de historias y personajes. Puedes encontrar ejemplos de reported speech en obras de ficción y no ficción, incluyendo novelas, cuentos y ensayos.

  • Ejemplo de reported speech

A continuación, te presento un ejemplo de reported speech:

La periodista le preguntó al presidente: '¿Cómo se siente sobre la crisis económica?' El presidente respondió: 'La crisis económica es un problema grave que requiere una solución urgente'.

  • ¿Cuándo se utiliza el reported speech?

El reported speech se utiliza en una variedad de contextos, incluyendo la escritura de artículos, la creación de historias y la comunicación en general. Puedes utilizar este estilo de escritura para expresar las palabras o pensamientos de alguien más de manera indirecta, crear suspense o misterio en una historia o transmitir la voz de otra persona de manera respetuosa y clara.

  • Como se escribe reported speech

El reported speech se escribe utilizando verbos como dice, afirma, declara o explica, seguidos de las palabras o frases que se desean transmitir. Por ejemplo: Ella aseguró que había trabajado duro en su proyecto. En este ejemplo, aseguró es el verbo que indica que la información es indirecta.

  • Como hacer un ensayo o análisis sobre reported speech

Para escribir un ensayo o análisis sobre reported speech, debes:

1. Investigar sobre el tema y recopilar información relevante.

2. Organizar tus ideas y estructurar tu ensayo o análisis.

3. Utilizar ejemplos y ejercicios para ilustrar tus puntos.

4. Concluir con una conclusión clara y resumida.

  • Como hacer una introducción sobre reported speech

Para escribir una introducción sobre reported speech, debes:

1. Presentar el tema y su importancia.

2. Establecer el contexto y los objetivos del ensayo o análisis.

3. Presentar una pregunta o problema que se busca resolver.

4. Establecer la dirección del ensayo o análisis.

  • Origen de reported speech

El reported speech tiene su origen en la antigua Grecia, donde los escritores utilizaban este estilo de escritura para transmitir la voz de otros personajes en sus obras. Con el tiempo, el reported speech se ha convertido en una herramienta fundamental en la escritura y la comunicación efectiva.

  • Como hacer una conclusión sobre reported speech

Para escribir una conclusión sobre reported speech, debes:

1. Resumir los principales puntos y argumentos presentados.

2. Concluir con una conclusión clara y resumida.

3. Proporcionar recomendaciones o sugerencias para el futuro.

4. Concluir con un llamado a la acción o una pregunta que invite al lector a reflexionar.

  • Sinonimo de reported speech

El sinonimo más común de reported speech es speech reported, que se refiere al acto de expresar las palabras o pensamientos de alguien más de manera indirecta.

  • Ejemplo de reported speech desde una perspectiva histórica

El reported speech ha sido utilizado en la literatura y la comunicación efectiva a lo largo de la historia. Un ejemplo histórico es la obra de William Shakespeare, Hamlet, donde el personaje de Hamlet utiliza el reported speech para transmitir la voz de su padre.

  • Aplicaciones versátiles del reported speech en diversas áreas
  • Definicion de reported speech

El reported speech es un estilo de escritura que se refiere al acto de expresar las palabras o pensamientos de alguien más de manera indirecta. Esto se logra utilizando verbos como dice, afirma, declara o explica, seguidos de las palabras o frases que se desean transmitir.

  • Referencia bibliográfica de reported speech

1. Greenbaum, S. (1996). The Oxford English Grammar. Oxford University Press.

2. Quirk, R., & Greenbaum, S. (1973). A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. Longman Group Ltd.

3. Strunk, W., & White, E. B. (1959). The Elements of Style. The Macmillan Company.

  • 10 Preguntas para ejercicio educativo sobre reported speech

1. ¿Cuál es el significado del reported speech?

2. ¿Cómo se utiliza el reported speech en la literatura?

3. ¿Qué verbos se utilizan para expresar el reported speech?

4. ¿Cómo se escribe un ensayo o análisis sobre reported speech?

5. ¿Qué es el sinonimo más común de reported speech?

6. ¿Cómo se utiliza el reported speech en la comunicación efectiva?

7. ¿Qué es el origen del reported speech?

8. ¿Cómo se escribe una introducción sobre reported speech?

9. ¿Qué es el reported speech en la literatura?

10. ¿Cómo se utiliza el reported speech en la vida diaria?

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Andrew Cuomo slams 'defund the police' movement in fiery church speech: 'Dumbest words ever uttered'

Cuomo endorsed vp harris before launching into a rant against the far-left.

Andrea Margolis

Andrew Cuomo makes rare public appearance on Capitol Hill after years of laying low

Fox News congressional correspondent Aishah Hasnie has more as the former New York governor defends his record for handling the coronavirus pandemic on 'Special Report.' 

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo slammed progressive policies and defended law enforcement in an ardent speech against far-left politics on Sunday.

Speaking at Bedford Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, New York, Cuomo began by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential election, calling her "smart and qualified."

"She is going to unite the Democrats," the former politician said. "She's going to bring a new energy. And because the opponent is Donald Trump and we've seen that and we're not going back there again."

But the Democrat noted that Harris getting into office wouldn't "solve all our problems" because government "isn't working for people on a very basic level," and launched into a six-minute rant against progressive politics.

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBPOENAS ANDREW CUOMO OVER COVID-19 NURSING HOME POLICIES

Split image of Cuomo, defund sign

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo slammed progressive policies during a speech in Brooklyn on Sunday. (Getty mages)

"Things are getting worse, not better," Cuomo continued. "And I think it's time that we take a fresh look and take a new perspective when we look at what's going on."

"Today, we have a great political argument on the Democratic side: Who is more progressive?" he added. "I don't even think they know what the word means, progressive. You cannot be a progressive if you don't make progress."

Cuomo, who served as New York governor from 2011 to 2021, said that the U.S. was "going backwards" thanks to progressive policies.

"Some people think it's progressive to say, ‘Defund the police,’" he noted. "Yes, in theory, if everybody had an education and everybody had a job, nobody would need to commit a crime. I get the theory, but it's not that simple."

HOCHUL AIDE ACCUSED OF WORKING FOR CCP USED POSITION TO PROMOTE 'EQUITY' POLICIES IN RESURFACED VIDEO

Andrew Cuomo in pink tie

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressed a church service Sunday in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)

"'Defund the police' are the three dumbest words ever uttered in politics," Cuomo added.

Cuomo also called out the migrant issue in New York City, saying that the government "can't just have 100,000 migrants coming into New York City and only New York City."

"Nowhere else in the state of New York, only New York City," the Democrat stated. "And leave it all up to New York City to pay for hotels, pay for health care, over $10 billion. No plan by the federal government, no real help from the state."

Cuomo then encouraged the audience to "forget the labels" and remember to vote in November.

Defund the police protest

A participant holding a Black Lives Matter sign at the protest in 2020. (Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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"Remember the only questions that matter: Who is going to help you and your family and who is going to get the job done?" he concluded. 

Andrea Margolis is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. You can follow her on X at @andrea_vacch or send story tips to [email protected] .

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IMAGES

  1. Reported Speech: Important Grammar Rules and Examples • 7ESL

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  2. Reported Speech: A Complete Grammar Guide ~ ENJOY THE JOURNEY

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  3. REPORTED SPEECH 3 -MORE EXERCISES-

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  4. Reported Speech: Important Grammar Rules and Examples • 7ESL

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  5. REPORTED SPEECH: Qué es y cómo usarlo?

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  6. Reported Speech (3)

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VIDEO

  1. Reported speech Part 3 yes / no questions and wh questions

  2. Reported Speech Notes and practice questions.@EnglishAsaLifeskill

  3. Reported speech ڕێزمانی زمانی ئینگلیزی #english #grammar

  4. Reported Speech

  5. The reported speech part 3 : Reporting Commands and Advice in English

  6. Reported Speech Sentences #DirectSpeech #IndirectSpeech #EasyWayToStudy #StudyMotivation

COMMENTS

  1. Reported Speech

    Practise reported speech - clear explanations and lots of exercises.

  2. Reported Speech: Important Grammar Rules and Examples

    Learn about reported speech in English language: what it is, examples, rules, verb tense changes, modal verbs, time/place changes, and reporting verbs.

  3. Reported Speech

    We call them reported speech. Every time we use reported speech in English, we are talking about something said by someone else in the past. Thinking about it brings me back to high school, when reported speech was the main form of language! Learn all about the definition, rules, and examples of reported speech as I go over everything.

  4. Reported Speech: Rules, Examples, Exceptions

    We use "reported speech" to talk about what someone said. Let's learn rules for changing the verb tense, as well as exceptions - plus quizzes!

  5. Reported speech: indirect speech

    Reported speech: indirect speech - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary

  6. Reported Speech

    Reported Speech (Indirect Speech) If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker's exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

  7. Reported Speech (Indirect Speech) in English

    How to use Reported Speech If you have a sentence in Direct Speech, try to follow our 5 steps to put the sentence into Reported Speech..

  8. Reported Speech in English Grammar

    In English grammar, we use reported speech to say what another person has said. In reported speech, we change the tense and pronouns to show that some time has passed. Learn all about reported speech in English with Lingolia, then test your knowledge in the interactive exercises.

  9. The Reported Speech

    Reported speech is when you tell somebody what you or another person said before. When reporting a speech, some changes are necessary.

  10. Reporting Verbs

    In the page about reported speech, we talked about how to change direct speech ("I love coffee") into reported speech (Seonaid said that she loved coffee), using the verbs 'say', 'tell' and 'ask'. However, we can also use many other verbs to report what someone said, like 'promise', 'warn', 'advise' and 'recommend'.

  11. What is Reported Speech and How to Use It? with Examples

    Reported speech is different from direct speech because it does not use the speaker's exact words. Instead, the reporting verb is used to introduce the reported speech, and the tense and pronouns are changed to reflect the shift in perspective. There are two main types of reported speech: statements and questions.

  12. Reported speech

    We use reported speech when we want to tell someone what someone said. We usually use a reporting verb (e.g. say, tell, ask, etc.) and then change the tense of what was actually said in direct speech. So, direct speech is what someone actually says? Like 'I want to know about reported speech'?

  13. Reported Speech

    Reported Speech - Definition, Rules and Usage with Examples Reported speech or indirect speech is the form of speech used to convey what was said by someone at some point of time. This article will help you with all that you need to know about reported speech, its meaning, definition, how and when to use them along with examples. Furthermore, try out the practice questions given to check how ...

  14. PDF Reported Speech

    There is no comma after say in indirect speech. that can usually be omitted after say and tell + object. But it should be kept after other verbs: complain, explain, object, point out, protest etc. Indirect speech is normally used when conversation is reported verbally, though direct speech is sometimes here to give a more dramatic effect.

  15. Reported Speech: How to Use Reported Speech

    Reported Speech The reported speech reproduces the words of another person by adapting certain temporal and local references of the original speech to the situation of the speaker, for example, personal pronouns, demonstratives, verb tenses, and adverbs of place or time.

  16. Indirect speech

    Reported speech - indirect speech. Reporting statements, questions and commands. Reporting verbs. English intermediate grammar exercises.

  17. Reported Speech Exercise 3

    English grammar exercise about reported speech - in this case reported orders and requests

  18. Reported speech

    Reported speech - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary

  19. Reported speech

    Reported speech - or indirect speech. We use reported speech to tell somebody what somebody else said. A2. Pre-intermediate English grammar and exercises.

  20. Reported Speech

    We use reported speech when we say the words of other people. Reported speech is also called indirect speech. 4 important rules to remember when forming the...

  21. 10 Ejemplos de Textos con reported speech: Definición, Que es

    Es en este momento que entra en juego el reported speech, un estilo de escritura que nos permite expresar los pensamientos y palabras de alguien más de manera efectiva y clara. En este artículo, vamos a explorar los conceptos y ejemplos de textos con reported speech, para que puedas dominar este estilo de escritura y comunicarte de manera ...

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    Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called out the far-left during a speech at a Brooklyn church on Sunday, calling the 'defund the police' slogan "the dumbest words ever uttered."

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