Learning how to use reported speech (also called indirect speech) is essential for effective communication in English. It allows us to convey what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. This article will explain the rules, provide examples, and include exercises to help you master reported speech.
To master reported speech with a lot of examples, visit 100+ Reported Speech Examples.
What Is Reported Speech?
Reported speech is when you report or relay what someone else said, but you do not use their exact words. For example:
- Direct speech: She said, “I am tired.”
- Reported speech: She said that she was tired.
Rules for Reported Speech
When changing from direct to reported speech, there are some important rules to follow:
1. Change in Pronouns
Adjust the pronouns based on the speaker and listener.
- Direct: He said, “I love my car.”
- Reported: He said that he loved his car.
2. Change in Tense
The verb tense usually shifts back one step into the past, called backshifting.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Present Simple: “I go to school.” | Past Simple: He said that he went to school. |
| Present Continuous: “She is working.” | Past Continuous: He said she was working. |
| Present Perfect: “I have seen it.” | Past Perfect: He said he had seen it. |
| Past Simple: “They played football.” | Past Perfect: He said they had played football. |
| Future Simple: “I will help you.” | Conditional: He said he would help me. |
Note: If the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g., He says), backshifting is not necessary.
3. Changes in Time and Place References
Words related to time and place need to be adjusted to fit the context.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| today | that day |
| tomorrow | the next day |
| yesterday | the previous day |
| now | then |
| here | there |
4. Reporting Verbs
Common reporting verbs include said, told, asked, explained, mentioned, etc.
- Said is followed by that (optional):
He said (that) he was coming. - Told requires an object:
He told me that he was coming.
5. Reporting Questions
For yes/no questions, use if or whether. For wh- questions, maintain the question word but remove the question structure.
- Yes/No Question:
Direct: She asked, “Are you coming?”
Reported: She asked if I was coming. - Wh- Question:
Direct: He asked, “Where do you live?”
Reported: He asked where I lived.
6. Reporting Commands and Requests
For commands and requests, use tell or ask with an infinitive (to + verb).
- Command:
Direct: She said, “Close the door.”
Reported: She told me to close the door. - Request:
Direct: He said, “Please help me.”
Reported: He asked me to help him.
Examples of Reported Speech
Here are examples to illustrate various contexts:
Statements
- Direct: “I am learning English,” she said.
Reported: She said that she was learning English.
Questions
- Direct: “What are you doing?” he asked.
Reported: He asked what I was doing.
Commands
- Direct: “Don’t touch that!” he said.
Reported: He told me not to touch that.
Mixed Tenses
- Direct: “I finished my homework yesterday,” she said.
Reported: She said that she had finished her homework the previous day.
Exercises on Reported Speech
Test your understanding with the following exercises.
A. Change the sentences from direct to reported speech.
- She said, “I enjoy reading.”
- He asked, “Where do you live?”
- They said, “We will help you tomorrow.”
- She told me, “Close the window.”
- He asked, “Can you speak French?”
B. Identify the errors in these sentences.
- She said that she will come tomorrow.
- He asked if I am okay.
- They told me that they had finish their work.
- He asked where was I going.
- She said that she loves ice cream.
