Reported Speech
Upper Intermediate (B2)en
Reported Speech
Reported Speech: Conveying What Someone Said
Reported speech (also called indirect speech) is used to report what someone else has said, without quoting their exact words. It allows you to summarize, paraphrase, and integrate others’ statements smoothly into your speech or writing.
Using reported speech correctly involves changes in pronouns, verb tenses, time expressions, and word order, depending on when the original statement was made.
1. Direct vs Reported Speech
- Direct speech quotes someone’s exact words, usually inside quotation marks:
Mary said, “I am tired.” - Reported speech conveys the meaning indirectly, without quotation marks:
Mary said that she was tired.
Notice the changes:
- Pronouns adjust to match the speaker in the reporting sentence.
- Verb tense often shifts back (past tense) if the reporting verb is in the past.
2. Reporting Verbs
Different verbs can be used to introduce reported speech, depending on what you want to emphasize:
- say → general statements
- tell → requires an object (someone)
- ask → for questions
- advise, suggest, recommend → for advice or suggestions
Examples:
- He said (that) he was feeling unwell.
- She told me (that) she would arrive late.
- They asked if I could help them.
- My teacher suggested that we revise before the exam.
3. Changes in Verb Tense
When the reporting verb is in the past, the tense in the original statement often moves one step back.
General patterns:
- Present → Past
Direct: “I like pizza.”
Reported: He said (that) he liked pizza. - Present continuous → Past continuous
Direct: “I am studying.”
Reported: She said (that) she was studying. - Present perfect → Past perfect
Direct: “I have finished my homework.”
Reported: He said (that) he had finished his homework. - Past simple → Past perfect
Direct: “I missed the bus.”
Reported: She said (that) she had missed the bus. - Future (will) → would
Direct: “I will call you tomorrow.”
Reported: He said (that) he would call me the next day.
Exceptions:
- If the reporting verb is in the present, no backshift is needed:
Direct: “I am tired.”
Reported: She says that she is tired.
4. Changing Pronouns and Time Expressions
Pronouns and adverbs of time often need to be adjusted in reported speech:
Pronouns:
- I → he/she
- we → they
- you → I/he/she/they (depending on context)
Time expressions:
- now → then
- today → that day
- tonight → that night
- yesterday → the day before
- tomorrow → the next/following day
- next week → the following week
- last week → the previous week
- here → there
Examples:
- Direct: “I will see you tomorrow.”
- Reported: He said that he would see me the next day.
- Direct: “We are leaving now.”
- Reported: They said that they were leaving then.
5. Reporting Questions
Yes/No Questions:
- Use if/whether after the reporting verb:
Direct: “Do you like coffee?”
Reported: She asked if I liked coffee.
Wh-Questions:
- Keep the question word, change tense and pronouns:
Direct: “Where do you live?”
Reported: He asked where I lived.
Important:
- Do not use question order in reported speech. Change word order to a normal statement order.
Incorrect: He asked where do you live.
Correct: He asked where I lived.
6. Reporting Commands, Requests, and Suggestions
- Commands: use tell + object + to + verb
Direct: “Close the window.”
Reported: He told me to close the window. - Requests: use ask + object + to + verb
Direct: “Please help me.”
Reported: She asked me to help her. - Suggestions/Advice: use suggest/recommend/advise + that + subject + verb
Direct: “You should see a doctor.”
Reported: He advised that I see a doctor.
7. Key Takeaways
- Reported speech allows you to relay what someone said without quoting them directly.
- Verb tenses often shift back when the reporting verb is in the past.
- Pronouns and time expressions must be adjusted to match the context.
- Questions, commands, and suggestions have specific reporting structures.
- Careful attention to tense, word order, and pronoun changes avoids common errors.
Mastery tip: When reporting speech, always ask:
- Who said it? → adjust pronouns
- When was it said? → adjust tense and time expressions
- Was it a statement, question, or command? → use correct structure
Related Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with words related to this grammar topic