Understanding Reported Speech
A Guide to Indirect Speech
Reported speech is used to convey what someone said without quoting their exact words.
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Definition of Reported Speech
Reported speech is used to tell someone what another person said, without using their exact words.
Example: Direct Speech – She said, “I am happy.”
Example: Reported Speech – She said (that) she was happy.
How Tenses Change in Reported Speech
When changing from direct to reported speech, verb tenses usually shift back one step.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Present Simple: “I work hard.” | Past Simple: He said he worked hard. |
| Present Continuous: “She is sleeping.” | Past Continuous: He said she was sleeping. |
| Past Simple: “They visited Paris.” | Past Perfect: He said they had visited Paris. |
Pronoun Changes in Reported Speech
Pronouns often change in reported speech to match the perspective of the speaker.
- Direct: He said, “I love my job.”
- Reported: He said he loved his job.
How to Report Questions
When reporting questions, we use if/whether for yes/no questions and maintain the word order.
Direct: “Are you coming?”
Reported: She asked if I was coming.
How to Report Commands
Commands are reported using to + verb.
Direct: “Close the door!”
Reported: She told me to close the door.
Common Changes in Time and Place References
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Today | That day |
| Tomorrow | The next day |
| Here | There |
Convert the Sentences into Reported Speech
- “I love learning English.”
- “Where is my phone?”
- “Don’t be late!”
Common Errors in Reported Speech
- Forgetting to shift tenses correctly.
- Not changing pronouns.
- Misplacing the word order in reported questions.
Key Takeaways
- Reported speech conveys information without direct quotes.
- Verb tenses, pronouns, and time expressions usually shift.
- Commands use “to + verb,” and questions use “if/whether” or maintain word order.