Reported speech

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What is reported speech?

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Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way of conveying what someone else has said without quoting their exact words.

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How do you change present tense to past tense in reported speech?

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In reported speech, present tense verbs are typically changed to past tense. For example, 'I am going' becomes 'He said he was going.'

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What is the structure of reported questions?

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Reported questions often begin with 'if' or 'whether' for yes/no questions, and the subject and verb are inverted in direct speech.

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How do you report a command or request?

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Commands or requests are reported using verbs like 'ask,' 'tell,' or 'order,' followed by 'to' and the base form of the verb.

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What happens to pronouns in reported speech?

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Pronouns in reported speech often change to reflect the perspective of the speaker. For example, 'I' may change to 'he' or 'she'.

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How do you report a statement in the past tense?

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When reporting a statement in the past tense, the reporting verb is usually in the past tense, and the original statement is adjusted accordingly.

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What is the difference between direct and indirect speech?

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Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, while indirect speech paraphrases the original statement without quoting it directly.

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How do you report a question that begins with 'who'?

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When reporting a question that begins with 'who,' the structure changes to 'who + subject + verb.' For example, 'Who is your friend?' becomes 'He asked who my friend was.'

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What is the role of 'that' in reported speech?

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The word 'that' is often used in reported speech to introduce the reported clause, although it can be omitted.

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How do you report a request using 'may'?

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When reporting a request using 'may,' it changes to 'might.' For example, 'May I leave?' becomes 'He asked if he might leave.'