Reported Speech

Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

Statements

​Reported Speech

1. ​add a reporting verb

2. backshift the tenses by one

3. change the pronouns

4. change time and place expressions

​ Direct speech - Indirect /Reported speech

Reported 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.

Direct Speech vs Reported Speech

She said: "I'm visiting Paris next weekend" (Direct)

She said that she was visiting Paris the following weekend. (Reported)

Important!

In reported speech if the reporting verb is in the past form (said, told,…) we have to change the tense (this is called backshift). We often change adverbs of time and place (now, here, today, etc.) because reported speech happens at a later time than the original speech, and perhaps in a different place.

Say or Tell

John said (that) he would be late.

John told me (that) he would be late.

With 'tell' we NEED the object (e.g. 'me', 'you', 'her').

With 'say' we CAN'T use the object (e.g. 'me', 'them', 'us').

Common mistakes

John said me that he would be late. (X)
John told that he would be late. (X)

How do we use Reported Speech?

• Usually, when we report something in the past the verb "goes back" one tense.

• For example: "I have a present"

• Becomes: He said he had a present.

Multiple Choice

Sara said: "I am watching a movie now "

• Sara said I am watching a movie now.

• Sara said that she was watching a movie then.

Multiple Choice

Adam said : " I will visit Agadir next week."

• Adam said that he would visit Agadir the following week.

• Adam said that he will visit Agadir next week.

Multiple Choice

Sara said : " I can swim under water."

• Sara said I can swim under water.

• Sara said that she can swim under water.

• Sara said that she could swim under water.

Multiple Choice

Bob said " I am going to have picnic with my family."

• Bob said that he was going to have picnic with his family.

• Bob said that he was going to have picnic with my family.

Multiple Choice

Tim: "She works in an office"

Tim said (that) she...

• works in an office

• worked in an office

• has worked in a an office

Multiple Choice

Jessica: "I am going to clean the room."

Jessica told me (that) she...

• is going to clean the room.

• was going to clean the room

• is cleaning the room

Multiple Choice

Jeff: "They like the song."

Jeff said (that) they ...

• liked the song

• like the song

• have liked the song

Multiple Choice

Kathy: "He can speak Spanish."

Kathy told us (that) he...

• can speak Spanish

• could speak Spanish

• Will be able to speak Spanish

Multiple Choice

Mum said: " I'm angry with you"

Mum said that .......................... angry with me.

• she is

• she was

• I am

• I was

Multiple Choice

My friend said: " I'll go to the cinema tomorrow."

My friend said that ..................... go to the cinema the next day.

• he will

• he would

• I would

Multiple Choice

“I can drive”, she said.

• She said she could drive.

• She said she can drive.

• She said she could drived.

• She said she could to drive.