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Exceptions to Backshift in Reported Speech
Now that you know some of the reported speech rules about backshift, let’s learn some exceptions.
There are two situations in which we do NOT need to change the verb tense.
No backshift needed when the situation is still true
For example, if someone says “I have three children” (direct speech) then we would say “He said he has three children” because the situation continues to be true.
If I tell you “I live in the United States” (direct speech) then you could tell someone else “She said she lives in the United States” (that’s reported speech) because it is still true.
When the situation is still true, then we don’t need to backshift the verb.
But when the situation is NOT still true, then we DO need to backshift the verb.
Imagine your friend says, “I have a headache.”
- If you immediately go and talk to another friend, you could say, “She said she has a headache,” because the situation is still true
- If you’re talking about that conversation a month after it happened, then you would say, “She said she had a headache,” because it’s no longer true.
No backshift needed when the situation is still in the future
We also don’t need to backshift to the verb when somebody said something about the future, and the event is still in the future.
Here’s an example:
- On Monday, my friend said, “I ‘ll call you on Friday .”
- “She said she ‘ll call me on Friday”, because Friday is still in the future from now.
- It is also possible to say, “She said she ‘d (she would) call me on Friday.”
- Both of them are correct, so the backshift in this case is optional.
Let’s look at a different situation:
- On Monday, my friend said, “I ‘ll call you on Tuesday .”
- “She said she ‘d call me on Tuesday.” I must backshift because the event is NOT still in the future.
Review: Reported Speech, Backshift, & Exceptions
Quick review:
- Normally in reported speech we backshift the verb, we put it in a verb tense that’s a little bit further in the past.
- when the situation is still true
- when the situation is still in the future
Reported Requests, Orders, and Questions
Those were the rules for reported statements, just regular sentences.
What about reported speech for questions, requests, and orders?
For reported requests, we use “asked (someone) to do something”:
- “Please make a copy of this report.” (direct speech)
- She asked me to make a copy of the report. (reported speech)
For reported orders, we use “told (someone) to do something:”
- “Go to the bank.” (direct speech)
- “He told me to go to the bank.” (reported speech)
The main verb stays in the infinitive with “to”:
- She asked me to make a copy of the report. She asked me make a copy of the report.
- He told me to go to the bank. He told me go to the bank.
For yes/no questions, we use “asked if” and “wanted to know if” in reported speech.
- “Are you coming to the party?” (direct)
- He asked if I was coming to the party. (reported)
- “Did you turn off the TV?” (direct)
- She wanted to know if I had turned off the TV.” (reported)
The main verb changes and back shifts according to the rules and exceptions we learned earlier.
Notice that we don’t use do/does/did in the reported question:
- She wanted to know did I turn off the TV.
- She wanted to know if I had turned off the TV.
For other questions that are not yes/no questions, we use asked/wanted to know (without “if”):
- “When was the company founded?” (direct)
- She asked when the company was founded.” (reported)
- “What kind of car do you drive?” (direct)
- He wanted to know what kind of car I drive. (reported)
Again, notice that we don’t use do/does/did in reported questions:
- “Where does he work?”
- She wanted to know where does he work.
- She wanted to know where he works.
Also, in questions with the verb “to be,” the word order changes in the reported question:
- “Where were you born?” ([to be] + subject)
- He asked where I was born. (subject + [to be])
- He asked where was I born.
Reported Speech (Part 2) Quiz
Learn more about reported speech:
- Reported speech: Perfect English Grammar
- Reported speech: BJYU’s
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- Reported Speech
- Grammar Explanations
Table of Contents
Direct speech and reported speech
Reported speech (also called indirect speech) gives the meaning of what someone said, not the exact words, while direct speech gives the exact words of the speaker, enclosed in quotation marks (or inverted commas.
With reported speech, we do not use quotation marks.
We use that to connect the introduction with the reported words. Using the connecting word that is optional.
- Direct: I am going to help you,” he said.
- Reported: He said (that) he was going to help us.
Introductory verbs
There are certain verbs that we use to introduce reported speech. Here are the most common of them. (More introductory verbs with examples are given below.)
1. say / said
- Direct: “I need a break,” she said.
- Reported: She said (that) she needed a break.
2. tell / told
- Direct: “I need a break,” she said to me.
- Reported: She told me (that) she needed a break.
3. ask / asked
- Direct: “Are you ready?” she asked me.
- Reported: She asked me if I was ready.
Note: Unlike told and asked , with the verb said , we do not mention the person to whom the words were said.
Change of verb tenses
Because speech is often reported after it was said, verb tenses in the original statements change.
Here is a summary of tense changes with examples
Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
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"I swim daily," he said. | He said he swam daily. |
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"I swam daily," he said. | He said he had swum daily. |
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"I am swimming now," he said. | He said he was swimming then. |
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"I was swimming," he said. | He said he had been swimming. |
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"I have already swum," he said. | He said he had already swum. |
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"I had swum," he said. | He said he had already swum. |
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"I will swim tomorrow," he said. | He said he would swim the following day. |
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"I must swim every day," he said. | He said he had to swim every day. |
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"I should swim every day," he said. | He said he should swim every day. |
When not to change verb tenses?
If the speech is reported immediately , the tense does not change.
- Direct: “It is hot these days,” she said.
- Reported: She said it is hot these days.
If the introductory verb used is in the present simple, future simple or present perfect , we do not change verb tense.
- Direct: “This information is confidential.”
- Reported: She says this information is confidential.
- Reported: She has said this information is confidential.
- Reported: She will say this information is confidential.
In addition, tense does not change when we talk about general truths, permanent states, and conditions .
- Direct: He said, “Earth travels around the sun. ”
- Reported: He said Earth travels around the sun.
We do not change verb tense when we report wishes, preferences, and unreal past.
- Direct: He said, “I wish I could fly. ”
- Reported: He said he wishes he could fly.
⇔ Try this quiz on reporting statements.
How to report imperatives
To report imperative verbs (commands, requests, suggestions), we use an infinitive verb and we use tell / told or ask / asked , but not say / said.
Other verbs that can be used to report imperatives are: a dvise, order, beg, etc.
- Direct: “ Open the door.”
- Reported: He told me to open the door.
- Direct: “Will you pass the salt, please?”
- Reported: He asked me to pass the salt.
- Direct: “ Forgive my son, please.”
- Reported: He begged me to forgive his son.
To report a negative imperative, we use not to infinitive .
- Direct: “ Don’t open this document.”
- Reported: He ordered them not to open that document.
With the verb suggest, we use that-clause or verb-ing.
- Direct: “I suggest that you go to the doctor.”
- Reported: He suggested that I (should) go to the doctor.
- Direct: “I suggest that you take a home remedy.”
- Reported: He suggested taking a home remedy.
⇔ Take a quiz on how to report imperatives.
How to report questions
When we report questions we change the helping verb-subject order to subject-helping verb/verb .
We follow the same rules of tense changes.
Yes/No questions
We use if or whether to connect the introduction with reported words.
- Direct: “ Are you tired?”
- Reported: He asked me if I was tired.
- Direct: “ Does she eat tuna fish?”
- Reported: He asked me if she ate tuna fish.
- Direct: “ Did they arrive ?”
- Reported: He asked me if they had arrived .
- Direct: “ Has she resigned ?”
- Reported: He asked me whether she had resigned or not.
Wh-questions
- Direct: “What are you doing ?”
- Reported: He wanted to know what I was doing .
- Direct: “When will they arrive ?”
- Reported: He wanted to know when they would arrive.
- Direct: “What has she eaten ?”
- Reported: He wanted to know what she had eaten.
- Direct: “When do they wake up ?”
- Reported: He wanted to know when they woke up .
- Direct: “Why did they leave early?”
- Reported: He wanted to know why they had left early.
⇔ Take a quiz on how to report questions.
Change of time expressions
Because the time of reported speech is later than that of direct speech, time reference will be different. As a result, time expressions in reported speech change according to the context.
This is a table of the most common time expressions and how they change.
Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
tonight, today, this week / month / year | that night, that day, that week / month / year |
now | then, at the time, at once, immediately |
yesterday, last night / week / month / year | the day before. the previous night / week / month / year |
tomorrow | the following day, the day after, the next day |
next week/month/year | the following / the next week / month / year |
two days / weeks / months / years ago | two days/ weeks / months / years before |
Special introductory verbs
Sometimes we use verbs other than say , tell , ask to introduce reported speech. We need to choose an appropriate reporting verb because each verb expresses how the reporting person interprets the speech. Here are some of these verbs with examples.
advise somebody to infinitive
- “ You should visit the doctor.”
- She advised me to visit a doctor.
accuse somebody of verb-ing
- “ You spoiled my plan.”
- She accused me of spoiling her plan.
admit verb-ing
- “ I broke the screen.”
- She admitted breaking the screen.
apologize for + verb-ing
- “ I apologize for breaking the screen.”
- She apologized for breaking the screen.
- “ I was the one who developed the app.”
- She boasted that she had developed the app.
- “ I fixed the errors in the program.”
- She claimed that she had fixed the errors in the program.
complain that
- “ The place is not clean.”
- She complained that the place was not clean.
demand that
- “Pull down the curtains immediately.”
- She demanded that I should pull down the curtains immediately.
deny verb-ing
- “ I didn’t use your laptop.”
- She denied using (or having used) my laptop.
encourage somebody to infinitive
- “ You should read more about the topic.”
- She encouraged me to read more about the topic.
inform somebody that
- “ The parental meeting will be tomorrow.”
- She informed us that the parental meeting would be the following day.
insist that
- “ You have to pay immediately.”
- She insisted that I had to pay immediately.
refuse to infinitive
- “ I won’t let you use my car.”
- She refused to lend me her car.
remind somebody to
- “ Remember to switch off the lights.”
- She reminded me to switch off the lights.
- “ Our company ranking has improved.”
- The manager stated that the company ranking had improved.
threaten to infinitive
- “ If you keep annoying me, I will tell the teacher.”
- She threatened to tell the teacher if he kept annoying her.
suggest verb-ing
- “ Why don’t you try the new software?”
- She suggested trying the new software.
warn somebody to infinitive
- “ Don’t throw the ball.”
- She warned him not to throw the ball.
More resources on the Site:
Reported Speech (Statements) Quiz
Verb Tenses: A Complete Guide
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- Lesson 1: Present simple with 'do' for emphasis (1:15)
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- Exercise - Make and let + infinitive
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- Lesson 1: Nouns that are always plural (2:37)
- Exercise - Nouns that are always plural
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- Exercise - Collective nouns with singular or plural verbs
- Lesson 3: Other / the other / another (3:13)
- Exercise - The other or other?
- Exercise - Another or the other?
- Lesson 4: The and no article with geographical names (1:24)
- Exercise - The and no article with geographical names
- Lesson 5: The with abstract nouns (3:28)
- Exercise - The with abstract nouns
- Section 7 review quiz
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- Lesson 1: 'Such' and 'such a' (0:54)
- Exercise - 'Such' and 'such a'
- Lesson 2: Either (0:43)
- Exercise - Either
- Lesson 3: Both ... and ... (0:34)
- Exercise - Both ... and...
- Section 8 quiz review
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- Lesson 1: How to make the passive (7:06)
- Exercise - The present simple passive
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- Exercise - Passive infinitive introduction (with going to / have to / need to)
- Section 9 quiz review
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- Lesson 1: How to make reported speech (9:13)
- Exercise - Reported speech with the present simple
- Exercise - Reported speech with the present continuous
- Exercise - Reported speech with the past simple
- Exercise - Reported speech with the present perfect
- Exercise - Reported speech with the past continuous
- Exercise - Reported speech with the future simple with 'will'
- Exercise - Reported speech with 'be going to'
- Exercise - Reported speech with the future continuous
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- Lesson 2: Reported speech with modal verbs (1:35)
- Exercise - Reported speech with modal verbs
- Lesson 3: Reported questions with 'ask' (4:19)
- Exercise - reported 'wh' questions with 'ask'
- Exercise - reported 'yes / no' questions with 'ask'
- Lesson 4: Reported requests with 'ask' (2:11)
- Exercise - Reported requests with 'ask'
- Lesson 5: Reported orders with 'tell' (0:58)
- Exercise - Reported orders with 'tell'
- Lesson 6: Time expressions in reported speech (2:01)
- Exercise - Time expressions in reported speech
- Section 10 review quiz
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- Lesson 1: 'Must' and 'can't' for logical necessity (making guesses) about the present (3:39)
- Exercise - 'Must' and 'can't' for logical necessity
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- Exercise - Could / might etc for logical necessity (making guesses) about the present
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- Exercise - Must for recommendations and offers
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- Exercise - 'Ought to' for advice
- Lesson 5: Be supposed to (2:52)
- Exercise - Be supposed to
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- Exercise - Used to + infinitive
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- Exercise - be / get used to
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- Exercise - Modals for politeness
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- Exercise - Where is the relative clause?
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- Exercise - Is the relative pronoun the subject or the object?
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- Exercise - Dropping the relative pronoun
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- Exercise - Reflexive pronouns 1 (reflexive pronoun or object pronoun?)
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- Exercise - 'Was' or 'were' with the second conditional
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- Lesson 1: Order of adjectives (2:48)
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- Lesson 1: Adverbs of focus: even (2:27)
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Lesson 1: How to make reported speech
Here's how it works:
We use a reporting verb like 'say' or 'tell'. If this verb is in the present tense, it's easy. We just put 'she says' and then the sentence:
- Direct speech: "I love coffee."
- Reported speech: She says that she loves coffee.
We don't need to change the tense of the verb 'loves', though probably we do need to change the pronoun from 'I' to 'she', for example. We also may need to change words like 'my' and 'your'.
But, if the reporting verb is in the past tense, then usually we change the tenses in the reported speech.
- Reported speech: She said that she loved coffee.
The verb 'love' changes from the present simple to the past simple ('loved'). This change is called 'backshifting'. It's just a grammatical change – we use it even if the thing is still true in real life.
Here are some more examples.
Present simple positive with 'be' ('am / is' change to 'was' and 'are' changes to 'were').
- Direct speech: "The children are hungry."
- Reported speech: She said that the children were hungry.
Present simple negative with 'be' ('am not / isn't' change to 'wasn't' and 'aren't' changes to 'weren't').
- Direct speech: "Lucy isn't from Brazil."
- Reported speech: She said that Lucy wasn't from Brazil.
Present simple positive with verbs that are not 'be' (present simple changes to past simple)
- Direct speech: "I work in a bank."
- Reported speech: He said that he worked in a bank.
Present simple negative with verbs that are not 'be' ('doesn't / don't' change to 'didn't').
- Direct speech: "The class doesn't start at ten."
- Reported speech: You said that the class didn't start at ten.
Now let's look at the present continuous. It changes to the past continuous.
- Direct speech: "I am going to work."
- Reported speech: She said that she was going to work.
- Direct speech: "I'm not sleeping."
- Reported speech: She said that she wasn't sleeping.
- Direct speech: "Lucy is working."
- Reported speech: She said that Lucy was working.
- Direct speech: "James isn't coming."
- Reported speech: She said that James wasn't coming.
The past simple is a little different. You have a choice! You can keep the past simple as the past simple, with no change. Or you can change it to the past perfect.
- Direct speech: "I went home."
- Reported speech: She said that she went home / had gone home.
- Direct speech: "They didn't meet Lucy."
- Reported speech: She said that they didn't meet / hadn't met Lucy.
- Direct speech: "The laptop broke."
- Reported speech: She said that the laptop broke / had broken.
- Direct speech: "We called Julie."
- Reported speech: She said that they had called Julie.
With the past continuous, we use 'had been + verb-ing'.
- Direct speech: "I was watching TV."
- Reported speech: She said that she had been watching TV.
- Direct speech: "The children weren't sleeping."
- Reported speech: She said that the children hadn't been sleeping.
- Direct speech: "We were chatting."
- Reported speech: She said that they had been chatting.
- Direct speech: "James was studying."
- Reported speech: She said that James had been studying.
With the present perfect, we use 'had + past participle' (the past perfect).
- Direct speech: "I have been to Mexico."
- Reported speech: She said that she had been to Mexico.
- Direct speech: "The students haven't finished the exam."
- Reported speech: She said that the students hadn't finished the exam.
- Direct speech: "Maria has gone out."
- Reported speech: She said that Maria had gone out.
- Direct speech: "He has lost his keys."
- Reported speech: She said that he had lost his keys.
With the past perfect, we don't need to change anything.
- Direct speech: "I had been late."
- Reported speech: She said that she had been late.
- Direct speech: "They hadn't had lunch."
- Reported speech: She said that they hadn't had lunch.
- Direct speech: "The boys had done their homework."
- Reported speech: She said that the boys had done their homework.
- Direct speech: "We had paid for everything."
- Reported speech: She said that they had paid for everything.
With 'will', we change it to 'would'.
- Direct speech: "I will come to the party."
- Reported speech: She said that she would come to the party.
- Direct speech: "They won't help."
- Reported speech: She said that they wouldn't help.
- Direct speech: "It will rain later."
- Reported speech: She said that it would rain later.
- Direct speech: "The children will be tired."
- Reported speech: She said that the children would be tired.
This is the same for the future continuous. We just change 'will' to 'would'.
- Direct speech: "I will be waiting."
- Reported speech: She said that she would be waiting.
- Direct speech: "They won't be coming."
- Reported speech: She said that they wouldn't be coming.
- Direct speech: "It will be snowing."
- Reported speech: She said that it would be snowing.
- Direct speech: "We will be sleeping."
- Reported speech: She said that they would be sleeping.
With 'be going to', we use 'was / were going to'.
- Direct speech: "I'm going to meet David."
- Reported speech: She said that she was going to meet David.
- Direct speech: "They aren't going to travel."
- Reported speech: She said that they weren't going to travel.
- Direct speech: "The students are going to pass the test."
- Reported speech: She said that the students were going to pass the test.
- Direct speech: "We are going to go to bed early."
- Reported speech: She said that they were going to go to bed early.
- English Grammar
- Reported Speech
Reported Speech - Definition, Rules and Usage with Examples
Reported speech or indirect speech is the form of speech used to convey what was said by someone at some point of time. This article will help you with all that you need to know about reported speech, its meaning, definition, how and when to use them along with examples. Furthermore, try out the practice questions given to check how far you have understood the topic.
Table of Contents
Definition of reported speech, rules to be followed when using reported speech, table 1 – change of pronouns, table 2 – change of adverbs of place and adverbs of time, table 3 – change of tense, table 4 – change of modal verbs, tips to practise reported speech, examples of reported speech, check your understanding of reported speech, frequently asked questions on reported speech in english, what is reported speech.
Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by oneself or someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the third person view of what someone has said. In this form of speech, you need not use quotation marks as you are not quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message.
Now, take a look at the following dictionary definitions for a clearer idea of what it is.
Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.” The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as “speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as “the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as “the words that you use to report what someone else has said.”
Reported speech is a little different from direct speech . As it has been discussed already, reported speech is used to tell what someone said and does not use the exact words of the speaker. Take a look at the following rules so that you can make use of reported speech effectively.
- The first thing you have to keep in mind is that you need not use any quotation marks as you are not using the exact words of the speaker.
- You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech.
Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said) |
- You can use verbs like said, asked, requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed, screamed, told, etc. If you are just reporting a declarative sentence , you can use verbs like told, said, etc. followed by ‘that’ and end the sentence with a full stop . When you are reporting interrogative sentences, you can use the verbs – enquired, inquired, asked, etc. and remove the question mark . In case you are reporting imperative sentences , you can use verbs like requested, commanded, pleaded, ordered, etc. If you are reporting exclamatory sentences , you can use the verb exclaimed and remove the exclamation mark . Remember that the structure of the sentences also changes accordingly.
- Furthermore, keep in mind that the sentence structure , tense , pronouns , modal verbs , some specific adverbs of place and adverbs of time change when a sentence is transformed into indirect/reported speech.
Transforming Direct Speech into Reported Speech
As discussed earlier, when transforming a sentence from direct speech into reported speech, you will have to change the pronouns, tense and adverbs of time and place used by the speaker. Let us look at the following tables to see how they work.
| |
I | He, she |
Me | Him, her |
We | They |
Us | Them |
You | He, she, they |
You | Him, her, them |
My | His, her |
Mine | His, hers |
Our | Their |
Ours | Theirs |
Your | His, her, their |
Yours | His, hers, theirs |
| |
This | That |
These | Those |
|
Here | There |
|
Now | Then |
Today | That day |
Tomorrow | The next day / The following day |
Yesterday | The previous day |
Tonight | That night |
Last week | The week before |
Next week | The week after |
Last month | The previous month |
Next month | The following month |
Last year | The previous year |
Next year | The following year |
Ago | Before |
Thus | So |
| |
Simple Present Example: Preethi said, “I cook pasta.” | Simple Past Example: Preethi said that she cooked pasta. |
Present Continuous Example: Preethi said, “I am cooking pasta.” | Past Continuous Example: Preethi said that she was cooking pasta. |
Present Perfect Example: Preethi said, “I have cooked pasta.” | Past Perfect Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta. |
Present Perfect Example: Preethi said, “I have been cooking pasta.” | Past Perfect Continuous Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta. |
Simple Past Example: Preethi said, “I cooked pasta.” | Past Perfect Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta. |
Past Continuous Example: Preethi said, “I was cooking pasta.” | Past Perfect Continuous Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta. |
Past Perfect Example: Preethi said, “I had cooked pasta.” | Past Perfect (No change) Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta. |
Past Perfect Continuous Example: Preethi said, “I had been cooking pasta.” | Past Perfect Continuous (No change) Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta. |
| |
Will | Would |
May | Might |
Can | Could |
Shall | Should |
Has/Have | Had |
Here are some tips you can follow to become a pro in using reported speech.
- Select a play, a drama or a short story with dialogues and try transforming the sentences in direct speech into reported speech.
- Write about an incident or speak about a day in your life using reported speech.
- Develop a story by following prompts or on your own using reported speech.
Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written. Check them out.
- Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in Funny Girl.
- Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.
- Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.
- The judges announced that the Warblers were the winners of the annual acapella competition.
- Binsha assured that she would reach Bangalore by 8 p.m.
- Kumar said that he had gone to the doctor the previous day.
- Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.
- Jibin told me that he would help me out after lunch.
- The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.
- Rahul said that he was drawing a caricature.
Transform the following sentences into reported speech by making the necessary changes.
1. Rachel said, “I have an interview tomorrow.”
2. Mahesh said, “What is he doing?”
3. Sherly said, “My daughter is playing the lead role in the skit.”
4. Dinesh said, “It is a wonderful movie!”
5. Suresh said, “My son is getting married next month.”
6. Preetha said, “Can you please help me with the invitations?”
7. Anna said, “I look forward to meeting you.”
8. The teacher said, “Make sure you complete the homework before tomorrow.”
9. Sylvester said, “I am not going to cry anymore.”
10. Jade said, “My sister is moving to Los Angeles.”
Now, find out if you have answered all of them correctly.
1. Rachel said that she had an interview the next day.
2. Mahesh asked what he was doing.
3. Sherly said that her daughter was playing the lead role in the skit.
4. Dinesh exclaimed that it was a wonderful movie.
5. Suresh said that his son was getting married the following month.
6. Preetha asked if I could help her with the invitations.
7. Anna said that she looked forward to meeting me.
8. The teacher told us to make sure we completed the homework before the next day.
9. Sylvester said that he was not going to cry anymore.
10. Jade said that his sister was moving to Los Angeles.
What is reported speech?
What is the definition of reported speech.
Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.” The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as “speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as “the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as “the words that you use to report what someone else has said.”
What is the formula of reported speech?
You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech. Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)
Give some examples of reported speech.
Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written.
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Reported Speech in English Grammar
What is reported speech, changing direct speech to reported speech, changing the tense (backshifting), no change of tenses, questions in reported speech, demands/requests, expressions with who/what/how + infinitive, typical changes to time and place markers.
- Exercises – Reported Speech
Reported speech is when we repeat what another person has said but instead of using their exact words in quotation marks (direct speech), we use subordinate clause introduced by a reporting verb like the ones below:
Often, we have to change the tense, pronouns and time markers in reported speech.
Learn the rules for writing indirect speech in English with Lingolia’s simple explanation. In the exercises, you can test your grammar skills.
“I’ve prepared a presentation about the product, if you’re interested?” “I would love to see it. … This product is exactly what my company has been looking for! Is there any room to negotiate on price?” “I’m happy to hear that. Unfortunately, pricing is fixed.” “That’s a shame, but I appreciate your transparency. Could you send me a written offer?” “Yes, I will contact you tomorrow to finalise the details.” | |
| I had an appointment with a new client yesterday. I told him that and he said . After, he said that and asked . I said no and he said that . I said . |
When turning direct speech into reported speech, we may have to change all or some of the following:
- the pronouns
- information about time and place (see the table at the end of this page)
- the tense (backshift)
If the reporting verb is in the simple past (e.g. said, told, asked, replied … ), the tense has to be set back by one degree (see the table below). This is known as backshifting .
Direct Speech | | Reported Speech |
simple present | → | simple past |
present progressive | → | past progressive |
simple past | → | past perfect simple |
present perfect simple |
past perfect simple |
past progressive | → | past perfect progressive |
present perfect progressive |
past perfect progressive |
future with going to | → | was / were going to |
future with will | → | conditional (would) |
would |
The verbs could, should, would, might, must, needn’t, ought to, used to normally do not change.
If the reporting verb is in the simple present (e.g. says, tells, asks, replies … ), then the tense remains unchanged.
While the tense remains unchanged, we often still have to change the verb form to match the new pronouns.
that after a reporting verb
We often omit the word that after a reporting verb, especially in spoken language and informal contexts.
When turning questions into reported speech, we follow the same rules as for declarative sentences: we change the pronouns as well as the time and place markers and backshift the tense as needed.
In addition, we also have to bear in mind the following:
- instead of that , we use a question word after the reporting verb; if there is no question word, we use whether / if instead
- questions in reported speech follow declarative sentence word order (subject + verb)
- we don’t use the auxiliary verb do/did for questions in reported speech; instead, the main verb appears in the simple past without an auxiliary verb
- put the verb directly after who or what in subject questions.
Questions in reported speech do not end in a question mark.
When turning orders, demands and requests into reported speech, we only need to change the pronouns and the time and place information.
We don’t have to pay attention to the tense – we simply use an infinitive rather than a conjugated verb.
If the imperative is negated, then we use not + infinitive .
To express what someone should or can do in reported speech, we leave out the subject and the modal verb and instead we use the construction who/what/where/how + infinitive .
Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
today | that day |
now | then at that moment/time |
yesterday | the day before |
… days ago | … days before |
last week | the week before |
next year | the following year |
tomorrow | the next day the following day |
here | there |
this | that |
these | those |
say vs. tell
The words say and tell are not interchangeable.
- say = say something
- tell = say something to someone
Head over to the vocabulary section to learn more about the difference between say and tell .
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Direct Indirect Speech
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Direct Indirect Speech Rules of Present Perfect
Last updated at April 16, 2024 by Teachoo
In this case,Present Perfect of Direct Speech becomes Past Perfect of Indirect Speech
He said " I have watched Avengers movie"
He said that he had watched Avengers movie
She said "I have seen the Taj Mahal"
She said that she had seen the Taj Mahal
Boss said "I have some work"
Boss said that they had some work
She said "You have a great sense of humour"
She said that You had a great sense of humour
The poor man said "I have no money"
The poor man said that I had no money
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Reported speech
Tense changes in reported speech
Indirect speech (reported speech) focuses more on the content of what someone said rather than their exact words. In indirect speech, the structure of the reported clause depends on whether the speaker is reporting a statement, a question or a command.
Normally, the tense in reported speech is one tense back in time from the tense in direct speech: She said, "I am tired." = She said that she was tired.
Phrase in Direct Speech | Equivalent in Reported Speech |
| |
"I always coffee", she said | She said that she always coffee. |
| |
"I a book", he explained. | He explained that he a book |
| |
"Bill on Saturday", he said. | He said that Bill on Saturday. |
| |
"I to Spain", he told me. | He told me that he to Spain. |
| |
"I the light," he explained. | He explained that he the light. |
| |
They complained, "We for hours". | They complained that they for hours. |
| |
"We in Paris", they told me. | They told me that they in Paris. |
| |
"I in Geneva on Monday", he said. | He said that he in Geneva on Monday. |
| |
She said, " the car next Friday". | She said that she the car next Friday. |
You do not need to change the tense if the reporting verb is in the present, or if the original statement was about something that is still true (but this is only for things which are general facts, and even then usually we like to change the tense) , e.g.
- He says he has missed the train but he'll catch the next one.
- We explained that it is very difficult to find our house.
- Direct speech: The sky is blue.
- Reported speech: She said (that) the sky is/was blue.
These modal verbs do not change in reported speech: might, could, would, should, ought to :
- We explained, "It could be difficult to find our house." = We explained that it could be difficult to find our house.
- She said, "I might bring a friend to the party." = She said that she might bring a friend to the party.
Course Curriculum
- Changing time and place in reported speech 20 mins
- Direct and indirect speech 15 mins
- Tense changes in reported speech 20 mins
- Reported questions 20 mins
- Reporting verbs 20 mins
- Reporting orders and requests 15 mins
- Reporting hopes, intentions and promises 20 mins
Present Perfect Reported Speech 1
Belkis Martínez Meza
Present perfect reported speech
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Reported Speech Exercise 9
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COMMENTS
Direct speech: I like ice cream. Reported speech: She said (that) she liked ice cream. She said (that) she liked ice cream. She said (that) she was living in London. She said (that) she had bought a car OR She said (that) she bought a car. She said (that) she had been walking along the street.
Lucas, "I haven't seen my brother since 2018." Lucas remarked (that) . Grace, "Ken has fed the pets." Grace told me (that) . Ruby, "Adam has not collected stickers." Ruby told me (that) . Sentences in Reported speech in the Present Perfect in English in an Online Exercise.
Direct and Indirect Speech of Present Perfect Tense. Tense Change As a rule, when you report something that someone has said you go back a tense, therefore, when we report what someone has said we go one tense back. Instead we use past perfect tense in reported speech instead of present perfect tense. Affirmatives. Direct speech: RP +, + S ...
Reported speech: She said she was going to the store then. In this example, the pronoun "I" is changed to "she" and the adverb "now" is changed to "then.". 2. Change the tense: In reported speech, you usually need to change the tense of the verb to reflect the change from direct to indirect speech. Here's an example:
For example: Direct speech: I dislike fried chicken. Reported speech: She said she disliked fried chicken. Note how the main verb in the reported statement is also in the past tense verb form. Use the simple present tense in your indirect speech if the initial words remain relevant at the time of reporting.
No Change in Verb Tenses in Reported Speech. In some cases, verb tenses do not change when you report speech indirectly.Here are the key instances: When the introductory verb is in the present, present perfect, or future.; When the reported sentence deals with a fact or general truth.; When the reported sentence contains a time clause.; If the verb of the sentence is in the unreal past (the ...
When we use reported speech, we often change the verb tense backwards in time. This can be called "backshift.". Here are some examples in different verb tenses: "I want to go home.". She said she wanted to go home. "I 'm reading a good book.". She said she was reading a good book. "I ate pasta for dinner last night.".
Make reported speech from the direct speech. Use 'she said' at the beginning of each. It's the same day, so you don't need to change the time expressions. 1) "She has visited Paris three times." [ . 2) "He has read War and Peace." [ . 3) "I haven't seen Julie for ages." [ .
Reported Speech — Present Perfect — Exercise 1. Next . Change the direct speech into reported speech. Show example. 1. Kevin, "I have written four emails to my friends.". Kevin said (that). he had written four emails to his friends. 2.
When not to change verb tenses? If the speech is reported immediately, the tense does not change.. Direct: "It is hot these days," she said.; Reported: She said it is hot these days. If the introductory verb used is in the present simple, future simple or present perfect, we do not change verb tense.. Direct: "This information is confidential." Reported: She says this information is ...
Perfect English Grammar. Here's a list of all the reported speech exercises on this site: (Click here to read the explanations about reported speech) Reported Statements: Present Simple Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here) Present Continuous Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy)
Later, maybe we want to tell someone else what the first person said. Here's how it works: We use a reporting verb like 'say' or 'tell'. If this verb is in the present tense, it's easy. We just put 'she says' and then the sentence: Direct speech: "I love coffee." Reported speech: She says that she loves coffee.
Reported Speech: In this article, you will be introduced to reported speech, its meaning and definition, how and when to use it. You can also check out the examples given for a much better understanding of reported speech. Login. Study Materials. ... Present Perfect. Example: Preethi said, "I have cooked pasta." ...
Reported speech is when we repeat what another person has said but instead of using their exact words in quotation marks (direct speech), we use subordinate clause introduced by a reporting verb like the ones below: He says/said …. She explains/explained …. She tells/told me …. He asks/asked …. Often, we have to change the tense ...
Reported speech: indirect speech - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary
REPORTED SPEECH! https://7esl.com/reported-speech/Reported speech is often also called indirect speech in English.Direct Speech: https://7esl.com/direct-spee...
In this case,Present Perfect of Direct Speech becomes Past Perfect of Indirect Speech. He said " I have watched Avengers movie". She said "I have seen the Taj Mahal". Boss said "I have some work". She said "You have a great sense of humour". The poor man said "I have no money".
In indirect speech, the structure of the reported clause depends on whether the speaker is reporting a statement, a question or a command. Normally, the tense in reported speech is one tense back in time from the tense in direct speech: She said, "I am tired." = She said that she was tired. Phrase in Direct Speech. Equivalent in Reported Speech.
Present Perfect Reported Speech 1 Present Perfect Reported Speech 1. Belkis Martínez Meza. Member for 3 years 5 months Age: 9+ Level: 7. Language: English (en) ID: 2237160. 07/12/2022. Country code: CR. Country: Costa Rica. School subject: Grammar ...
The meaning is exactly the same if you use 'that' or if you don't use 'that'.) 1: SAY. Let's look first at the verbs we've already talked about. The basic verb pattern for using 'say' for reported speech is: say + (that) + clause. She said (that) she had already eaten. (The direct speech for this is "I've already eaten".)
Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous? - English Grammar Today - довідка про письмову й розмовну граматику та використання англійської мови - Cambridge Dictionary
English grammar exercise about reported speech with the past simple tense. Login Contact Courses Membership Speaking Explanations Exercises Method. Reported Speech Exercise 9. Perfect English Grammar. This reported speech exercise looks at statements with the past simple. Review reported statements here;