REPORTED SPEECH

(Direct and Indirect Speech)

Reported speech is used to repeat the exact words that somebody said.

I will go to school every day ,

he said.
Future (going to)
I am going to school every
day , he said.

Direct speech: "You have to work harder in school, or you'll fail", my mother
told me.
Indirect speech: My mother told me that I had to work harder in school, or I
would fail.
We can report : * statements * questions * commands, requests,
suggestions

Direct Speech

Indirect Speech

Simple present
I go to school every day , he
said.

Simple past
He said (that) he went to school every
day.

Simple past
I went to school every day ,
he said.

Past perfect
He said (that) he had gone to school
every day.

Present perfect simple

I have gone to school every
day , he said.

Past perfect simple

He said (that) he had gone to school
every day.

Present perfect continuous

I have been working all day
, he said.

Past perfect continuous

He said he had been working all day.

Present continuous
I am going to school every
day , he said.

Past continuous
He said (that) he was going to school
every day.

Past continuous
I was going to school every
day , he said.

Past perfect continuous

He said (that) he had been going to
school every day.

Past perfect simple

I hadnt seen him before, he
said.

Past perfect simple

He said he hadnt seen him before.

Past perfect continuous

I had been working before
he came, he said.

Past perfect continuous

He said he had been working before
he came.

Future (will)

Would + verb name

Present continuous
He said (that) he is going to school
every day.

Past continuous
He said (that) he was going to school
every day .

b. Questions
Direct questions

Rules for Forming Reported Speech

1. Verb tenses and time expressions change in reported speech
a. Statements

He said (that) he would go to school

every day.

"Are you cold?"

"Where's my pen?"
"Do you like coffee?"
"Can I help you?"
"Why dont you work harder?"
"Dont the children like ice-cream?"
"You wont tell anyone, will you?"

c.

Reported questions
She asked me if I was cold.
He asked where his pen was.
She asked
if I liked coffee.
I asked if I could help her.
She asked why he didnt work
harder.
She asked if the children didnt like
ice-cream.
She asked him not to tell anyone.

Commands / requests / suggestions/ orders /advice

When we want to report an order or command, we can use a verb

like "tell" with a to-clause.
"Stop smoking! The doctor told me to stop smoking.
"Dont shout! He told me not to shout.

When we want to report a request we use: ask + for + object.

"Can I have an apple?", she asked. She asked for an apple.
When we want to report a suggestions we use a that-clause
"Why don't you get a mechanic to look at the car?" She suggested
that I should get a mechanic to look at the car.
No change in tense!!!!!

the introductory verb (say,

tell.....) is in the Present
Simple, Present
Continuous, Present
Perfect, Future Perfect

There is no change in tense in

reported speech when what is
said is still true or is always
true or a law of nature

If what is said is clearly

untrue,
the tense changes.

The city is crowded.

Taxes will be raised.

I live in Paris.
The Earth goes
round the Sun.
Elvis Presley is still
alive.
Theres plenty of

He says the city is

crowded.
He is saying that the city
is crowded.
He often said that the city
is crowded.
The government has
announced that taxes
will be raised.
He said he lives in Paris.
He said the Earth goes
round the Sun.
He said Elvis Presley was
still alive.

the speaker is reporting

something immediately after
it was said (up to date)

There is no tense change

when we report wishes or
preferences.

food in the fridge

I wish he was / were
with me now.
I would prefer to go
to Paris.
If I had the money, I
would travel abroad

Mum said (that) there is

plenty of food in the
fridge.
She said she wished he
was /were with her now.
He said he would prefer
to go to Paris.
Kelly said (that) if she had
the money, she would
travel abroad.

the reported sentence deals

with type 2 or type 3
conditionals.

2. Other changes
a. Modal verbs
will would
can could
can could/ would be
able
(future reference)
may might
must must / had to
(obligation)
Must does not change when
it expresses a logical
assumption.
shall should
(asking for advice)
shall offer
( expressing offers)
neednt neednt /didnt
need to / didnt have to
Would, could, might,
should, ought, had better,
used to, mustnt do not
change.

I will help you.

I can help you.
I can meet you at noon.
I may come later.
I must go to the bank.
You must be happy,
Susan said to Joe.
What shall I tell him?
Shall I help you?
You neednt feed the dog.
You could watch a video,
he said.
Youd better go.
You ought to exercise
more

He said he would help

me.
He said he could help
me.
He said (that) he
could/would be able
to meet me at noon.
He said he might come
later.
He said he must/ had
to go to the bank.
Susan told Joe (that) he
must be happy.
He asked what he
should tell him.
He offered to help me.
I neednt/ didnt need
to / didnt have to
feed the dog.
He said that we could
watch a video.
He said Id better go.
My doctor told me I
ought to exercise more.

b. Certain expressions

this these
that those*
here there
now at the time,
immediately
yesterday the day
before, the previous
day

today, tonight that day,

that night
two days ago two days
before
last month the month
before, the previous
month

this week that

week
tomorrow the
next day, the
following day
next month
the month after,
the following
month
come go

* When this/these are used in time expressions, they change to that/those ( this
week-that week; these days- those days). When this/these are not used in time
expressions, they change as follows:
a)
they change to the when used as adjectives, that is, when they are followed by
a noun ( This film is boring, Claire told me. - Claire told me (that) the film was boring.)
b)
they change to it or they/them when used as pronouns, that is, when they are
not followed by a noun. ( This is an unusual situation, Dad said. - Dad said (that) it was
an unusual situation.)

EXERCISES
1. Change the following statements from direct to reported
speech.
a. I cant help you, Ann said.
b. The students have been studying Lord Byrons poetry, she
said.
c. We will also apply for a grant, the volunteers added.
d. The Legans choral Group has often visited France, she
pointed out.
e. The journalist said: The government is preparing for the
elections.
f. A taxi will be waiting at the airport for you, the guide told
Helen.
g. Wheat is grown extensively in the USA, The teacher
explained.
h. The boys are collecting money for charity organizations, he
explained
i. I might come to the party, Judy said.
j. Graham Greene lived in Antibes before he died, our teacher
commented.
k. The doctor cant come to visit his patients today, the nurse
apoligized.
l. Yesterday he played the piano very well, Peters mother said.
m. My plane will arrive late, at about seven-thirty, she
complained.
n. The students will get their new books tomorrow morning, the
school master replied.
o. London is the capital of the UK, he assured.
2. Change the following commands, request & suggestions from
direct to reported speech.
a. Dont worry, I said to her.
b. Take all those goods out of the store, she said to the clerk.
c. The sergeant commanded them: Stand to attention!
d. Dont make a noise, the nurse said to the visitors.
e. The boss said to the secrtary: dont forget to post this letter
today!
f. Lets not fight over this! she said.
g. The teacher told the pupils: Hand in your homework next
Friday!
h. Our neighbour asked: Dont smoke in my house!
i. Open this suitcase immediately!, the customs officer
instructed me.
j. Please sit down and make yourselves comfortable, the
bellman told us.

k.
l.
m.
n.
o.

How about going to see a movie!, she said.

Could you please order a taxi?, the manager told the boy.
Please, lets not argue any more, he begged.
Susan said: Mum, dont forget to pick me up this afternoon!
It could be all right if we took a decision right now, Philip
suggested.

2.
3.
4.
5.

3. Change the following questions from direct to reported

speech.
a. When will the castle be closed to visitors?, she asked.
b. Which books did I leave here yesterday?, Jeremy said.
c. The boss asked: Why are all our accountants checking them
now?
d. Did you have your flu vaccination last month?, the doctor
asked.
e. Peter said: Was Annie playing the piano at yesterdays
concert?
f. Why were you tested at the hospital some years ago?, the
agent said.
g. Have you got an alibi?, the policeman told the thief.
h. Where shall I put all these clothes?, the young lady ask her
mother.
i. Did you use a tie at parties?, she wanted to know.
j. How often does your dog have meals?, the vet asked him.
k. She wondered: Can we save energy by using solar power?
l. Should we refuse the invitation?, she asked her husband.
m. Who is taking the car to the garage?, the manager asked him.
n. Did anyone try to call an ambulance?, she asked the guard.
o. She enquired me: which hotel do you think is the cheapest?

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

4. Change the following sentences from direct to reported

speech.
1. "When was the last time you saw her?"
Alice asked

"Has Israel sent any films to the Cannes Film Festival this year?"
The film reviewer asked
"Did you enjoy her birthday party last night?"
My friend wanted to know
"Have you ever dyed your hair?'
Tali asked
Roses are my favourite flowers."
Nicole said
"Summer in Israel is very hot."
The weather man said
"Are you going to visit her in hospital?"
My mother asked
"I have a collection of masks hanging on the wall."
Nicole told her friend
"Can you dance the Salsa?"
The dancing instructor asked
"May I please be excused?"
The pupil politely asked the teacher
"Will you give me her phone number so I can phone her later?"
Gil asked me
"I am looking forward to seeing you soon."
Sam said
"Drive carefully!"
My mother told me
"I hope you will do well on the English exam next week."
Nicole said
"Where have I put my glasses?"
My grandmother asked
"Why can't I ever switch on this television?"
Talia wanted to know