Learn to report what someone said without using their exact words. Practice transforming direct speech into reported speech and master tense changes and reporting verbs in everyday English conversations and writing.
Reported speech (also called indirect speech) is used when we want to tell someone what another person said, without using their exact words. We often need to change the verb tense, pronouns, and time expressions to reflect that we're reporting speech from a different time and context.
Reported speech is essential for effective communication in both formal and informal contexts:
• To share what someone told you in conversations
• To report news, information, or gossip
• To write formal reports, minutes, or academic papers
• To tell stories about past conversations and events
• To maintain professional communication in business contexts
The fundamental pattern for converting direct speech to reported speech involves several key changes.
When converting to reported speech, several elements typically change to reflect the new context.
Different reporting verbs convey different meanings and attitudes about what was said.
Used for general statements and facts that were true at the time of speaking.
Used for actions that were in progress at the time of the original statement.
Used for completed actions that had relevance at the time of speaking.
Used for completed actions that happened before the reporting time.
Used for future intentions, promises, and predictions.
Used for ability, permission, and possibility.
Use 'say' when you don't need to specify who was spoken to. Can be used with 'to + person'.
Use 'tell' when you need to specify who was spoken to. Always requires an object.
Different reporting verbs add nuance and specificity to what was communicated.
Use 'asked + if/whether' and change to statement word order. No question mark.
Use 'asked + question word' and change to statement word order. No question mark.
Use 'told/asked + person + to + infinitive' for commands and requests.
❌ Wrong: Forgetting to change pronouns - 'He said, "I am tired" → He said I am tired.'
✓ Correct: 'He said, "I am tired" → He said he was tired.' (change pronouns)
❌ Wrong: Wrong word order in questions - 'She asked where was I going.'
✓ Correct: 'She asked where I was going.' (statement word order)
❌ Wrong: Using 'say' with direct object - 'She said me that she was happy.'
✓ Correct: 'She told me that she was happy.' OR 'She said to me that she was happy.'
❌ Wrong: Forgetting tense backshift - 'He said he is busy yesterday.'
✓ Correct: 'He said he was busy yesterday.' (backshift required)
To practice your pronunciation, listen to the native speaker audio first. Then 'Record' yourself repeating what you heard, then use the 'Playback' button to compare your pronunciation with the native speaker. If you want to record yourself again, simply click 'Delete'!
✓ They mentioned that their flight had been delayed by three hours. (reporting statements)
✓ He wanted to know what time the meeting was supposed to start. (reporting questions)
✓ The teacher told the students to open their books to page ten. (reporting commands)
✓ She said she was watching a film at that very moment. (tense backshift)
✓ They advised us to check the weather forecast before leaving. (reporting advice)
Share Free Daily English With Them Today!