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LEVEL 4 The Reported Speech

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Paula Pérez Peña
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18 views5 pages

LEVEL 4 The Reported Speech

Uploaded by

Paula Pérez Peña
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Reported Speech

I. Introduction to Reported Speech

Reported speech, also called indirect speech, is used when we want to tell someone
what another person said, but without quoting the exact words. Instead of repeating the
speaker’s original words (direct speech), we report the content of the speech by making
some changes to the structure of the sentence.

For example:
Direct speech: "I am going to the store," he said.
Reported speech: He said that he was going to the store.

The main differences between direct speech and reported speech are the changes in the
pronouns, verb tenses, and sometimes in time expressions.

II. Changing Pronouns in Reported Speech

When changing direct speech into reported speech, the pronouns must be adjusted
according to the context.

Example:
Direct speech: "I will help you," she said.
Reported speech: She said that she would help me.

Explanation: The pronoun "I" becomes "she," and "you" becomes "me," depending on
the speaker and listener in the context.

III. Changing Verb Tenses in Reported Speech

When reporting speech, the verb tense usually shifts back into the past. This is called
"backshifting" and happens when the reporting verb (like "said" or "told") is in the past
tense.
1. Present Simple → Past Simple
Direct speech: "I like pizza," he said.
Reported speech: He said that he liked pizza.

2. Present Continuous → Past Continuous


Direct speech: "I am watching TV," she said.
Reported speech: She said that she was watching TV.

3. Present Perfect → Past Perfect


Direct speech: "I have finished my homework," he said.
Reported speech: He said that he had finished his homework.

4. Past Simple → Past Perfect


Direct speech: "They went to the park," she said.
Reported speech: She said that they had gone to the park.

5. Will → Would
Direct speech: "I will call you tomorrow," he said.
Reported speech: He said that he would call me tomorrow.

6. Can → Could
Direct speech: "I can swim fast," she said.
Reported speech: She said that she could swim fast.

IV. Reporting Questions in Indirect Speech

When reporting a question, the structure changes slightly. We no longer use the question
word order (auxiliary verb + subject) and instead follow the statement word order
(subject + verb). In yes/no questions, we introduce the question with "if" or "whether."

1. Yes/No Questions
Direct speech: "Are you coming?" she asked.
Reported speech: She asked if I was coming.

2. Wh-Questions
Direct speech: "Where do you live?" he asked.
Reported speech: He asked where I lived.

V. Reporting Commands and Requests

When reporting commands or requests, we often use the verbs "tell" or "ask" followed
by an infinitive form of the verb.

1. Commands
Direct speech: "Close the door," he said.
Reported speech: He told me to close the door.

2. Requests
Direct speech: "Please help me," she said.
Reported speech: She asked me to help her.

VI. Time Expressions in Reported Speech

When changing direct speech into reported speech, time expressions often change,
especially if the reporting is done later than when the original words were spoken.

1. Today → That day


Direct speech: "I will see you today," he said.
Reported speech: He said that he would see me that day.

2. Tomorrow → The next day / The following day


Direct speech: "I will call you tomorrow," she said.
Reported speech: She said that she would call me the next day.

3. Yesterday → The day before


Direct speech: "I met him yesterday," she said.
Reported speech: She said that she had met him the day before.

4. Now → Then
Direct speech: "I am busy now," he said.
Reported speech: He said that he was busy then.

5. Ago → Before
Direct speech: "I finished my work two days ago," she said.
Reported speech: She said that she had finished her work two days before.

VII. Exceptions: No Change in Tense

In some cases, we do not change the tense when reporting speech. This can happen if:

1. The reporting verb is in the present or future tense.


Example:
Direct speech: "I love this movie," she says.
Reported speech: She says that she loves this movie.

2. The reported speech refers to something that is still true or relevant.


Example:
Direct speech: "The sun rises in the east," he said.
Reported speech: He said that the sun rises in the east.

VIII. Summary
Reported speech is used to tell someone what another person has said, without using
their exact words. Pronouns, verb tenses, and time expressions often change when
converting from direct speech to reported speech. Questions and commands are reported
differently, and certain exceptions may apply where tense does not need to change.

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