Reported Speech

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. It allows us to convey what someone else has said or thought without using their exact words. Mastering reported speech is crucial for effective communication, as it enables us to report conversations, interviews, and statements accurately. In this lesson, we will explore the rules and usage of reported speech in English, provide examples, and conclude with a test featuring 20 sentences to practice your skills.

What is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is a way of relaying information about what someone has said or thought in the past. It involves transforming direct speech (the original words spoken) into indirect speech (a reported version of those words). The reported speech is often introduced by a reporting verb, such as "said," "told," or "asked."

Rules for Reported Speech:

Click here to see a chart about tenses.

1. Change the tense: When reporting speech, we usually shift the tense of the verb in the reported clause to reflect the time of speaking or thinking. For example: -

Direct speech: "I am happy." (present tense)

Reported speech: She said she was happy. (past tense)

2. Change pronouns: Pronouns in the reported speech may need to be changed to reflect the perspective of the person reporting the speech. For example:

Direct speech: "He said, 'I love her.'"

Reported speech: He said he loved her.

3. Change time and place references: Time and place references may need to be adjusted in reported speech. For example:

Direct speech: "I will meet you here tomorrow."

Reported speech: She said she would meet me there the next day.

4. Change modals and adverbs: Modals and adverbs may need to be changed to reflect the reported speech accurately. For example:

Direct speech: "She said, 'I can swim.'"

Reported speech: She said she could swim.

Examples of Reported Speech:

1. Direct speech: "I like chocolate," she said.

Reported speech: She said she liked chocolate.

2. Direct speech: "I will call you later," he said.

Reported speech: He said he would call me later.

3. Direct speech: "We are going to the movies tonight," they said.

Reported speech: They said they were going to the movies that night.

4. Direct speech: "I don't understand," she said.

Reported speech: She said she didn't understand.

5. Direct speech: "Can you help me?" he asked.

Reported speech: He asked if I could help him.

Test:

Reported Speech (20 Sentences to Complete)

Instructions: Complete each sentence by transforming the direct speech into reported speech. Choose the correct option from the given choices.

1. "I have been studying all day," she said.

a) She said she had been studying all day.

b) She said she has been studying all day.

c) She said she is studying all day.

2. "I will give you a call tomorrow," he said.

a) He said he would give me a call tomorrow.

b) He said he will give me a call tomorrow.

c) He said he gives me a call tomorrow.

3. "I saw him at the park," they said.

a) They said they saw him at the park.

b) They said they see him at the park.

c) They said they will see him at the park.

4. "I can't find my keys," she said.

a) She said she can't find her keys.

b) She said she couldn't find her keys.

c) She said she can find her keys.

5. "Did you finish your homework?" he asked.

a) He asked if I finished my homework.

b) He asked if I finish my homework.

c) He asked if I will finish my homework.

6. "I am going to the party tonight," she said.

a) She said she was going to the party tonight.

b) She said she is going to the party tonight.

c) She said she goes to the party tonight.

7. "I haven't seen him in ages," they said.

a) They said they hadn't seen him in ages.

b) They said they haven't seen him in ages.

c) They said they don't see him in ages.

8. "I won the competition," he said.

a) He said he won the competition.

b) He said he wins the competition.

c) He said he has won the competition.

9. "Could you pass me the salt?" she asked.

a) She asked if I could pass her the salt.

b) She asked if I can pass her the salt.

c) She asked if I passed her the salt.

10. "I'll be there in five minutes," he said.

a) He said he'll be there in five minutes.

b) He said he would be there in five minutes.

c) He said he is there in five minutes.

11. "I didn't eat lunch today," she said.

a) She said she didn't eat lunch today.

b) She said she doesn't eat lunch today.

c) She said she hasn't eaten lunch today.

12. "Will you help me with this?" he asked.

a) He asked if I will help him with this.

b) He asked if I help him with this.

c) He asked if I would help him with this.

13. "I am sorry for the mistake," she said.

a) She said she is sorry for the mistake.

b) She said she was sorry for the mistake.

c) She said she has been sorry for the mistake.

14. "I might go to the concert," he said.

a) He said he might go to the concert.

b) He said he may go to the concert.

c) He said he can go to the concert.

15. "Have you seen my keys?" she asked.

a) She asked if I have seen her keys.

b) She asked if I had seen her keys.

c) She asked if I see her keys.

16. "I have finished my work," he said.

a) He said he has finished his work.

b) He said he had finished his work.

c) He said he finishes his work.

17. "Are you coming to the party?" they asked.

a) They asked if I am coming to the party.

b) They asked if I will come to the party.

c) They asked if I come to the party.

18. "I must leave now," she said.

a) She said she must leave now.

b) She said she had to leave now.

c) She said she leaves now.

19. "Did you buy the tickets?" he asked.

a) He asked if I bought the tickets.

b) He asked if I have bought the tickets.

c) He asked if I had bought the tickets.

20. "I love this song," she said.

a) She said she loves this song.

b) She said she loved this song.

c) She said she has loved this song.

Conclusion:

Reported speech is an essential tool for conveying information about what someone has said or thought. By following the rules and guidelines of reported speech, you can accurately report conversations and statements in English. Remember to adjust the tense, pronouns, time and place references, as well as modals and adverbs when transforming direct speech into reported speech. Practice using reported speech with the provided test to enhance your understanding and fluency in this aspect of English grammar.