Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way of expressing what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. This involves a shift from the original speaker’s perspective to the reporting speaker’s perspective.
In this lesson, we will delve into the structure, changes, and common scenarios for reported speech.
Structure of reported speech:
In reported speech, the basic structure involves a reporting verb, such as “say” or “tell,” followed by the reported statement.
Examples:
Direct speech: She said: ”I am going to the store.’
Reported speech: She said that she was going to the store.
Common changes in reported speech:
Pronouns:
Change of pronouns to fit the reporting speaker’s perspective.
Verb tenses:
Shift of verb tenses back in time.
Time expressions:
Adjustment of time expressions to match the reporting moment.
Changes in pronouns:
Pronouns in reported speech are adjusted based on the relationship between the original speaker and the reporting speaker.
Examples:
Direct speech: He said: ”I love this book.”
Reported speech: He said that he loved that book.
Common pronoun changes:
I → he/she
We → they
You → he/she or they (depending on context)
He/She → he/she
They → they
Changes in verb tenses:
Verb tenses are shifted back in time when reporting statements.
Examples:
Direct speech: “I will call you later.”
Reported speech: She said that she would call me later.
Common verb tense changes in reported speech:
Present Simple → Past simple
Present Continuous → Past continuous
Present Perfect → Past perfect
Present Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
Past Simple → Past perfect
Past Perfect → Past Perfect
Table: Tense changes in reported speech
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Present Simple: “I love this piece of chocolate.” | Past Simple: He said that he loved that piece of chocolate. |
| Present Continuous: “I am studying.” | Past Continuous: She said she was studying. |
| Present Perfect: “They have finished.” | Past Perfect: We were told that they had finished. |
| Past Simple: “She went to the store.” | Past Perfect: He told me she had gone to the store. |
| Present Perfect Continuous: “I have been working.” | Past Perfect Continuous: She said she had been working. |
| Future Simple: “I will call you.” | Conditional: He promised he would call me. |
| Future Continuous: “I will be studying.” | Conditional Continuous: She said she would be studying. |
| Future Perfect: “They will have completed.” | Conditional Perfect: We were told they would have completed. |
| Modal Verb (Can): “I can swim.” | Modal Verb (Could): She said that she could swim. |
| Modal Verb (Must): “You must finish.” | Modal Verb (Had to): He told me that I had to finish. |
| Modal Verb (Should): “You should study.” | Modal Verb (Should): She advised that I should study. |
Changes in time expressions:
Time expressions are adjusted to reflect the reporting moment.
Examples:
Direct Speech: “They are coming tomorrow.”
Reported Speech: She said that they were coming the next day.
Common time expression changes in reported speech:
today → that day
tomorrow → the next day
now → then
yesterday → the day before
this afternoon → that afternoon
Understanding how to convert direct speech into reported speech is essential for effective communication. Practice using reported speech in various contexts to solidify your understanding of these changes. Happy learning!
