English Grammar Lesson: Reported Speech

1. What is Reported Speech?

Definition: Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to express what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. It involves changing the original speech into a different form.

Direct Speech: “I am going to the store,” she said.

Reported Speech: She said (that) she was going to the store.

2. Rules for Changing Direct Speech to Reported Speech

When converting direct speech to reported speech, several changes often need to be made:

2.1 Change of Pronouns

The pronouns in the sentence usually change to match the subject of the reporting clause.

Example:

• Direct: “I am tired,” he said.
• Reported: He said he was tired.

2.2 Change of Tenses

The tense of the verbs usually shifts back (backshift) in reported speech, especially if the reporting verb is in the past tense.

• Present Simple ➜ Past Simple
• Present Continuous ➜ Past Continuous
• Present Perfect ➜ Past Perfect
• Will ➜ Would

Example:

• Direct: “I am leaving now,” she said.
• Reported: She said she was leaving then.
• Direct: “I will call you,” he said.
• Reported: He said he would call me.

2.3 Change of Time and Place Words

Words that indicate time and place often change in reported speech.

• Now ➜ Then
• Today ➜ That day
• Tomorrow ➜ The next day / The following day
• Yesterday ➜ The day before / The previous day
• Here ➜ There
• This ➜ That

Example:

• Direct: “I will see you tomorrow,” she said.
• Reported: She said she would see me the next day.
• Direct: “We are meeting here,” he said.
• Reported: He said they were meeting there.

3. Reporting Questions

When reporting questions, the word order typically changes to a statement form, and the question mark is removed.

Example:

• Direct: “Where are you going?” he asked.
• Reported: He asked where I was going.
• Direct: “Did you see the movie?” she asked.
• Reported: She asked if I had seen the movie.

4. Reporting Commands, Requests, and Suggestions

Commands, requests, and suggestions are often reported using verbs like tell, ask, or suggest followed by an infinitive.

Example:

• Direct: “Please close the door,” she said.
• Reported: She asked me to close the door.
• Direct: “Don’t be late,” he said.
• Reported: He told me not to be late.
• Direct: “Let’s go for a walk,” she said.
• Reported: She suggested going for a walk.

5. Exceptions and Special Cases

There are some exceptions to these rules, especially when the reporting verb is in the present or when the original statement is a universal truth. In such cases, the tense may not change.

Examples:

• Direct: “The Earth orbits the Sun,” he said.
• Reported: He said the Earth orbits the Sun. (Universal truth, no change in tense)
• Direct: “I am hungry,” she says.
• Reported: She says she is hungry. (Reporting verb in present, no change in tense)