An introduction to reported speech with practice problems.
Reported Speech Guide for ESL Students
Mastering Reported Speech
Learn how to tell people what someone else said!
What is Reported Speech?
We use reported speech (or indirect speech) to tell someone what another person said. When we do this, we often change the tense of the verb and the pronouns.
Direct Speech
This is exactly what the person said, using quotation marks (" ").
Suda said, "I am very happy today."
Reported Speech
This is reporting the speech to someone else, usually without quotation marks.
Suda said that she was very happy that day.
Key Changes:
The verb tense often moves back one step (e.g., am → was). This is called "backshifting".
Pronouns change (e.g., I → she).
Time and place words can also change (e.g., today → that day).
Check Your Understanding
1. Which is another name for Reported Speech?
2. Direct: "I am hungry." How do we report this?
When Do We Use Reported Speech?
Reported speech is very common in everyday conversation. We use it whenever we need to talk about what someone else has said. Here are some common situations:
1. Sharing News and Gossip
When you tell a friend what you heard from someone else.
"Somsak told me that there's a new cafe opening on the corner."
2. Giving Messages
When you need to pass a message from one person to another.
"Your mom called. She said that you should call her back."
3. Telling Stories
When you are talking about past conversations or events.
"My grandfather said that this town used to be much smaller."
4. Formal Reporting (Work or School)
In emails, reports, or presentations to talk about information from a source.
"The manager announced that the project was a success."
Check Your Understanding
1. Your friend says, "I am tired." Later, you tell your mom. What is this situation?
2. "The news report said that it would rain today." This is an example of:
Rule 1: Tense Changes (Backshifting)
When we report what someone said in the past, the verb tense usually "takes one step back" into the past.
Present Simple → Past Simple
"I like mango." → He said that he liked mango.
Present Continuous → Past Continuous
"I am studying." → She said that she was studying.
Past Simple → Past Perfect
"I finished my homework." → He said he had finished his homework.
will → would, can → could
"I will call you." → He said he would call me.
Important Note:
If the information in the direct speech is still true, you don't have to change the tense. This is common when reporting facts. For example: "The earth is round." → He said that the earth is round.
Check Your Understanding
1. Direct: "I work in a bank." Reported: She said she...
2. Direct: "I can play guitar." Reported: He said he...
Rule 2: Pronoun Changes
Pronouns must change to match the point of view of the person reporting the speech. Think about who is speaking now.
✅ Common Pronoun Changes
"I like my job," he said. → He said he liked his job.
"We will visit," they said. → They said they would visit.
"He gave me the book," she said. → She said he had given her the book.
Check Your Understanding
1. Direct: "My brother is here." (said by a woman) Reported: She said that ... brother was there.
2. Direct: "We are leaving." Reported: They said that ... were leaving.
Rule 3: Time & Place Changes
Words describing time and place often need to "move back" with the tense.
✅ Common Time & Place Changes
now → then / at that time
today → that day
yesterday → the day before
tomorrow → the next day
here → there
this → that
Example Sentence:
Direct: Malee said, "My brother is coming to meet me heretomorrow."
Reported: Malee said that her brother was coming to meet her therethe next day.
Check Your Understanding
1. Direct: "I'll see you tomorrow." Reported: He said he would see me...
2. Direct: "I am busy now." Reported: She said she was busy...
Practice Quiz!
Let's check your understanding. Choose the best option to report the speech.
