The Reported
Speech...
When do we use the reported
speech?
Sometimes someone says a sentence…
For example:
"I am going to the cinema tonight."
Later, maybe we want to tell someone else
what the first person said.
When do we use
the reported speech?
He told me he was
going to the cinema
that night.
The Reported
Speech…
We usually use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell‘.
For example:
He told me that he loved me.
He said to me that he wanted to
marry me.
Reporting Verbs… Say &
Tell
With ‘tell' we NEED to use the
direct object ('me‘, ‘you’, ‘us’).
John told me (that) he was going to be late.
With 'say' we CAN or CAN’T use
the direct object.
John said (that) he would be late.
R …
O
John said to me (that) he would be late.
Example of Reporting
Verbs…
• He decided ….
• He affirmed …
• He asked…
• He exclaimed …
• He questioned…
• He explained …
• He wondered…
• He confessed …
• He inquired…
The Reported If the sentence starts in the past, pay attention to the
Speech... following transformations…
TENSE DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED SPEECH
Present Simple I like ice cream. She said (that) she liked ice cream.
Present Continuous I am living in London. She said she was living in London.
She said she had bought a car (OR…)
Past Simple I bought a car.
She said she bought a car.
She said she had been walking along
Past Continuous I was walking along the street.
the street.
Present Perfect I haven't seen Julie She said she hadn't seen Julie.
I had taken English lessons She said she had taken English lessons
Past Perfect
before. before.
Will I'll see you later. She said she would see me later.
Would I would help, but... She said she would help but...
Can I can speak perfect English. She said she could speak perfect English
If the sentence starts in the past, pay attention to the
following transformations…
From To
this (evening) that (evening)
today/this day that day
these (days) those (days)
now then
(a week) ago (the week) before
last weekend the weekend before / the previous
weekend
here there
next (week) the following (week)
tomorrow the next/following day
Reporting Questions...
For 'wh' questions…
Direct Questions Reported Questions
Where is the Post She asked me where the Post Office
Office, please? was.
What are you doing? She asked me what I was doing.
Who was that fantastic She asked me who that fantastic
man? man had been.
Subject + Verb
Reporting Questions...
To report a 'yes / no' question… we use 'if‘…
Direct Question Reported Question
Do you love me? He asked me if I loved him.
Have you ever been to She asked me if I had ever been
Mexico? to Mexico.
Are you living here? She asked me if I was living there.
Now, let’s practise...
Reporting Statements...
Choose the correct verb...
1. Everybody said / told the concert had been
terrible.
2. I didn’t say / didn’t tell Meg that I was coming
today.
3. The Prime Minister said / told that things would
get better soon.
4. Nancy didn’t say / didn’t tell us anything.
5. Mr Jones said / told the manager he was
leaving.
6. She said / told us to stand up.
7. Alice said / told she was sick.
The Reported Speech...
Put the sentences in the Reported Speech.
1. “I’m having a party tonight.”
(that) he was having a party that night.
He said __________________________________
2. “John is so happy.”
(that) John was so happy.
Mary said ________________________________
The Reported Speech...
Put the sentences in the Reported Speech.
3. “They are going to meet Susan at four.”
(that) they were going to meet Susan at 4.
She said __________________________________
4. “I don’t understand anything!”
(that) he didn’t understand anything.
John explained ______________________________
The Reported Speech...
Put the sentences in the Reported Speech.
5. “I will write to my parents.”
(that) he would write to his parents.
Tom said __________________________________
6. “Jane has already been to France.”
(that) she had already been to France.
John explained _______________________________
a c t is e . . .
, l e t’ s p r
No w o u r o w n !
… o n y
Reporting
Reporting Questions
Statements
