Reported Speech: Understanding the Basics

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, involves conveying someone else's statements or thoughts. Transforming direct speech into reported speech follows specific rules.

1. Pronoun Changes: 2. Verb Changes: 3. Time and Place 4. Reporting Verbs: 5. Changes in
Changes: Demonstratives and
Adverbs:
Change pronouns to match the Adjust the verb tense to reflect the Modify time expressions and place Utilize appropriate reporting verbs
Adjust demonstratives (this, these,
perspective of the reporting speaker. reporting time. references. like "said," "told," "explained," etc.
that, those) and adverbs of time and
Example: Direct - She said, "I am Example: Direct - He said, "I will Example: Direct - Mary said, "I'll meet Example: Direct - Tom said, "I love
place.
busy." come." Reported - He said that he you here tomorrow." this book."
Example: Direct - Sarah said, "This is
Reported - She said that she was would come. Reported - Mary said that she would Reported - Tom mentioned that he
my car." Reported - Sarah said that
busy. meet me there the next day. loved the book.
that was her car.

6. Punctuation Changes: 7. Questions

Transformation:

Remove quotation marks and adjust Change questions into reported

punctuation. speech.
Example: Direct - "I have finished my Example: Direct - "Are you coming?"
work," she said. she asked.
Reported - She said that she had Reported - She asked if I was
finished her work. coming.

Understanding these rules ensures accurate communication of someone else's words while maintaining grammatical coherence in reported speech.

CATEGORIES IN REPORTED SPEECH:

1. Statements: 2. Questions: 3. Commands: 4. Requests: 5. Offers: 6. Suggestions: 7. Expressing

Possibility:

Direct: "I am reading a book." Direct: "Are you coming to the Direct: "Close the door." Direct: "Could you help me Direct: "I'll assist you." Direct: "Why don't you try this Direct: "It might rain
Reported: She said that she party?" Reported: He commanded with this?" Reported: He offered to assist. approach?" tomorrow."
was reading a book. Reported: She asked if I was me to close the door. Reported: She asked if I could Reported: She suggested that Reported: He said that it
coming to the party. help her with that. I try that approach. might rain the next day.

8. Giving Advice: 9. Expressing 10. Expressing

Certainty: Uncertainty:

Direct: "You should take a Direct: "I am sure he will Direct: "I don't know where he
break." come." is."
Reported: She advised me to Reported: She was sure that Reported: She admitted that
take a break. he would come. she didn't know where he was.

[NOTE: Remember that each category follows specific rules for pronoun, verb tense, and other changes to ensure accuracy in conveying the reported speech.]