REPORTED SPEECH

What is Reported Speech?

Reported Speech is used to report or convey someone else’s words without quoting them directly. Instead of repeating the exact words, we change the original speech to fit grammatically into our own sentence.

Direct Speech: She said, “I am tired.”

Reported Speech: She said that she was tired.

Key Changes in Reported Speech

1. Pronouns change according to the speaker and listener.
2. Tenses usually shift one step back (unless the reporting verb is in present/future tense).
3. Time and place words often change.

Common Word Changes

Direct Speech Word — Indirect Speech Word

now — then

today — that day

tomorrow — the day before

yesterday — the day before / the previous day

here — there

this — that

these — those

Types of Reported Speech

1. Reporting Statements

Reporting Verbs: say, tell, reply, inform, state, etc.

Structure:

Reporting Verb + that + Reported Clause

Rules:

• Remove commas and inverted commas.
• Change tense (if reporting verb is in past).
• Change pronouns and time references.

Examples:

Direct: She said, “I like pizza.”

Indirect: She said that she liked pizza.

Direct: He said, “My brother is playing football.”

Indirect: He said that his brother was playing football.

Direct: They said, “We have finished the homework.”

Indirect: They said that they had finished the homework.

2. Reporting Questions

Reporting Verbs: ask, inquire, wonder, want to know

Structure:

For Yes/No Questions

Reporting Verb + if/whether + Subject + Verb

Direct: He said, “Are you fine?”

Indirect: He asked if I was fine.

For Wh- Questions

Reporting Verb + Wh-word + Subject + Verb

Direct: She asked, “Where do you live?”

Indirect: She asked where I lived.

Direct: He asked, “What is your name?”

Indirect: He asked what my name was.

Direct: The teacher asked, “Why are you late?”

Indirect: The teacher asked why I was late.

Rules:

• Remove question marks.
• Change pronouns, tense, and word order (question → statement format).

3. Reporting Commands / Requests / Advice

Reporting Verbs: tell, order, request, advise, warn, beg, suggest

Structure:

Reporting Verb + to/not to + base verb

Examples:

Direct: She said to me, “Open the door.”

Indirect: She told me to open the door.

Direct: The teacher said, “Do your homework.”

Indirect: The teacher advised me to do my homework.

Direct: He said, “Don’t make noise.”

Indirect: He told me not to make noise.

Direct: She said, “Please help me.”

Indirect: She requested me to help her.

Rules:

• Use “to” + verb for commands.
• Use “not to” for negative commands.
• Use appropriate reporting verb depending on tone (e.g. beg, warn, request).

Tense Change Chart (Only if the reporting verb is in past)

Direct Speech Tense — Indirect Speech Tense

Simple Present — Simple Past

Present Continuous — Past Continuous

Present Perfect — Past Perfect

Present Perfect Continuous — Past Perfect Continuous

Simple Past — Past Perfect

Past Continuous — Past Perfect Continuous

Future (will) — Would

Can — Could

May — Might

• Universal truths retain their tense.
• No change in tense if the reporting verb is in the present/future tense.

Example:

Direct: He said, “The sun rises in the east.”

Indirect: He said that the sun rises in the east.