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Reported speech
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Reported Speech – Rules, Examples & Worksheet
| Candace Osmond
Candace Osmond
Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.
They say gossip is a natural part of human life. That’s why language has evolved to develop grammatical rules about the “he said” and “she said” statements. We call them reported speech.
Every time we use reported speech in English, we are talking about something said by someone else in the past. Thinking about it brings me back to high school, when reported speech was the main form of language!
Learn all about the definition, rules, and examples of reported speech as I go over everything. I also included a worksheet at the end of the article so you can test your knowledge of the topic.
What Does Reported Speech Mean?
Reported speech is a term we use when telling someone what another person said. You can do this while speaking or writing.
There are two kinds of reported speech you can use: direct speech and indirect speech. I’ll break each down for you.
A direct speech sentence mentions the exact words the other person said. For example:
- Kryz said, “These are all my necklaces.”
Indirect speech changes the original speaker’s words. For example:
- Kryz said those were all her necklaces.
When we tell someone what another individual said, we use reporting verbs like told, asked, convinced, persuaded, and said. We also change the first-person figure in the quotation into the third-person speaker.
Reported Speech Examples
We usually talk about the past every time we use reported speech. That’s because the time of speaking is already done. For example:
- Direct speech: The employer asked me, “Do you have experience with people in the corporate setting?”
Indirect speech: The employer asked me if I had experience with people in the corporate setting.
- Direct speech: “I’m working on my thesis,” I told James.
Indirect speech: I told James that I was working on my thesis.
Reported Speech Structure
A speech report has two parts: the reporting clause and the reported clause. Read the example below:
- Harry said, “You need to help me.”
The reporting clause here is William said. Meanwhile, the reported clause is the 2nd clause, which is I need your help.
What are the 4 Types of Reported Speech?
Aside from direct and indirect, reported speech can also be divided into four. The four types of reported speech are similar to the kinds of sentences: imperative, interrogative, exclamatory, and declarative.
Reported Speech Rules
The rules for reported speech can be complex. But with enough practice, you’ll be able to master them all.
Choose Whether to Use That or If
The most common conjunction in reported speech is that. You can say, “My aunt says she’s outside,” or “My aunt says that she’s outside.”
Use if when you’re reporting a yes-no question. For example:
- Direct speech: “Are you coming with us?”
Indirect speech: She asked if she was coming with them.
Verb Tense Changes
Change the reporting verb into its past form if the statement is irrelevant now. Remember that some of these words are irregular verbs, meaning they don’t follow the typical -d or -ed pattern. For example:
- Direct speech: I dislike fried chicken.
Reported speech: She said she disliked fried chicken.
Note how the main verb in the reported statement is also in the past tense verb form.
Use the simple present tense in your indirect speech if the initial words remain relevant at the time of reporting. This verb tense also works if the report is something someone would repeat. For example:
- Slater says they’re opening a restaurant soon.
- Maya says she likes dogs.
This rule proves that the choice of verb tense is not a black-and-white question. The reporter needs to analyze the context of the action.
Move the tense backward when the reporting verb is in the past tense. That means:
- Present simple becomes past simple.
- Present perfect becomes past perfect.
- Present continuous becomes past continuous.
- Past simple becomes past perfect.
- Past continuous becomes past perfect continuous.
Here are some examples:
- The singer has left the building. (present perfect)
He said that the singers had left the building. (past perfect)
- Her sister gave her new shows. (past simple)
- She said that her sister had given her new shoes. (past perfect)
If the original speaker is discussing the future, change the tense of the reporting verb into the past form. There’ll also be a change in the auxiliary verbs.
- Will or shall becomes would.
- Will be becomes would be.
- Will have been becomes would have been.
- Will have becomes would have.
For example:
- Direct speech: “I will be there in a moment.”
Indirect speech: She said that she would be there in a moment.
Do not change the verb tenses in indirect speech when the sentence has a time clause. This rule applies when the introductory verb is in the future, present, and present perfect. Here are other conditions where you must not change the tense:
- If the sentence is a fact or generally true.
- If the sentence’s verb is in the unreal past (using second or third conditional).
- If the original speaker reports something right away.
- Do not change had better, would, used to, could, might, etc.
Changes in Place and Time Reference
Changing the place and time adverb when using indirect speech is essential. For example, now becomes then and today becomes that day. Here are more transformations in adverbs of time and places.
- This – that.
- These – those.
- Now – then.
- Here – there.
- Tomorrow – the next/following day.
- Two weeks ago – two weeks before.
- Yesterday – the day before.
Here are some examples.
- Direct speech: “I am baking cookies now.”
Indirect speech: He said he was baking cookies then.
- Direct speech: “Myra went here yesterday.”
Indirect speech: She said Myra went there the day before.
- Direct speech: “I will go to the market tomorrow.”
Indirect speech: She said she would go to the market the next day.
Using Modals
If the direct speech contains a modal verb, make sure to change them accordingly.
- Will becomes would
- Can becomes could
- Shall becomes should or would.
- Direct speech: “Will you come to the ball with me?”
Indirect speech: He asked if he would come to the ball with me.
- Direct speech: “Gina can inspect the room tomorrow because she’s free.”
Indirect speech: He said Gina could inspect the room the next day because she’s free.
However, sometimes, the modal verb should does not change grammatically. For example:
- Direct speech: “He should go to the park.”
Indirect speech: She said that he should go to the park.
Imperative Sentences
To change an imperative sentence into a reported indirect sentence, use to for imperative and not to for negative sentences. Never use the word that in your indirect speech. Another rule is to remove the word please . Instead, say request or say. For example:
- “Please don’t interrupt the event,” said the host.
The host requested them not to interrupt the event.
- Jonah told her, “Be careful.”
- Jonah ordered her to be careful.
Reported Questions
When reporting a direct question, I would use verbs like inquire, wonder, ask, etc. Remember that we don’t use a question mark or exclamation mark for reports of questions. Below is an example I made of how to change question forms.
- Incorrect: He asked me where I live?
Correct: He asked me where I live.
Here’s another example. The first sentence uses direct speech in a present simple question form, while the second is the reported speech.
- Where do you live?
She asked me where I live.
Wrapping Up Reported Speech
My guide has shown you an explanation of reported statements in English. Do you have a better grasp on how to use it now?
Reported speech refers to something that someone else said. It contains a subject, reporting verb, and a reported cause.
Don’t forget my rules for using reported speech. Practice the correct verb tense, modal verbs, time expressions, and place references.
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Reported Speech Exercise 4
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- Review all reported statments, questions, orders and requests here
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Reported questions – Exercise
Task no. 2323.
Finish the sentences using Reported speech. Always change the tense, although it is sometimes not necessary.
Peter, "Did John clean the black shoes?" Peter asked me
Peter asked me if John had cleaned the black shoes .
Do you need help?
Reported questions in English
- Christopher, "Do you want to dance?" Christopher asked me .
- Betty, "When did you come?" Betty wanted to know .
- Mark, "Has John arrived?" Mark asked me .
- Ronald, "Where does Maria park her car?" Ronald asked me .
- Elisabeth, "Did you watch the latest film?" Elisabeth asked me .
- Mandy, "Can I help you?" Mandy wanted to know .
- Andrew, "Will Mandy have lunch with Sue?" Andrew asked me .
- Justin, "What are you doing?" Justin asked me .
- Frank, "How much pocket money does Lisa get?" Frank wanted to know .
- Anne, "Must I do the shopping?" Anne asked .
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Reported Speech ESL Printable Worksheets and Exercises
Reported speech esl grammar exercises worksheet.
Indirect Speech ESL Grammar Exercise Worksheet
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Reported speech - Two lessons. Powerpoints & Worksheets
Subject: English language learning
Age range: 11-14
Resource type: Lesson (complete)
Last updated
10 May 2024
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These lessons cover:
Lesson 1 Direct speech vs reported speech Formation of reported statements Pronoun changes Tense changes Time & place changes
Lesson 2 Review of first lesson Formation of reported questions Yes / No questions Wh- word questions
Each lesson is accompanied by a color worksheet which concisely summarizes the information contained in the presentations, giving your students the chance to practice either in class or at home.
No lesson plan or answer key required. Everything is contained within the presentations. Just plug and play!
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Reported speech 2. Reported requests and orders. Reported speech exercise. Reported questions - worksheet. Indirect speech - worksheet. Worksheets pdf - print. Grammar worksheets - handouts. Grammar - lessons. Reported speech - grammar notes.
RS008 - Reported Questions. RS007 - Reported Speech. RS006 - Reported Speech. RS005 - Reported Speech. RS004 - Reported Speech. RS003 - Reported Speech. RS002 - Reported Speech - Mixed Exercises. RS001 - Reported Speech - Mixed Exercises. Adjective and Adverbs - Downloadable PDF Worksheets for English Language Learners - Intermediate Level (B1)
Perfect English Grammar. Here's a list of all the reported speech exercises on this site: ( Click here to read the explanations about reported speech ) Reported Statements: Present Simple Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here) Present Continuous Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy)
Reported speech - step by step * Step 1 * Grammar part 1. This time I collected a lot of useful information about the reported speech. First I want to share the grammar of the reported speech with you.
To change an imperative sentence into a reported indirect sentence, use to for imperative and not to for negative sentences. Never use the word that in your indirect speech. Another rule is to remove the word please. Instead, say request or say. For example: "Please don't interrupt the event," said the host.
Reported Questions - PDF Grammar Worksheet - B1 - RS008 Author: Nikolaus ROSMANITZ Subject: Reported Questions - PDF Grammar Worksheet - B1 \(Intermediate\) Created Date: 5/13/2020 5:12:39 AM ...
Wear my Hat - Reported Speech Song. This is the Phil Collins song "Wear My Hat", which is perfect for reported speech practice. The video is quite funny, and is available on Youtube. Students must tra... 1321 uses. A selection of English ESL reported speech: reported questions (indirect questions) printables.
A selection of English ESL reported speech printables. reported speech. Worksheets. Powerpoints. Video Lessons. Search. Filters. 393 Reported speech English ESL worksheets pdf & doc. SORT BY. Most popular. TIME PERIOD. All-time. ... Reported Speech. Orders - Statement - 32317 uses. missaldana. Reported Speech. Questions. 30517 uses. Ktam ...
Students > Solutions > Intermediate > Grammar > Unit 6 - Exercise 2 - Reported speech (questions) Speaking English; Grammar Unit 6 - Exercise 2 - Reported speech (questions) ...
The twins said that they were five years old. Mum said, "You will have to get up early for the trip tomorrow." Mum said that we (I, they,he,she) would have to get up early for the trip the following day. The teacher told her, "You speak English very well." The teacher told her that she spoke English very well.
The main content of this worksheet revolves around Reported Speech sentences, focusing on transforming statements and questions from direct speech into reported speech. Through this exercise, students will learn how to accurately convey what others have said in a different form while maintaining the original meaning.
Here's a mixed exercise about reported speech - it includes statements, questions, orders and requests. Review all reported statments, questions, orders and requests here; Download this quiz in PDF here; More reported speech exercises here
Reported Speech. Greg: "I am cooking dinner Maya.". Maya: "Greg said he was cooking dinner.". So most often, the reported speech is going to be in the past tense, because the original statement, will now be in the past! *We will learn about reporting verbs in part 2 of this lesson, but for now we will just use said/told.
Reported questions in English, Questions, Question, Online Exercise. Task No. 2323. Finish the sentences using Reported speech. Always change the tense, although it is sometimes not necessary.. Show example
ESL Reported Speech Activity - Grammar and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions, Forming Sentences, True or False, Guessing - Group Work - Pre-intermediate (A2) - 40 minutes. In this entertaining reported speech speaking activity, students interview each other giving true or false answers and then use reported speech to compare what the ...
It consists of seventeen statements to rewrite in the reported speech. All the statements are in the Present Simple. An answer key is provided. Donate a coffee. English ESL Worksheets. Grammar Topics. Reported Speech (Indirect speech) Reported Speech. Zmarques. 102024.
Reported statements and reported questions. School subject: English as a Second Language (ESL) (1061958) Main content: Reported speech (2013113)
Language: English (en) ID: 628805. 12/01/2021. Country code: CZ. Country: Czechia. School subject: English as a Second Language (ESL) (1061958) Main content: Reported speech (2013113) From worksheet author: Change the direct speech into reported speech.
Reported Speech ESL Grammar Exercises Worksheet. A colorful ESL grammar exercises worksheet for kids to study and learn reported speech. Read the short grammar information about Reported Speech for present simple, past simple and will future tense and do the exercises. Simple and useful for teaching and learning reported speech in English.
Further practice to consolidate students knowledge on Reported Speech (only statements, Wh- and Yes/No questions, and orders). The worksheet also includes reverse transformation from Reported Speech to Direct Speech and an exercise to correct mistakes.
Language: English (en) ID: 70308. 26/03/2020. Country code: EC. Country: Ecuador. School subject: English as a Second Language (ESL) (1061958) Main content: Reported speech (2013113) From worksheet author: Reported speech practice.
Formation of reported questions Yes / No questions Wh- word questions. Each lesson is accompanied by a color worksheet which concisely summarizes the information contained in the presentations, giving your students the chance to practice either in class or at home. No lesson plan or answer key required. Everything is contained within the ...