Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that allows us to convey what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. Mastering reported speech is crucial for effective communication, enabling you to summarize conversations, relay information accurately, and understand complex narratives.
This skill is particularly valuable in academic writing, professional settings, and everyday conversations. This article provides a comprehensive guide to reported speech, covering its definition, structure, types, rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises to help you confidently use it in your writing and speaking.
Whether you’re an ESL learner, a student preparing for exams, or simply someone looking to improve your English grammar, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to master reported speech. We will break down the complexities into manageable parts, offering numerous examples and practical exercises to reinforce your understanding.
Let’s embark on this journey to unlock the power of reported speech!
Table of Contents
- Definition of Reported Speech
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Reported Speech
- Examples of Reported Speech
- Usage Rules for Reported Speech
- Common Mistakes in Reported Speech
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Reported Speech
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition of Reported Speech
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way of conveying what someone else has said without using their exact words. It involves paraphrasing or summarizing the original statement, question, or command.
The primary function of reported speech is to relay information from one person to another or to document past conversations. It allows us to communicate the essence of what was said without necessarily quoting the speaker verbatim.
In essence, reported speech acts as a bridge between the original utterance and the current context. It adapts the original statement to fit the grammatical structure and perspective of the reporting clause.
This often involves changes in tense, pronouns, and adverbs of time and place. Understanding the nuances of these changes is crucial for accurate and effective communication.
Reported speech is used extensively in various contexts, including news reporting, academic writing, storytelling, and everyday conversations. It is an essential skill for anyone who wants to communicate effectively in English.
By mastering the rules and conventions of reported speech, you can accurately and confidently convey information from one source to another.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure of reported speech typically involves two main clauses: the reporting clause and the reported clause. The reporting clause introduces the reported speech and usually includes a reporting verb such as say, tell, ask, or explain. The reported clause contains the paraphrased version of the original statement, question, or command.
The structure can be represented as follows:
Reporting Clause + (that) + Reported Clause
For example:
- Direct Speech: “I am going to the store,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that she was going to the store.
In this example, “She said” is the reporting clause, and “that she was going to the store” is the reported clause. Note the change in tense from “am” to “was” and the addition of the conjunction “that,” which is often optional.
The reporting verb plays a crucial role in determining the tense and structure of the reported clause. Different reporting verbs can also convey different nuances and intentions.
For example, using “suggested” instead of “said” can indicate a recommendation or proposal.
Understanding the structural components of reported speech is essential for accurately converting direct speech into reported speech and vice versa. It allows you to identify the key elements and apply the necessary changes to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.
Types of Reported Speech
Reported speech can be broadly categorized into three main types, depending on the type of utterance being reported: statements, questions, and commands/requests. Each type requires specific structural adjustments to ensure accurate and grammatically correct reporting.
Reporting Statements
Reporting statements involves conveying factual information or opinions expressed by someone else. This is perhaps the most common type of reported speech.
When reporting statements, the tense of the verb in the reported clause often changes, typically moving one step back in time.
For example:
- Direct Speech: “I like pizza,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he liked pizza.
In this case, the present simple tense “like” in the direct speech becomes the past simple tense “liked” in the reported speech. The conjunction “that” is often used to introduce the reported clause, but it can be omitted without changing the meaning.
Reporting Questions
Reporting questions involves conveying a question that someone else asked. Unlike reporting statements, reporting questions requires a different structural approach.
The word order changes from question form to statement form, and the question mark is removed. If the direct question is a yes/no question, we use “if” or “whether” to introduce the reported clause.
If it’s a wh-question (who, what, where, when, why, how), we use the same wh-word.
For example:
- Direct Speech: “Are you coming to the party?” she asked.
- Reported Speech: She asked if/whether I was coming to the party.
- Direct Speech: “Where are you going?” he asked.
- Reported Speech: He asked where I was going.
Note the change in word order from “Are you coming” to “I was coming” and “Where are you going” to “where I was going.” The auxiliary verb “are” is no longer placed before the subject in the reported clause.
Reporting Commands and Requests
Reporting commands and requests involves conveying an order or request that someone else made. This type of reported speech typically uses an infinitive form of the verb in the reported clause. The reporting verb often changes to reflect the nature of the command or request, such as told, ordered, asked, or requested.
For example:
- Direct Speech: “Close the door,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He told me to close the door.
- Direct Speech: “Please help me,” she asked.
- Reported Speech: She asked me to help her.
In these examples, the verb in the reported clause is in the infinitive form (“to close,” “to help”). The reporting verb indicates the type of command or request being made.
Examples of Reported Speech
To further illustrate the different types of reported speech, let’s examine a series of examples organized by category. These examples will demonstrate the changes in tense, pronouns, and word order that occur when converting direct speech into reported speech.
Examples of Reporting Statements
The following table provides examples of reporting statements, showing the transformation from direct speech to reported speech. Note the changes in tense and pronouns.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “I am happy,” she said. | She said that she was happy. |
| “I went to the park yesterday,” he said. | He said that he had gone to the park the day before. |
| “I will travel to Europe next year,” she said. | She said that she would travel to Europe the following year. |
| “I have finished my work,” he said. | He said that he had finished his work. |
| “I am reading a book,” she said. | She said that she was reading a book. |
| “I can speak Spanish,” he said. | He said that he could speak Spanish. |
| “I may go to the cinema,” she said. | She said that she might go to the cinema. |
| “I must study harder,” he said. | He said that he had to study harder. |
| “I should call my mother,” she said. | She said that she should call her mother. |
| “I might be late,” he said. | He said that he might be late. |
| “I have been working here for five years,” she said. | She said that she had been working there for five years. |
| “I had already eaten dinner,” he said. | He said that he had already eaten dinner. |
| “I was watching TV,” she said. | She said that she had been watching TV. |
| “I visited Rome last summer,” he said. | He said that he had visited Rome the previous summer. |
| “I live in London,” she said. | She said that she lived in London. |
| “I don’t like coffee,” he said. | He said that he didn’t like coffee. |
| “I am not feeling well,” she said. | She said that she wasn’t feeling well. |
| “I haven’t seen him today,” he said. | He said that he hadn’t seen him that day. |
| “I won’t be there,” she said. | She said that she wouldn’t be there. |
| “I wasn’t listening,” he said. | He said that he hadn’t been listening. |
| “I am going to buy a new car,” she said. | She said that she was going to buy a new car. |
| “I am meeting John tomorrow,” he said. | He said that he was meeting John the next day. |
| “I have to leave now,” she said. | She said that she had to leave then. |
| “I saw a movie last night,” he said. | He said that he had seen a movie the previous night. |
| “I will call you later,” she said. | She said that she would call me later. |
| “I bought this yesterday,” he said. | He said that he had bought that the day before. |
| “I will be studying all day,” she said. | She said that she would be studying all day. |
| “I am traveling to Paris next week,” he said. | He said that he was traveling to Paris the following week. |
| “I have known her for years,” she said. | She said that she had known her for years. |
This table demonstrates how statements are transformed from direct to reported speech, with key changes in tense, pronouns, and time expressions.
Examples of Reporting Questions
The following table provides examples of reporting questions, illustrating the changes in word order and the use of “if” or “whether” for yes/no questions.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “Are you happy?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I was happy. |
| “Where did you go?” he asked. | He asked where I had gone. |
| “Will you come?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I would come. |
| “Have you finished?” he asked. | He asked if/whether I had finished. |
| “What are you doing?” she asked. | She asked what I was doing. |
| “Can you help me?” he asked. | He asked if/whether I could help him. |
| “May I leave?” she asked. | She asked if/whether she might leave. |
| “Must I go?” he asked. | He asked if/whether he had to go. |
| “Should I call him?” she asked. | She asked if/whether she should call him. |
| “Might it rain?” he asked. | He asked if/whether it might rain. |
| “Have you been working?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I had been working. |
| “Had you already eaten?” he asked. | He asked if/whether I had already eaten. |
| “Were you watching TV?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I had been watching TV. |
| “Did you visit Rome?” he asked. | He asked if/whether I had visited Rome. |
| “Do you live in London?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I lived in London. |
| “Don’t you like coffee?” he asked. | He asked if/whether I didn’t like coffee. |
| “Aren’t you feeling well?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I wasn’t feeling well. |
| “Haven’t you seen him?” he asked. | He asked if/whether I hadn’t seen him. |
| “Won’t you be there?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I wouldn’t be there. |
| “Weren’t you listening?” he asked. | He asked if/whether I hadn’t been listening. |
| “Are you going to buy it?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I was going to buy it. |
| “When are you leaving?” he asked. | He asked when I was leaving. |
| “Why did you do that?” she asked. | She asked why I had done that. |
| “How are you feeling?” he asked. | He asked how I was feeling. |
| “Who is coming to the party?” she asked. | She asked who was coming to the party. |
| “Which one do you prefer?” he asked. | He asked which one I preferred. |
| “Whose book is this?” she asked. | She asked whose book that was. |
| “Where have you been?” he asked. | He asked where I had been. |
| “Is it raining?” she asked. | She asked if/whether it was raining. |
This table provides a clear overview of how questions are transformed in reported speech, including changes in word order and the introduction of “if” or “whether.”
Examples of Reporting Commands and Requests
The following table provides examples of reporting commands and requests, demonstrating the use of the infinitive form of the verb and different reporting verbs.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “Close the door,” he said. | He told me to close the door. |
| “Please help me,” she asked. | She asked me to help her. |
| “Don’t be late,” he said. | He told me not to be late. |
| “Do your homework,” she said. | She told me to do my homework. |
| “Please be quiet,” he requested. | He requested me to be quiet. |
| “Don’t touch that,” she warned. | She warned me not to touch that. |
| “Come here,” he ordered. | He ordered me to come there. |
| “Please wait here,” she asked. | She asked me to wait there. |
| “Don’t forget,” he reminded. | He reminded me not to forget. |
| “Try harder,” she encouraged. | She encouraged me to try harder. |
| “Be careful,” he advised. | He advised me to be careful. |
| “Don’t worry,” she reassured. | She reassured me not to worry. |
| “Study hard,” he urged. | He urged me to study hard. |
| “Please forgive me,” she begged. | She begged me to forgive her. |
| “Don’t give up,” he motivated. | He motivated me not to give up. |
| “Think twice,” she cautioned. | She cautioned me to think twice. |
| “Please consider it,” he requested. | He requested me to consider it. |
| “Don’t be afraid,” she comforted. | She comforted me not to be afraid. |
| “Listen carefully,” he instructed. | He instructed me to listen carefully. |
| “Please remember me,” she pleaded. | She pleaded with me to remember her. |
| “Don’t lie,” he scolded. | He scolded me not to lie. |
| “Follow me,” she guided. | She guided me to follow her. |
| “Please accept my apology,” he apologized. | He apologized and asked me to accept his apology. |
| “Don’t move,” she commanded. | She commanded me not to move. |
| “Help yourself,” he offered. | He offered me to help myself. |
| “Please take a seat,” she offered. | She offered me to take a seat. |
| “Sign here,” he indicated. | He indicated for me to sign there. |
| “Wait for me,” she called out. | She called out for me to wait for her. |
This table illustrates the transformation of commands and requests into reported speech, showcasing the use of the infinitive form and various reporting verbs that convey the intention of the original speaker.
Usage Rules for Reported Speech
Several key rules govern the correct usage of reported speech. These rules involve changes in tense, pronouns, and adverbs of time and place.
Understanding and applying these rules is essential for accurate and grammatically correct reporting.
Tense Changes
One of the most important aspects of reported speech is the change in tense. Generally, the tense of the verb in the reported clause moves one step back in time compared to the direct speech.
This is known as backshifting.
Here’s a summary of the typical tense changes:
- Present Simple → Past Simple
- Present Continuous → Past Continuous
- Past Simple → Past Perfect Simple
- Present Perfect Simple → Past Perfect Simple
- Past Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
- Future Simple (will) → Conditional Simple (would)
For example:
- Direct Speech: “I am happy,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that she was happy.
- Direct Speech: “I was reading a book,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he had been reading a book.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the statement in direct speech expresses a universal truth or a fact that is still true, the tense does not change.
For example:
- Direct Speech: “The Earth is round,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that the Earth is round.
Pronoun Changes
Pronouns often need to be changed in reported speech to reflect the perspective of the reporter. The pronouns must agree with the subject and object of the reporting clause.
For example:
- Direct Speech: “I like my car,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he liked his car.
- Direct Speech: “I will help you,” she said to me.
- Reported Speech: She told me that she would help me.
In these examples, the pronouns “I” and “my” are changed to “he” and “his” to reflect that the speaker is reporting what someone else said about themselves.
Time and Place Expression Changes
Adverbs of time and place often need to be changed in reported speech to reflect the difference in context between the direct speech and the reporting context.
Here are some common changes:
- now → then
- today → that day
- yesterday → the day before/the previous day
- tomorrow → the next day/the following day
- last week → the previous week
- next week → the following week
- here → there
- this → that
- these → those
For example:
- Direct Speech: “I will see you tomorrow,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he would see me the next day.
- Direct Speech: “I am here now,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that she was there then.
Reporting Verbs
The choice of reporting verb can significantly affect the meaning and nuance of the reported speech. While say and tell are common reporting verbs, others can convey different intentions or attitudes.
Here are some examples of different reporting verbs and their connotations:
| Reporting Verb | Connotation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| said | Neutral | He said that he was tired. |
| told | Giving information | She told me that she was going to the store. |
| asked | Inquiring | He asked if I was coming. |
| explained | Providing details | She explained that the process was complicated. |
| suggested | Making a proposal | He suggested that we go to the beach. |
| advised | Giving guidance | She advised me to study hard. |
| warned | Giving a caution | He warned me not to be late. |
| complained | Expressing dissatisfaction | She complained that the food was cold. |
| agreed | Expressing concurrence | He agreed that it was a good idea. |
| denied | Refuting a statement | She denied that she had taken the money. |
By choosing the appropriate reporting verb, you can accurately convey the speaker’s intention and attitude in the reported speech.
Common Mistakes in Reported Speech
Several common mistakes can occur when using reported speech. Being aware of these mistakes can help you avoid them and improve the accuracy of your reporting.
Incorrect Tense Changes: Failing to backshift the tense correctly is a common error.
- Incorrect: He said that he is happy.
- Correct: He said that he was happy.
Incorrect Pronoun Changes: Not changing pronouns to reflect the reporter’s perspective is another frequent mistake.
- Incorrect: She told me that I will help you.
- Correct: She told me that she would help me.
Incorrect Time and Place Changes: Forgetting to adjust adverbs of time and place can also lead to errors.
- Incorrect: He said he would see me tomorrow.
- Correct: He said he would see me the next day.
Incorrect Word Order in Reported Questions: Not changing the word order from question form to statement form in reported questions is a common mistake.
- Incorrect: She asked where were you going?
- Correct: She asked where I was going.
By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can significantly improve the accuracy and clarity of your reported speech.
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of reported speech, complete the following practice exercises. These exercises cover the different types of reported speech and will help you practice applying the rules and conventions discussed in this article.
Exercise 1: Converting Direct Speech to Reported Speech (Statements)
Convert the following sentences from direct speech to reported speech.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. “I am going to the beach,” she said. | She said that she was going to the beach. |
| 2. “I visited my family last week,” he said. | He said that he had visited his family the previous week. |
| 3. “I will buy a new car next month,” she said. | She said that she would buy a new car the following month. |
| 4. “I have finished my homework,” he said. | He said that he had finished his homework. |
| 5. “I am reading an interesting book,” she said. | She said that she was reading an interesting book. |
| 6. “I can play the guitar,” he said. | He said that he could play the guitar. |
| 7. “I may travel to Italy,” she said. | She said that she might travel to Italy. |
| 8. “I must study for the exam,” he said. | He said that he had to study for the exam. |
| 9. “I should call my doctor,” she said. | She said that she should call her doctor. |
| 10. “I might be late for the meeting,” he said. | He said that he might be late for the meeting. |
Exercise 2: Converting Direct Speech to Reported Speech (Questions)
Convert the following sentences from direct speech to reported speech.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. “Are you coming to the party?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I was coming to the party. |
| 2. “Where did you go last night?” he asked. | He asked where I had gone the previous night. |
| 3. “Will you help me with this project?” she asked. | She asked if/whether I would help her with that project. |
| 4. “Have you seen the new movie?” he asked. | He asked if/whether I had seen the new movie. |
| 5. “What are you planning to do this weekend?” she asked. | She asked what I was planning to do that weekend. |
| 6. “Can you speak French fluently?” he asked. | He asked if/whether I could speak French fluently. |
| 7. “May I borrow your pen?” she asked. | She asked if/whether she might borrow my pen. |
| 8. “Must I finish this report today?” he asked. | He asked if/whether he had to finish that report that day. |
| 9. “Should I invest in this company?” she asked. | She asked if/whether she should invest in that company. |
| 10. “Might it snow tomorrow?” he asked. | He asked if/whether it might snow the next day. |
Exercise 3: Converting Direct Speech to Reported Speech (Commands)
Convert the following sentences from direct speech to reported speech.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. “Close the windows,” he told me. | He told me to close the windows. |
| 2. “Please help me carry these bags,” she asked. | She asked me to help her carry those bags. |
| 3. “Don’t forget to buy milk,” he reminded me. | He reminded me not to forget to buy milk. |
| 4. “Do your best on the test,” she encouraged me. | She encouraged me to do my best on the test. |
| 5. “Be careful while driving,” he advised me. | He advised me to be careful while driving. |
| 6. “Don’t worry about the small details,” she reassured me. | She reassured me not to worry about the small details. |
| 7. “Study regularly for better results,” he urged me. | He urged me to study regularly for better results. |
| 8. “Please forgive me for my mistake,” she begged me. | She begged me to forgive her for her mistake. |
| 9. “Don’t give up on your dreams,” he motivated me. | He motivated me not to give up on my dreams. |
| 10. “Think twice before making a decision,” she cautioned me. | She cautioned me to think twice before making a decision. |
Advanced Topics in Reported Speech
For advanced learners, there are several more complex aspects of reported speech to explore. These include the use of modal verbs, conditional sentences, and reporting with gerunds and infinitives.
Modal Verbs
in Reported Speech
Modal verbs often require special attention in reported speech. While some modal verbs change, others remain the same.
Here’s a guide to how modal verbs are typically handled:
- can → could
- may → might
- must → had to (in many cases, but sometimes remains ‘must’ if expressing a continued obligation)
- will → would
- should, could, might, and ought to generally remain unchanged.
Examples:
- Direct Speech: “I can help you,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he could help me.
- Direct Speech: “I may go to the party,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that she might go to the party.
- Direct Speech: “I must finish this report,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he had to finish that report.
When ‘must’ expresses a continuous obligation or a universal truth, it can remain unchanged:
- Direct Speech: “Students must wear uniforms,” the principal said.
- Reported Speech: The principal said that students must wear uniforms.
Conditional Sentences in Reported Speech
Conditional sentences also require careful handling in reported speech. The changes depend on the type of conditional sentence.
- Type 0 (Zero Conditional): If the condition and result are always true, the tense usually remains the same.
- Type 1 (First Conditional): The ‘will’ in the main clause changes to ‘would’.
- Type 2 (Second Conditional): The tense in both clauses generally remains the same, but ‘would’ is used.
- Type 3 (Third Conditional): The tense in both clauses remains the same.
Examples:
- Direct Speech: “If you heat water, it boils,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that if you heat water, it boils. (Type 0)
- Direct Speech: “If it rains, I will stay home,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that if it rained, he would stay home. (Type 1)
- Direct Speech: “If I had more time, I would travel more,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that if she had more time, she would travel more. (Type 2)
- Direct Speech: “If I had known, I would have helped,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that if he had known, he would have helped. (Type 3)
Reporting with Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds (verbs ending in ‘-ing’ used as nouns) and infinitives (to + verb) can be used with certain reporting verbs to convey specific meanings. This is often used to report suggestions, admissions, denials, and more.
Examples with Gerunds:
- Direct Speech: “I suggest going to the cinema,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She suggested going to the cinema.
- Direct Speech: “I admit taking the money,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He admitted taking the money.
Examples with Infinitives:
- Direct Speech: “I advised you to study harder,” she said.
- Reported Speech: She advised me to study harder.
- Direct Speech: “I promised to help you,” he said.
- Reported Speech: He promised to help me.
Using gerunds and infinitives can make reported speech more concise and natural, especially when reporting certain types of statements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I always omit “that” in reported speech?
While “that” is often optional when reporting statements, it’s generally a good practice to include it for clarity, especially in formal writing. Omitting “that” is more common in informal speech.
What if the original speaker used slang or informal language?
When reporting speech that includes slang or informal language, you have a few options. You can either attempt to paraphrase the slang into more formal language while retaining the original meaning, or you can include the slang within the reported speech, possibly with an explanation in parentheses if necessary for clarity.
The best approach depends on the context and your audience.
How do I report speech from multiple people?
When reporting speech from multiple people, be sure to clearly attribute each statement to the correct speaker. You can do this by using different reporting clauses for each speaker or by including names or identifying information within the reported speech.
Are there any situations where tense changes are not necessary?
Yes, there are situations where tense changes are not necessary. These include when the original statement expresses a universal truth, a fact that is still true, or when the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g., “He says that…”).
How do I handle reported speech within reported speech?
Handling reported speech within reported speech can be complex, but the key is to apply the rules of tense and pronoun changes consistently at each level of reporting. Take it step by step to ensure accuracy.
Conclusion
Mastering reported speech is an essential skill for effective communication in English. By understanding the structure, types, and usage rules, you can accurately and confidently convey information from one source to another.
Remember to pay attention to tense changes, pronoun adjustments, and adverbs of time and place. Practice regularly to reinforce your understanding and avoid common mistakes.
With dedication and practice, you can unlock the power of reported speech and enhance your communication skills in various contexts.