Reported Speech
Definition of Reported Speech
Reported speech (also called indirect speech) is the
way of reporting or conveying what someone said
without quoting their exact words.
Definition:
Reported speech is the form of speech in which the
exact words of a speaker are not repeated.
Instead, the speaker's words are expressed in the
reporter's own words, usually with changes in tense,
pronouns, and time expressions.
Example:
Direct Speech: She said, "I am tired."
Reported Speech: She said that she was tired.
Reported speech is commonly used in conversations,
news reports, and writing to describe what someone has
said.
Rules to be Followed When Using Reported Speech
Do not use quotation marks in reported speech.
Do not repeat the speaker's exact words.
Use reporting verbs such as said, told, asked,
requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed, or
screamed.
For a declarative sentence (states a fact, idea, or
opinion and ends with a period.)use said or told
followed by that.
Example: He said, "I am happy." → He said that he
was happy.
End a reported declarative sentence with a full stop
(.).
For an interrogative sentence(a type of sentence that
asks a question to gather information, clarification, or
confirmation), use asked, inquired, or enquired.
Remove the question mark (?).
For an imperative sentence(gives a command, makes a
request, or offers advice)use requested, ordered,
commanded, or pleaded.
Example: The teacher said, "Sit down." → The
teacher ordered the students to sit down.
For an exclamatory sentence (conveys strong emotions
—such as joy, anger, surprise, or excitement—and
always ends with an exclamation mark) use exclaimed.
Remove the exclamation mark (!).
Change the sentence structure to match the rules of
reported speech.
Transforming Direct Speech into Reported Speech
when transforming a sentence from direct speech into
reported speech, you will have to change the pronouns,
tense and adverbs of time and place used by the
speaker.
Table 1 – Change of Pronouns
Direct Speech Reported Speech
I He, she
Me Him, her
We They
Us Them
You He, she, they
You Him, her, them
My His, her
Mine His, hers
Our Their
Ours Theirs
Your His, her, their
Yours His, hers, theirs
Table 2 – Change of Adverbs of Place and Adverbs
of Time
Direct Speech Reported Speech
This That
These Those
Adverbs of Place
Here There
Adverbs of Time
Now Then
Today That day
Tomorrow The next day / The following day
Yesterday The previous day
Tonight That night
Last week The week before
Next week The week after
Last month The previous month
Next month The following month
Last year The previous year
Next year The following year
Ago Before
Thus So
Table 3 – Change of Tense
Direct Speech Reported Speech
Simple Present Simple Past
Example: Preethi said, “I cook Example: Preethi said that she
pasta.” cooked pasta.
Present Continuous Past Continuous
Example: Preethi said, “I am Example: Preethi said that she
cooking pasta.” was cooking pasta.
Present Perfect Past Perfect
Example: Preethi said, “I have Example: Preethi said that she
cooked pasta.” had cooked pasta.
Present Perfect Past Perfect Continuous
Example: Preethi said, “I have Example: Preethi said that she
been cooking pasta.” had been cooking pasta.
Simple Past Past Perfect
Example: Preethi said, “I Example: Preethi said that she
cooked pasta.” had cooked pasta.
Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous
Example: Preethi said, “I was Example: Preethi said that she
cooking pasta.” had been cooking pasta.
Past Perfect Past Perfect (No change)
Example: Preethi said, “I had Example: Preethi said that she
cooked pasta.” had cooked pasta.
Past Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous (No
change)
Example: Preethi said, “I had Example: Preethi said that she
been cooking pasta.” had been cooking pasta.
Table 4 – Change of Modal Verbs
Direct Speech Reported Speech
Will Would
May Might
Can Could
Shall Should
Has/Have Had
Examples of Reported Speech
[Link] said, “I have an interview tomorrow.”
Rachel said that she had an interview the next day.
2. Mahesh said, “What is he doing?”
Mahesh asked what he was doing.
3. Sherly said, “My daughter is playing the lead role in
the skit.”
Sherly said that her daughter was playing the lead
role in the skit.
4. Dinesh said, “It is a wonderful movie!”
Dinesh exclaimed that it was a wonderful movie.
5. Suresh said, “My son is getting married next month.”
Suresh said that his son was getting married the
following month.
6. Preetha said, “Can you please help me with the
invitations?”
Preetha asked if I could help her with the
invitations.
7. Anna said, “I look forward to meeting you.”
Anna said that she looked forward to meeting me.
8. The teacher said, “Make sure you complete the
homework before tomorrow.”
The teacher told us to make sure we completed the
homework before the next day.
9. Sylvester said, “I am not going to cry anymore.”
Sylvester said that he was not going to cry
anymore.
10. Jade said, “My sister is moving to Los Angeles.”
Jade said that his sister was moving to Los
Angeles.