Reported Statements
We use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell'.
Direct speech: I like ice cream.
Reported speech: She says (that) she likes ice cream.
we don't need to change the present tense into the past if the information is still
true (but this is only for things which are general facts.
Direct speech: The sky is blue.
Reported speech: She said (that) the sky is/was blue
if the reporting verb is in the past tense = we change the tenses
Tense Direct Speech Reported Speech
present I like ice cream She said (that) she liked ice cream.
simple
present I am living in She said (that) she was living in London.
continuous London
past simple I bought a car She said (that) she had bought a car OR
She said (that) she bought a car.
past I was walking She said (that) she had been walking
continuous along the street along the street.
present I haven't seen She said (that) she hadn't seen Julie.
perfect Julie
past perfect* I had taken She said (that) she had taken English
English lessons lessons before.
before
will I'll see you later She said (that) she would see me later.
would* I would help, She said (that) she would help but...
but...
can I can speak She said (that) she could speak perfect
perfect English English.
could* I could swim She said (that) she could swim when she
when I was four was four.
shall I shall come later She said (that) she would come later.
should* I should call my She said (that) she should call her
mother mother
might* I might be late She said (that) she might be late
must I must study at She said (that) she must study at the
the weekend weekend OR She said she had to study at
the weekend
* doesn't change\
Reported Questions
Direct speech: Where do you live?
Reported speech: She asked me where I lived.
0r
Direct speech: Where is Julie?
Reported speech: She asked me where Julie was.
Here are some more examples:
Direct Question Reported Question
Where is the Post Office,
She asked me where the Post Office was.
please?
What are you doing? She asked me what I was doing.
She asked me who that fantastic man had
Who was that fantastic man?
been.
But, what if you need to report a 'yes / no' question?
we use 'if':
Direct speech: Do you like chocolate?
Reported speech: She asked me if I liked chocolate.
Direct Question Reported Question
Do you love me? He asked me if I loved him.
Have you ever been to She asked me if I had ever been to
Mexico? Mexico.
Are you living here? She asked me if I was living here.
Reported Requests
Direct speech: Close the window, please
Or: Could you close the window please?
Or: Would you mind closing the window please?
- Reported speech: She asked me to close the window.
- Here are a few more examples:
Direct Request Reported Request
Please help me. She asked me to help her.
Please don't smoke. She asked me not to smoke.
She asked me to bring her book that
Could you bring my book tonight?
night.
Could you pass the milk, please? She asked me to pass the milk.
Would you mind coming early She asked me to come early the next
tomorrow? day.
To report a negative request, use 'not':
Direct speech: Please don't be late.
Reported speech: She asked us not to be late.
Reported Orders
Direct
Reported Order
Order
He told the child to go to
Go to bed!
bed.
Don't
He told her not to worry.
worry!
Be on time! He told me to be on time.
Don't
He told us not to smoke.
smoke!