Reported Speech
Reported Speech tells us what someone said without using quotation marks.
Direct Speech:
He said, “I am tired.”
Reported Speech:
He said that he was tired.
COMMON RULES (APPLICABLE TO ALL TYPES)
1. Change of Pronouns
Pronouns change according to the speaker and listener.
First person Changes according to the subject
Second Person Changes according to the object
Third Person No change
2. Change of Tense (If Reporting Verb is in Past)
Direct Speech Reported Speech
Present Simple Past Simple
Present Continuous Past Continuous
Present Perfect Past Perfect
Past Simple Past Perfect
Will Would
Can Could
May Might
No tense change when:
● Reporting verb is in present/future
● Sentence expresses universal truth
3. Change of Time and Place Words
now then
today That day
Yesterday The previous day
Tomorrow The next day
here there
this that
these those
1. ASSERTIVE SENTENCES (STATEMENTS)
Definition
Sentences that state facts, opinions, or information.
Step-wise Rules
1. Remove inverted commas.
2. Change said to → said that / told that.
3. Use ‘that’ as a conjunction.
4. Change pronouns.
5. Change tense (if reporting verb is past).
6. Change time/place words.
Structure
Subject + said/told + that + statement
Examples
Direct: She said, “I like music.”
Reported: She said that she liked music.
Direct: He said, “We are ready.”
Reported: He said that they were ready.
2. INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES (QUESTIONS)
Definition
Sentences that ask questions.
Step-wise Rules
1. Remove inverted commas and question mark (?).
2. Change said → asked / inquired.
3. Identify the question type:
● Yes/No questions → use if / whether
● Wh-questions → keep the wh-word
4. Change pronouns.
5. Change tense.
6. Change to statement form (no auxiliary before subject).
Structure
Subject + asked + if/whether/wh-word + statement
Examples
Yes/No Question
● Direct: He said, “Are you tired?”
● Reported: He asked if I was tired.
Wh-Question
● Direct: She said, “Where do you live?”
● Reported: She asked where I lived.
3. IMPERATIVE SENTENCES (COMMANDS / REQUESTS / ADVICE)
Definition
Sentences that order, request, advise, warn, or forbid.
Step-wise Rules
1. Remove inverted commas.
2. Change said → ordered / requested / advised / warned / begged.
3. Use to / not to before the verb.
4. Change pronouns.
5. Verb remains in base form (no tense change).
Structure
Subject + reporting verb + object + to / not to + verb
Examples
Command
● Direct: The teacher said, “Stand up.”
● Reported: The teacher ordered the students to stand up.
Request
● Direct: He said, “Please help me.”
● Reported: He requested me to help him.
Negative Command
● Direct: She said, “Do not shout.”
● Reported: She warned us not to shout.
Reporting Verbs for Imperative Sentences
1. For Commands / Orders
● ordered
● commanded
● directed
● instructed
Example:
The officer ordered the men to stop.
2. For Requests
● requested
● begged
● entreated
● pleaded
● asked
Example:
She requested me to help her.
3. For Advice / Suggestions
● advised
● suggested
● recommended
● encouraged
Example:
The doctor advised him to rest.
4. For Warnings
● warned
● cautioned
● forbade (→ not to)
Example:
The teacher warned the students not to talk.
5. For Permission
● allowed
● permitted
Example:
He allowed me to enter the room.
6. For Invitations
● invited
● urged
Example:
She invited us to attend the function.
4. EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES (EMOTIONS / FEELINGS)
Definition
Sentences that express joy, sorrow, surprise, anger, admiration, etc.
Step-wise Rules
1. Remove inverted commas and exclamation mark (!).
2. Change said → exclaimed / exclaimed with joy, sorrow, surprise.
3. Use that.
4. Change pronouns.
5. Change tense if required.
Structure
Subject + exclaimed (+ feeling) + that + statement
Examples
Direct: He said, “What a wonderful movie!”
Reported: He exclaimed that it was a wonderful movie.
Direct: She said, “Alas! I lost my purse.”
Reported: She exclaimed with sorrow that she had lost her purse.
5. OPTATIVE SENTENCES (WISHES / PRAYERS / BLESSINGS)
Definition
Sentences that express wishes, prayers, blessings, or curses.
Step-wise Rules
1. Remove inverted commas.
2. Change said → wished / prayed.
3. Use that.
4. Change pronouns.
5. Use might / would when needed.
Structure
Subject + wished/prayed + that + clause
Examples
Direct: He said, “May you succeed!”
Reported: He wished that I might succeed.
Direct: She said, “May God bless you.”
Reported: She prayed that God might bless me.