Reported
Speech
Understanding How to Report
What Others Say
What is Reported Speech?
Definition
Reported speech, also known as indirect
speech, is when we tell someone what
another person said without using their
exact words.
Example
● Direct Speech: She said, "I am happy."
● Reported Speech: She said that she
was happy.
We often use reported speech in everyday
conversations to share information or
stories.
Key Changes in Reported Speech
Pronouns Time Words
● Change based on the speaker. ● Adjust to fit the new context.
● Example: "I" becomes "she" or ● Example: "today" becomes "that
"he." day."
Tenses Punctuation
● Usually shift back one tense. ● No quotation marks in reported
● Example: "am" becomes "was." speech.
How to Change Tenses
Common Tense Changes
1. Present Simple → Past Simple
2. Present Continuous → Past Continuous
3. Past Simple → Past Perfect
Fill in the blanks 🧩
He said, "i am happy" she said that ____ was ____. the pronoun
changed from "i" to ____ and the tense changed from present
to ____.
Word bank 🏦
she, happy, sad, he, past, he, present
Answers on the next slide...
Fill in the blanks 🧩 ✅
He said, "i am happy" she said that he was happy. the
pronoun changed from "i" to he and the tense changed from
present to past.
Word bank 🏦
she, happy, sad, he, past, he, present
Reporting Questions
Yes/No Questions WH-Questions
● Use "if" or "whether." ● Keep the question word.
● Example: "Are you coming?" → ● Example: "Where are you?" → He
She asked if I was coming. asked where I was.
Reporting Commands
Positive Negative Polite Requests
Commands Commands ● Use "ask" or
● Use "to." ● Use "not to." "request."
● Example: "Close ● Example: "Don’t ● Example: "Please
the door." → He told shout." → She told help me." → He
me to close the me not to shout. asked me to help
door. him.
Common Time and Place Changes
Adjusting Time and Place
Words
1. Today → That day
2. Tomorrow → The next day
3. Here → There
Reported Speech Challenge
Question 1:
She said, "I am going to the park tomorrow." Choose the best reported
speech option:
Question 2:
He asked, "Are you happy?" What is the correct reported speech version
of this question?
Question 3:
The teacher said, "Don't run in the hallway!" How do you report this
command?
Answers on the next slide...
Reported Speech Challenge ✅
Answer 1:
She said that she was going to the park the next day. 'Tomorrow'
changes to 'the next day' in reported speech.
Answer 2:
He asked if I was happy. Yes/No questions use 'if' or 'whether' in
reported speech.
Answer 3:
The teacher told us not to run in the hallway. Negative commands use
'not to' in reported speech.
Summary of Reported Speech
Key Points to Remember
● Change pronouns, tenses, and
time/place words as needed.
● Use "if" or "whether" for yes/no
questions.
● Use the question word for WH-
questions.
● Use "to" or "not to" for commands.
Reported speech helps us share
information effectively in conversations!