Notes

REPORTED SPEECH

Definition:
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to report or convey what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. It is commonly used in written and spoken communication to report conversations, statements, or information from one person to another.

1. Direct Speech vs. Reported Speech
• Direct Speech: In direct speech, the exact words of the speaker are enclosed in quotation marks.
Example: He said, "I am going to the store."

• Reported Speech: In reported speech, we convey what the speaker said without quoting their exact words.
Example: He said that he was going to the store.

2. Changes in Pronouns
I → He/She
You → He/She
We → They
My → His/Her
Our → Their
Me → Him/Her
Us → Them

3. Changes in Adverbs of Time and Place
Now → Then
Today → That day
Tomorrow → The next day
Yesterday → The day before
Nowadays → In those days
Tonight → That night
Soon → Shortly after
Currently → At that time
Here → There

Examples
Direct: "I am going to the park," she said.
Reported: She said that she was going to the park.

Direct: "You should read this book," he advised.
Reported: He advised me to read that book.

Direct: "We have finished our homework," they announced.
Reported: They announced that they had finished their homework.

Direct: "Can you help me with this?" she asked.
Reported: She asked if I could help her with that.

4. Changes in Verb Tenses
Present Simple → Past Simple
Present Continuous → Past Continuous
Present Perfect → Past Perfect
Past Simple → Past Perfect

Examples
She said, "I love this book."
→ She said that she loved that book.

They asked, "Are you coming to the party?"
→ They asked if I was coming to the party.

He said, "I have finished my homework."
→ He said that he had finished his homework.

5. Reporting Verbs
Say, Tell, Ask, Explain, Suggest, Claim, Admit, Promise

Reporting Questions
Use if/whether for Yes/No questions.
Use WH-words for information questions.

Example:
She asked, "Are you going to the movies?"
→ She asked if I was going to the movies.

They said to me, "Where are you going?"
→ They asked me where I was going.

Reporting Commands
He said, "Close the door."
→ He told me to close the door.

The boy said to the teacher, "Please explain this again."
→ The boy requested the teacher to explain that again.

Reporting Exclamatory Sentences
She exclaimed, "What a beautiful sunset!"
→ She exclaimed with wonder that it was such a beautiful sunset.

"I can't believe we won!" he shouted.
→ He shouted with excitement that they couldn't believe they had won.

"What an amazing concert!" they gasped.
→ They gasped in amazement that it was such an amazing concert.

Quick Revision

• Change pronouns.
• Change time/place words.
• Change tense where required.
• Use if/whether for Yes/No questions.
• Use WH-word for information questions.
• Use told/asked + to for commands.

Exam Tip

Practice converting Direct Speech into Reported Speech by identifying the reporting verb, changing pronouns, tense, and time expressions.