Reported Speech: Important Grammar Rules and Examples

Reported speech is a very common aspect of the English language. You use it nearly every day, both in conversations and in writing. This reference covers key sections about reported speech, including what it is, examples, rules, and verb tense changes. You’ll also learn about modal verbs, changes in time and place, and different reporting verbs.

Reported Speech

What Is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is simply when you tell somebody what someone else said. You can do this in your writing, or in speech. Reported speech is very different from direct speech, which is when you show what somebody said in the exact way that they said it. In reported speech though, you do not need to quote somebody directly.

Instead, you use a reporting verb, such as ‘say’ or ‘ask’. These reporting verbs are used to report the speech to someone else. There are many different reporting verbs that can be used.

In short, reported speech is the linguistic technique that you use to tell somebody what someone else’s direct speech was. In reported speech though, you may need to make certain changes to the grammar to make the sentence make sense. Some examples below highlight what needs to be changed.

Reported Speech Examples

When using reported speech, you are usually talking about the past. The verbs, therefore, usually have to be in the past too.

For example:

• Direct speech: I’ve lost my umbrella.
• Reported speech: He said (that) he had lost his umbrella.

Another example:

• Direct speech: She is doing her homework.
• Reported speech: He said (that) she was doing her homework.

Table of Changes:

Reported Speech Rules

Verb Tense Changes in Reported Speech

When the reporting verb is in the present tense, only small changes are needed.

Example:

• Direct speech: I like dogs.
• Reported speech: She says she likes dogs.

When the reporting verb is in the past tense, you need to change the tense of both the reporting verb and the main verb.

Example:

• Direct speech: I like dogs.
• Reported speech: She said she liked dogs.

The tenses generally move backward as follows:

For sentences about the future, you also need to change the future verbs.

Example:

• Direct speech: I shall leave in a moment.
• Reported speech: She said that she would leave in a moment.

Here are the changes for future tenses:

Modal Verbs and Reported Speech

Modal verbs also change when used in reported speech.

Example:

• Direct speech: Will I see you later?
• Reported speech: He asked if he would see me later.

Some modal verbs do not need to change tense because they fit naturally.

Example:

• Direct speech: I should go to the park.
• Reported speech: He told me he should go to the park.

Here are both correct and incorrect examples of reported speech for clarity:

Correct:

• Reported speech: He told me he should go to the park.
• Reported speech: He said he should go to the park.

Incorrect:

• Incorrect reported speech: He told he should go to the park.
• Incorrect reported speech: He said me he should go to the park.

To correct these:

• Add ‘me’: He told me he should go to the park.
• Remove ‘me’ or add ‘to’: He said he should go to the park or He said to me he should go to the park.

Direct and Indirect Speech

Changes in Time and Place in Reported Speech

References to time and place often need to change when you use indirect speech. Here is a useful guide to these changes:

No Change in Verb Tenses in Reported Speech

In some cases, verb tenses do not change when you report speech indirectly. Here are the key instances:

• When the introductory verb is in the present, present perfect, or future.
• When the reported sentence deals with a fact or general truth.
• When the reported sentence contains a time clause.
• If the verb of the sentence is in the unreal past (the second or the third conditional).
• The subjunctive stays unchanged in the subordinate clause.
• Had better, could, would, used to, should, might, ought to, and mustn’t remain unchanged.
• If the speaker reports something immediately or soon after it was said.

Reporting Verbs in Indirect Speech

Reporting verbs are crucial in indirect speech. Here is a list categorized by their usage:

• Basic Verbs: Tell, say, ask
• Verb + that + clause: Complain, deny, explain, exclaim, remark, promise, boast, inform somebody, claim, agree, suggest
• Verb + to + infinitive: Agree, offer, refuse, demand, threaten, promise, claim
• Verb + indirect object + to + infinitive: Advise, allow, beg, command, encourage, forbid, invite, want, instruct, permit, urge, order, remind, warn
• Verb + “ing” form: Admit (to), accuse somebody of, apologize for, boast about/of, complain to somebody of, deny, insist on, suggest
• Verb + how: Explain to somebody
• Wonder

Reported Questions

When converting questions from direct to indirect speech, you follow rules similar to those for statements. Verbs used include inquire, wonder, want to know, ask.

Reported Commands and Requests

Commands and requests in Indirect Speech are formed using the to-infinitive and not to-infinitive. Common reporting verbs include order, shout, demand, warn, beg, command, tell, insist, beseech, threaten, implore, ask, propose, forbid.

Pronoun and tense changes are needed when shifting from direct to indirect speech.

Reported Speech Video

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