Statements in Reported Speech
Pronouns
In reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun depending on who says what.
Example
She says, “My mum doesn’t have time today.” – She says that her mum doesn’t have time today.
Tenses
No backshift
Do not change the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple Present (e. g. He says). Note, however, that you might have to change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular).
Example
He says, “I Speak English.” – He says that he speaks English.
Backshift
You must change the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple Past (e. g. He said). This is called backshift.
Example: He said, “I am happy.” – He said that he was happy.
|
Direct Speech |
Reported Speech |
|
Simple Present |
Simple Past |
|
Present Progressive |
Past Progressive |
|
Simple Past |
Past Perfect Simple |
|
Present Perfect Simple |
|
|
Past Perfect Simple |
|
|
Past Progressive |
Past Perfect Progressive |
|
Present Perfect Progressive |
|
|
Past Perfect Progressive |
|
|
Future I (going to) |
was / were going to |
|
Future I (will) |
Conditional I (would) |
|
Conditional I (would) |
The verbs could, should, would, might, must, needn’t, ought to, used to do not normally change.
Example: He said, “She might be right.” – He said that she might be right.
Place and Time expressions
For place and time expressions you have to check whether place and time are the same in direct and reported speech or not.
Therefore you always have to think which place and time expressions are logical in a certain situation.
In the following table, you will find ways of transforming place and time expressions into reported speech.
|
Direct Speech |
Reported Speech |
|
today |
that day |
|
now |
then |
|
yesterday |
the day before |
|
… days ago |
… days before |
|
last week |
the week before |
|
next year |
the following year |
|
tomorrow |
the next day / the following day |
|
here |
there |
|
this |
that |
|
these |
those |
Questions in Indirect Speech
When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
1. pronouns
2. present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
3. place and time expressions
4. tenses (backshift)
Also note that you have to:
1. transform the question into an indirect question
2. use the interrogative or if / whether
|
Type |
Example |
|
|
with interrogative |
direct speech |
“Why don’t you Speak English?” |
|
reported speech |
He asked me why I didn’t speak English. |
|
|
without interrogative |
direct speech |
“Do you Speak English?” |
|
reported speech |
He asked me whether / if I spoke English. |
|
Questions in Reported Speech
For pronouns, tenses and place / time expressions see statements in reported speech.
Besides, note that instead of “That” you use the interrogative. If there is no interrogative, use “whether” / “If”
|
|
Direct Speech |
Reported Speech |
|
statement |
He said: “She lives in London.” |
He said that she lived in London |
|
question with interrogative |
He asked:” Where does she live?” |
He asked where she lived. |
|
question without interrogative |
He asked: “Does she live in London?” |
He asked whether she lived in London. |
It is also important that you use an indirect question in reported speech, i.e. after the interrogative or “whether” / “if” you continue the sentence as if it were a statement (subject-verb etc.). The auxiliary verb “do” is not used in indirect questions.
Example:
He asked: “Where does she live?” – He asked where she lived.
Requests in Indirect Speech
When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
1. pronouns
2. place and time expressions
|
Type |
Example |
|
direct speech |
“0Carol, Speak English.” |
|
reported speech |
He told Carol to speak English. |
For pronouns and place / time expressions see statements in reported speech. Tenses are not relevant for requests - simply use “to” + infinite verb.
Example:
She said,” say” hello to your mum” – She asked me to say hello to my mum.
For negative requests, use “not to” + infinite verb.
Example:
He said, “Don’t give up, Bob.” – He advised Bob not to give up.
