2. Reported Speech
Definition
Reported speech is often also called indirect speech. When
we use reported speech, we are usually talking about the past
(because obviously the person who spoke originally spoke in
the past). The verbs therefore usually have to be in the past
too.
E.g:
"I'm going to the cinema". Direct Speech
He said (that) he was going to the cinema. Reported Speech
3. Changing basic tenses
Statements
When we want to report what other person has said, we have
to change the tenses, moving them backwards:
DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED SPEECH
Present simple: I'm a teacher. Past simple: He said he was a teacher
Past continuous:
Present continuous:
He said he was having lunch with his
I'm having lunch with my parents.
parents.
Present perfect simple: Past perfect simple:
I've been to France three times. He said he had been to France three times.
Present perfect continuous: Past perfect continuous:
I've been working very hard. He said he had been working very hard.
4. Changing basic tenses
Statements
DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED SPEECH
Past simple: Past perfect:
I bought a new car. He said he had bought a new car.
Past continuous: Past perfect continuous:
It was raining earlier. He said it had been raining earlier.
Past perfect: Past perfect:
The play had started when I arrived. NO CHANGE POSSIBLE
Past perfect continuous: Past perfect continuous:
I'd already been living in London for five years. NO CHANGE POSSIBLE
6. Exercises:
1. The train leaves at 05:32 => She said
that_____________ at 05:32.
2. We want to go to Disneyland => The children cried
they______________ to Disneyland.
3. John and William never write to us => Mr and Mrs Litten
complained that John and William________________.
4. It's too late to catch the train => He said that
it______________ the train.
7. Changing Modal Verbs
Sentences with modals
When we have sentences with modal verbs, we have to
change them into their past equivalent:
Direct speech Reported speech
CAN: COULD:
I can sleep He said he could sleep
MAY: MIGHT:
I may sleep He said he might sleep
WILL: WOULD:
I will sleep He said he would sleep
MUST: HAD TO:
I must sleep He said he had to sleep
8. Changing Questions
Interrogative Sentences
For changing a question into reported speech, you have to
follow the same rules as above, but with two extras. If
there is a question word (what, who, when, how, where),
then it becomes an indirect question, if not then use
if/whether as an interrogative.
