🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Reported Speech?

Reported speech, also called indirect speech, conveys what someone said without quoting them word-for-word. It's essential for recounting conversations, telling stories and formal communication.

Short answer

Reported speech presents someone's words indirectly using a reporting clause (like 'he said that') and adjusting tense, pronouns and time expressions. Direct: 'I am happy.' Reported: He said he was happy.

Reported Speech Conversion Steps

1
Step 1: Identify
Find the original direct speech and reporting verb (say, tell, ask)
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2
Step 2: Shift Tense
Move back one tense: present → past, past → past perfect
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3
Step 3: Adjust Pronouns
Change I→he/she, we→they based on context
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4
Step 4: Remove Quotation Marks
Use 'that' clause or infinitive structure

Step-by-step worked examples

Convert to reported speech: 'I love this book,' said Sarah.

Identify: direct speech with 'said'
Shift: present 'love' → past 'loved'
Adjust: I → she
Result: Sarah said she loved that book.

Convert: 'Are you coming tomorrow?' she asked.

Identify: question with 'asked'
Shift: present 'are' → past 'were'
Adjust: you → I (from listener's view) or he/she
Result: She asked if I was coming the next day.

Convert: 'I will finish this project,' he promised.

Identify: future 'will' with 'promised'
Shift: will finish → would finish (future→conditional)
Adjust: I → he
Result: He promised he would finish that project.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.'I have finished my homework,' Tom said. Report it.

Correct answer: C. Past perfect 'had finished' is correct because the original is present perfect, shifted one step back.

Q2.Which is NOT a reporting verb?

Correct answer: D. 'Discuss' is a regular verb; say, tell and think introduce reported speech.

Q3.'I will call you tomorrow,' she said. Report it.

Correct answer: B. Future 'will' → conditional 'would', and 'tomorrow' → 'the next day'.

Q4.Why do pronouns change in reported speech?

Correct answer: B. Pronouns change because the report is from a third-party's viewpoint, not the original speaker's.

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Common mistakes

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Never changing the tense in reported speech. — Correct: Shift tense back (usually one step) unless the fact is still true.

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Keeping the original pronouns unchanged. — Correct: Adjust pronouns to reflect who is reporting and to whom.

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Keeping 'tomorrow' and 'today' in reported speech. — Correct: Shift time expressions: today → that day, tomorrow → the next day.

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Using a direct quote after the reporting verb. — Correct: Remove quotation marks and adjust structure; use 'that' clause or infinitive.

FAQ

What is the difference between reported speech and direct speech?

Direct speech is a word-for-word quote with quotation marks ('I am happy'). Reported speech conveys the meaning without quoting (He said he was happy).

Do you always shift tense in reported speech?

Usually yes, but not if the original statement is a universal truth or you're reporting immediately. 'He said the Earth is round' keeps present tense.

What are reporting verbs?

Verbs that introduce reported speech: say, tell, ask, mention, explain, promise, admit, suggest, etc.

How do questions become reported?

Yes/no questions use 'if' or 'whether'; wh-questions keep the wh-word. 'Do you like it?' → 'He asked if I liked it.'