REPORTED

SPEECH
 • If we report what another
person has said, we usually do
not use the speaker’s exact
words (direct speech), but
reported (indirect) speech.
Eric: I’m going to the cinema
Reported tonight.
Eric said, “I’m going to the
Speech cinema tonight” (DIRECT
SPEECH)

• REPORTED SPEECH:
He said he was going to the
cinema that night.
 Structure
I’m going to the cinema tonight.

He said (that) he was going to the cinema that night.

• We use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell‘ + (that).

• When transforming statements, check if you have to change:

pronouns
place and time expressions
tenses (backshift)
 Practice
Direct Reported
I need to buy a new computer. – She said that she needed a new computer.
Karina
(simple present)
Katia is making a cake for you. – Eric Eric said that Katia was making a cake for me.
(present cont)
I bought a new ball for my dog. - She said that she had bought a new ball for her dog.
Minerva
(simple past)
A lot of people have seen this movie The article said a lot of people had seen this movie.
– article
(present perfect)
I will do all my homehork. – Tom Tom said that he would do all his homework.
Direct Reported

Mark and Thomas said the loved pizza.

Karen said she would move to Spain.

My mother said she was going to cook chicken for

dinner.
Chistopher said he loved chocolate.

Tania said that her brother had had and accident

last weekend.
The article said that pollution had caused a lot of
problems.
The children said that their parents could pay for
all the toys.
My father told me that I had to wash the car If I
wanted to use it.
 • SAY:
The basic verb pattern for using
'say' for reported speech is:
Reporting
say + (that) + clause
Verbs She said (that) she had
already eaten.
(Direct speech "I've already eaten".)
 • TELL:
With “tell” we need to use an object, a
person who we tell the information to.

tell + someone + (that) + clause

I told John (that) I had seen the
Reporting new film.
(Direct speech: “I have seen the new
Verbs film.")

When we are reporting orders, we can

also use another pattern with 'tell':

tell + someone + infinitive

She told the children to go to bed.
Direct speech: “Go to bed”
REPORTING ORDERS (imperatives)

Teacher: “Be quiet.”

Mom: “Wash your dishes”