TYPES OF REPORTED SPEECHES

The Uses of Reported Speech

1. Newspapers/ news broadcast (written news item/ oral news item )
2. Storytelling
3. Recounts
Reported Speeches can be divided into 2 :
1.Direct Speeches (by repeating the words spoken exactly the same ) 2.Indirect
Speeches (by reporting the words spoken)
Based on the types of the sentences, they can be divided into :
1. Reported Statement
2. Reported Questions
a. WITH WH/H QUESTION WORDS
b. WITH AUXILIARIES
(is/am/are/was/were/do/does/has/have/can/could/may/
might/will/would/shall/should/must/had better/would rather /need )
3. Reported Command/Imperative
4. Reported Request
5. Reported Offer
6. Reported Suggestion
7. Reported With Special Expressions
8. Reported with no changes
9. Reported mixed types
10. Reported Invitation
11. Reported advice
12. Reported promise
13 Reported exclamation

1. Introductory verbs for reported statement (say, inform, tell, indicate, state, declare, announce, remark,
reply, answer, claim, notify,)
2. Introductory verbs for reported question (want to know, inquire/enquire, question, and ask, wonder
)
3. Introductory verbs for reported command (ask, get, have, make, tell, command, order,
instruct, direct ,and warn )
4. Introductory verbs for reported request (beg, request, ask and tell)
5. Introductory verbs for reported offer (offer )
6. Introductory verbs for reported suggestion (suggest, propose ,recommend )
7. Introductory verbs for reported Invitation (invite)
8. Introductory verbs for reported with special expressions (greet, congratulate, thank,
 welcome, sympathize, comfort, complain….. )

CHANGES IN ADVERBS FROM DIRECT TO INDIRECT SPEECHES

Direct speech Indirect speech

DIRECT INDIRECT
Presenttoday
simple thatPast simple
SPEECHES › day
SPEECHES
She said, "It's cold." She said it was cold.
the day
yesterda
tomorrow
y › next day /the following day
before
the
Present2 continuous Past continuous
days ago 2 days
Shebefore
said she was teaching English online.
She said, "I'm teaching English online."
the previous week
the› previous month
Past perfect simple
Presentlast weeksimple
perfect She said she had been on the web since 1999.
She said,
the previous year
last"I've
monthbeen on the web since 1999."
last year
Presentthis
perfect continuous thatPast perfect continuous
these
She said, "I've been teaching English for
› She said she had been teaching English for
those
seven here
years."
thereseven years.
now ›
then
the day after
Past simple Pastdays’
perfect simple days
in two time/two
She said she had taught online the day before.
She said, "I taught online yesterday."
tomorrow
tonight laternight
that
this evening that evening
Past continuous Past perfect
Past continuous
continuous

› She said she had been teaching earlier.

She said, "I was teaching earlier."

MODALS ALSO CHANGE IN INDIRECT SPEECHES

Direct speech Indirect

speech
will › would
She said, "I'll teach English online tomorrow." She said she would teach English online
tomorrow.
could
can › She said she could teach English online. She
"I can teach English online." said,

must had to
She said, "I must have a computer to teach › She said she had to have a computer to teach
English online." English online.
shall should
›
She said, "What shall we learn today?" She asked what we should learn today.

may might
›
She said, "May I open a new browser?" She asked if she might open a new browser.
Exception for “must” as deduction may no be changed to be “ had to “
Examples of “must” as deduction / inference/ drawing conclusion Look at
all of that snow. It must be really cold outside.
Mary must be home. I heard a noise coming from her room.
It’s five in the morning and you still haven’t gone You must be tired to bed?!
That must have been my mother calling me while I was in the meeting. Nobody else has my
private number.

Changing time and place references

Time and place must often change when going from direct to reported speech.
Phrase in direct speech Equivalent in reported speech

today that day

"I saw him today", she said. She said that she had seen him that day.

yesterday the day before

"I saw him yesterday", she said. She said that she had seen him the day before.

The day before yesterday two days before

"I met her the day before yesterday", he He said that he had met her two days before.
said.

tomorrow the next/the following day

"I'll see you tomorrow", he said He said that he would see me the next day.

The day after tomorrow in two days’ time/ two days later

"We'll come the day after tomorrow", they They said that they would come in two days
said. time/ two days later.

next week/month/year the following/the next week/month/year

"I have an appointment next week", she said. She said that she had an appointment the
following week.

last week/month/year the previous/week/month/year

"I was on holiday last week", he told us. He told us that he had been on holiday the previous
week.
 Phrase in direct speech Equivalent in reported speech

ago before

"I saw her a week ago," he said. He said he had seen her a week before.

this (for time) that

"I'm getting a new car this week", She said she was getting a new car that week.
she said.

this/that (adjectives) the

"Do you like this shirt?" he asked He asked if I liked the shirt.

here there

He said, "I live here". He told me he lived there.

Yes / No Questions
This type of question is reported by using 'ask' + 'if / whether' + clause:
Examples
Direct speech Indirect speech

"Do you speak English?" He asked me if/whether I spoke English.

"Are you British or American?" He asked me whether I was British or American.

"Is it raining?" She asked me if/whether it was raining.

"Have you got a computer?" He wanted to know whether /if I had gotten a computer.

"Can you type?" She asked me if/whether I could type.

"Did you come by train?" He enquired me whether/if I had come by train.

"Have you been to Bristol before?" She asked if/whether I had been to Bristol before.

Note : My brother asked me “ Do you want a cup of tea or a cup of coffee ?”

X My brother asked me if I wanted a cup of tea or a cup of coffee . (Incorrect )

✓ My brother asked me whether I wanted a cup of tea or a cup of coffee (Correct )
Question Words
This type of question is reported by using 'ask' (or another verb like 'ask') + question word + clause. The clause
contains the question, in normal word order and with the necessary tense change.
Examples
Direct speech Indirect speech

"What is your name?" he asked me. He asked me what my name was.

Direct speech Indirect speech

"How old is your mother?", he asked. He asked how old her mother was.

The policeman said to the boy, "Where do you live?" The policeman asked the boy where he lived.

"What time does the train arrive?" she asked. She asked what time the train arrived.

"When can we have dinner?" she asked. She asked when they could have dinner.

Peter said to John, "Why are you so late?" Peter asked John why he was so late.

Here Examples of Command Sentences

• Shut the front door.

• Find my leather jacket.
• Be there at five.
• Clean your room.
• Complete these by tomorrow.
• Wait for me.
• Get out!
• Make sure you pack warm clothes.
• Please be quiet.
• Be nice to your friends.
• Play ball!

direct order reported order

She said, "Eat your food now!" She told the boy to eat his food right then.

The policeman said: "Get out of your car!" The policeman instructed us to get out of our car.

She said, "You must make the bed before you go to She told her husband to make the bed before he went to
work!" work.

The doctor said: "Don't smoke in here!" The doctor told them not to smoke in there.

Requests for objects

Requests for objects are reported using the pattern "asked for" + object. Examples
Direct speech Indirect speech

"Can I eat an apple?", she asked. She requested to have an apple.

"Can I have the newspaper, please?" He asked for the newspaper.

"May I have a glass of water?" he said. He asked for a glass of water.

"Sugar, please." She asked for the sugar.

"Could I have three kilos of onions?" He asked for three kilos of onions.

Examples of making requests – asking someone to do something for you

These are the three most common ways for making requests:

“Could you open the door for me, please?”

“Would you mind opening the door for me, please?”
“Can you open the door for me, please?’
Speaking tip: could and can are followed by the verb without to. (See our page on modal auxiliary verbs for more
grammar information.)
Would you mind is followed by the verb and -ing.
Making requests – asking if you can do something

Here are the four most common ways for making requests (when you want to do something):

“Can I use your computer, please?”

“Could I borrow some money from you, please?” “Do
you mind if I turn up the heating?”
“Would you mind if I turned up the heating?”
Speaking tip: Could is more polite that can.
DIRECT: “Could you kindly close the door please?” he said.
>> REPORTED: He asked me to close the door.
DIRECT: “Could you watch the children on Saturday?” Naomi asked.
>> REPORTED: Naomi asked me to watch the children on Saturday.
DIRECT: “Can you hand me that pen?” she asked.
>> REPORTED: She asked me to hand her the pen.
DIRECT: “Could you put the bags on the table?” Alex said.
>> REPORTED: Alex asked me to put the bags on the table.

Suggestions

Examples

Direct speech Indirect speech

She said, "Why don't you get a mechanic to look at
the car?"
She suggested that I should get a mechanic to look at
the car. OR
She suggested I should get a mechanic to look at the
car. OR
She suggested that I get a mechanic to look at the car.
OR
She suggested I get a mechanic to look at the car.

"Why don't you go to the doctor?" he said. He suggested I go to the doctor. OR

He suggested that I go to the doctor. OR He
suggested I should go to the doctor. OR He
suggested that I should go to the doctor.

"It would be a good idea to see the dentist. My mother suggested I see the dentist.

The dentist said, "I think you should use a different The dentist recommended using a different toothbrush.
toothbrush".

You said, "I don't think you have time to see the dentist You suggested postponing my visit to the dentist.
this week."

I said, "I don't think you should see the dentist this I suggested postponing your visit to the dentist.
week."

My manager said, "I think we should examine the My manager proposed that we examine the
budget carefully at this meeting." budget carefully at the meeting.

"Why don't you sleep overnight at my house?" she She suggested that I sleep overnight at her house.
said.

Special expressions
Other types of exclamation such as Good! Marvellous! Splendid! Heavens! Oh! Ugh! etc. can be reported as in
(b) or (c) above:
“Good!” he exclaimed. He gave an exclamation of pleasure/satisfaction.
“Ugh!” she exclaimed, and turned the program off. With an exclamation of disgust she turned the
 program off.
a. Note also:
He said, “Thank you!” He thanked me.
He said, “Good luck!” He wished meluck.
He said, “Happy Christmas!” He wished me a happy Christmas.
He said, “Congratulations!” He congratulated me.
He said, “Liar!” He called me a liar.
He said, “Damn!” etc. He swore.
The notice said: WELCOME TO WALES! The notice welcomed visitors to Wales. Ahmad
said to his students, “ Good morning all. I’m glad to see all of you are present. “ Ahmad greeted
all his students and said that he was glad to see all of them were present.
• Direct: The boy said, ‘Hurrah! We have won the match.’
Indirect: The boy exclaimed with joy that they had won the match.
• Direct: The old man said, ‘Alas! I have lost my purse.’
Indirect: The old man exclaimed with sorrow that he had lost his purse.
• Direct: The students said to the teacher, ‘Good morning, Teacher!’
Indirect: The students respectfully greeted their teacher.
• Direct: ‘How glad I am !,’ said Alice, ‘to meet my friend here.’
Indirect: Alice exclaimed with delight that she was very glad to meet her friend there.
• Direct: The Emperor said, ‘Alas! Our foes are too strong!’
Indirect: The Emperor exclaimed with sorrow that their foes were too strong.
Direct: ‘Hurrah!’ cried the boy, ‘I have won a prize.’
Indirect: The boy exclaimed with delight he had won a prize.

There is no change in verb tenses in Reported speech when:

Direct speech Reported speech

1. the sentence expresses a
general truth or permanent
states and conditions
2. the introductory verb is
in the Present, future, or
Present Perfect tense
3. the verb of the sentence is in
the Unreal past (eg. 2nd
or 3rd type conditionals)
4. the following verbs are used: He said, ‘They should try a
had beter, could, would, used
to,should,
might and ought to, mustn’t
5. Past Simple changes to
Past Perfect or or remains
the same. When the reported
sentence contains a time
clause, the tenses of
the time clause remain
unchanged.
6.The sentence expresses
something which is believed
to be true. In this case the
My mother said, ‘It gets dark
earlier in the winter’
She says/ will say/ has said, ‘I
can cook well’
He said, ‘If I had time, I
would help you’
little harder.’
He said, ‘She came round to
my house while I was doing
my shopping.’
He said, ‘Ethiopia is a
third-world country.’ (true)
My mother said that it gets
dark earlier in the winter
She says/ will say/ has said that
she can cook well.
He said that he would help me
if he had time.
He said that they should try a
little harder.
He said that she had come/
came round to his house
while he was doing his
shopping.
He said that Ethiopia is/ was
a third-world country
verb tense can either change
or remain unchanged. He said, ‘Ethiopia is a He said that Ethiopia was a
However, if the sentence highly developed country’ highly developed country.
expresses sth which is not (false)
true, then the
verb changes.

Reported Speeches with Conditional Sentences

Catherine: If I lost my job, I would be in serious trouble. (referring to a possible future situation)
Catherine said that if she lost her job, she would be in serious trouble. (the reported words
are true; she might still lose her job)
Catherine said that if she had lost her job, she would have been in serious trouble. (the reported words are
out-of-date; it's not possible that she will lose her job)

Expressions of Suggestion (an idea or plan put forward / recommended for consideration.)

• Let’s go to movies.
• Why don’t you do your homework before going out?
• We could eat at home today.
• What about eating at the new place?
• How about going to Sam’s place first?
• I suggest that we call it a day.
• You need to change your sleeping habits.
• I think you should go and meet her.
• Would you like to … ?
• Would you mind going to the city centre ?
• What do you think about going to the swimming pool ?

Expressions of Advice (an opinion that someone offers you about what you should do or how you
should act in a particular situation)

• I think you should ……

• Why don’t you …… ?
• Have you thought about ….. ?
• I don’t know if ………is a good idea.
• Maybe, you should try ….. ( something/ verb gerund)
• I wouldn’t V1 if I were …… .
• If I were you, I wouldn’t V1
• If I were you , I would V1
 • Have you thought about ….? (something/ verb gerund)
• Have you tried …….? (something/ verb gerund)
• My advice is to V1.
• You ought to V1 .

Expressions of Offering Something

• Can I get you something to drink ?

• Would you like something to drink?
• Do like ….. ?
• Do like …. or ….. ?
• Do you want …..
• Do you take ….. or …. ?
• May I give you …… ?
• Would you like some candies?
• Would you like to have dinner with me?

Expressions of offering help

• Can/may I help you ?

• What can I do for you ?
• Do you want me to ….?
• Would you like me to …. ?
• Let me …
• I’ll …. if you ‘d like ?
• I’ll be happy to ….. if you ‘d like .
• I’d be glad to ……. if you ‘d like
• ........................... Shall I ?
• .................................................... Would you like me to… ?
• ...........................................Would you like ?

EXERCISES

STATEMENTS
1. These people are saying these things. Report them, using says that.
a. Paul: “Atlanta is a wonderful city.”
b. Ruth: “I go jogging every morning.”
c. Anna: “Jenny isn’t studying for her exams.”
d. Andrew: “I used to be very fat.”
e. Jim: “I can’t swim.”
 2. People made these statements. Report them, using said.
a. “Mary works in a bank”, Jane said.
b. “I’m staying with some friends”, Jim said.
c. “I’ve never been to Russia”, Mike said.
d. “Tom can’t use a computer”, Ella said.
e. “Everybody must try to do their best”, Jill said.
f. “Jane may move to a new flat”, Rachel said.
g. “I’ll stay at home on Sunday”, Bill said.

3. Report what the guests said at a wedding last Sunday.

a. Miss Moore: “They’ll make a lovely couple.”
b. Mr Smith: “They’re going to live in Brighton.”
c. Mrs Jones: “The bride and the groom are very nice young people.”

d. Mr Roberts: “The bride is wearing a beautiful wedding dress.”

e. Mr Clarke: “The couple’s parents look happy.”

f. Miss Mayall: “The bride’s father has bought them a big flat.”

4. Change the following statements into the reported speech.

a. “I have something to show you”, I said to her. I said to her, “I have something to show you”

6
b. “I’m going away tomorrow”, he said. or He said, “I’m going away tomorrow”,

c. “I’ve been in London for a month but I haven’t had time to visit the Tower”, said Rupert.

d. “I’ll come with you as soon as I’m ready”, she replied.

e. “We have a lift but very often it doesn’t work”, they said.

f. “I must go to the dentist tomorrow”, he said.

g. “I found an old Roman coin in the garden yesterday and I am going to take it to the museum this afternoon”,
he said.

He said that he had found an old Roman coin in the garden the day before and he was

5. Write these sentences in indirect speech.

a. “I’m very tired”, she said.
b. “I’ll see them soon”, he said.
c. “I’m going to the cinema”, she said.
d. “I see the children quite often”, he said.
e. “I’m having a bath”, she said.
f. “I’ve already met their parents”, she said.
g. “I stayed in a hotel for a few weeks”, she said.
h. “I must go home to make dinner”, he said.
i. “I haven’t been waiting long”, she said.
j. “I’m listening to the radio”, he said.
k. “I’ll tell them the news on Saturday”, she said.
l. “I like swimming, dancing and playing tennis”, he said.
 ENGLISH Reported
GRAMMAR Speech

m. “I can drive”, she said.

n. “I walked home after the party”, he said.
o. “I’m going to be sick”, she said.
p. “I must go out to post a letter”, he said.
q. “I spoke to Jane last week”, she said.
r. “I’m trying to listen to the music”, he said.
s. “I’ll phone the office from the airport”, she said.
t. “I can’t speak any foreign languages”, he said.

6. Write these sentences in indirect speech, changing words where necessary.

a. “I’ll see you tomorrow”, she said.

b. “I saw her today”, he said.

c. “I don’t like this film”, she said.

d. She said, “We went swimming today.”

e. “I met her about three months ago”, he said.

f. “I’ll see Mary on Sunday”, she said.

7
g. “Pete and Sue are getting married tomorrow”, she said.

h. “Stephen’s bringing some records to the party tomorrow”, she said.

i. “I really like this furniture”, she said.

j. “My parents are arriving tomorrow”, she said.

k. “We visited her this morning” they said.

l. “We’ll see her next summer” they said.

m. “They were here three months ago”, he said.

n. “I’m meeting them at four o’clock today”, he said.

o. “I can see you tomorrow”, she said.

QUESTIONS
7. Report the police-officer’s questions to the shop owner.
a. What’s your name?
b. Did you see the robbers?
c. What were they wearing?
d. How do you think they got in?
e. What did they take?
 f. Has this ever happened before?

8. Write these sentences as reported questions using the words given.

a. “What’s your name?”, he asked. (wanted to know)

b. “Do you like Marlon Brandon?”, she asked me if/ whether I liked Marlon Brandon.

c. “How old are you?”, she asked me how old I was .

d. “When does the train leave?”, I asked Kevin when the train left .

e. “Are you enjoying yourself?”, he asked his girl friend if/whether she was enjoying herself .

f. “How are you?”, he asked his grandma how she was .

g. “Does your father work here?”, she asked. Josia if/whether his father worked there .

8 h. “Do you live near your father?”, he asked Juan if /whether he lived with his father .

i. “Who did you see at the meeting?”, my mother asked.

j. “Why did you take my wallet?”, he asked me why I had taken his wallet .

k. “How did you get to school?”, she asked me how I had gotten to school .

l. “Are you a foreigner?”, she asked me if /whether I was a foreigner .

m. “Where do you live?”, the boy asked his teacher where he/she lived .

n. “Have you met Danny before?”, he asked me if/whether I had met Danny before .

o. “Are you hungry?”, he asked.

p. “Why wasn’t Judy at the party?”, she asked.

q. “Why didn’t you telephone?”, my father asked.

r. “Did you borrow my dictionary?”, he asked.

s. “Why are you so late?”, the teacher asked.

t. “Have you finished your exams?”, she asked.

u. “Did you invite Judy and Mitch?”, he asked.

v. “Does your brother live in London?”, she asked.

w. “Why didn’t the police report the crime?”, the judge asked.

x. “Do you know who broke the window?”, he asked.

 ENGLISH Reported
GRAMMAR Speech

y. “Why you won’t let me in?”, he shouted.

COMMANDS, REQUESTS AND ADVICE

9. Rewrite these sentences in reported speech.
a. “Make some coffee, Bob”, Carol
said.(ask)

b. “You must do the homework soon, Jane”, she said.(tell)

c. “Remember to buy a map, Ann” he said.(remind)

d. “You should see a doctor, Mrs Clark”, he said.(advise)

e. “Keep all the windows closed, Bill” they said.(warn)

f. “Go home, Paul”, Francis said.(tell)

g. “Please stay for supper, Bob”, he said.(try to persuade)

10. Report the following sentences.

a. “Don’t try to be funny.”

b. “Wait here till I come.”

9
c. “Go to bed and don’t get up till you’re called.”

d. “Be a good girl and sit quietly for five minutes.”

e. “Watch the milk and don’t let it boil over.”

 f. “Don’t take your coat off.”

g. “Don’t forget to thank Mrs Jones when you’re saying good bye to her.”

h. “Stop that dog.”

11. Write the sentences in reported speech using the words given.
a. “Sit down, Mary.” (he told)

b. “Would you pass my suitcase?” (he asked)

c. “Don’t go near the sea, children.” (the children’s mother warned)

d. “Don’t be late, Tim.” (Tim’s father told)

e. “Be quiet, children.” (the librarian told)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
f. “Have your tickets ready, please.” (the inspector told us)

SAY AND TELL

12. Use the correct form of SAY and TELL in these sentences.
a. She me she didn’t agree.
b. He , “Have we met before?”
c. I them I wasn’t happy with their work.
d. She smiled and to me, “I’m very pleased to meet you.”
e. She me a story about her parents.
f. He , “Are you feeling OK?”
g. I didn’t hear. What did he ?
h. Could you me the time, please?
i. They me they were going to a meeting.
j. I the police my address.
k. I I wanted to buy a magazine.
l. He he wasn’t interested in politics.
m. Could you me your name again?
n. Do you think he is the truth?
o. Would you him to come early tomorrow?
p. If he that again there’ll be trouble.
 q. I them it was dangerous to swim here.
10 r. Did you anything to him about your problem at work?
s. me what happened.
t.I think he is lies.
u.The policeman the man was lying.
v.Philip it would probably rain tomorrow.
w.Susan , “Let’s go out for dinner tonight.”
x.Jim me about the party last night.
y.Our teacher he was pleased with our work.
z.Stop lies!
13. Rewrite the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive and the in reported speech.
a. “I’ll bring my CDs to the party.”
He promised to bring his CDs to the party.
b. “Let’s go to the cinema tonight, shall we?
She suggested her friend going to the cinema that night/ She suggested her friend (that)
they (should )go to the cinema that night .
c. “Yes, I stole the wallet.”
He admitted that he had stolen the wallet.
d. “Be careful! The water is boiling.”
She warned us to be careful as /because the water was boiling .
e. “You must apologize to your teacher.”
My father insisted me on apologizing to my teacher /My father insisted that I (should )
apologize to my teacher .
f. “All right! I’ll share the expenses with you.”
My friend agreed --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------