We use the REPORTED SPEECH to say what someone said but not the exact words.

To report what someone said, we use a reporting verb: SAY,TELL, ASK, ORDER, WANT TO KNOW, DENY,
WONDER, ADVISE, INVITE, EXPLAIN, PROMISE, etc…
To report what someone said, we have to make some changes in the direct speech sentences:
• Pronouns and possessive adjectives change according to the meaning
• Demonstrative pronouns change
• Verb tenses change
• Time expressions change

Verb tenses Time expressions

Direct Speech Indirect/Reported Direct Speech Indirect/Reported
Present simple Past simple Today That day
Present continuous Past continuous Tonight That night
Present perfect Past perfect Yesterday The day before
Present perfect Past perfect continuous the previous day
continuous Tomorrow The following day
Past simple Past perfect Last week/year/month, The previous week/ year/
Future simple Conditional etc. month, etc.
Imperative Infinitive The week/year/month,
etc. before
Report these statements.
Next week/year/month, The following week /year
etc. month, etc.
1. “I hate playing golf, but I don’t mind
Now then
watching soccer on TV” Michael said. This morning/week/etc. That morning/week, etc.
2. “My daughter is travelling to Australia next At the moment At that moment
Sunday” Susan said.
3. “The teacher will come soon” the student
said. Report these questions, suggestions
4. “Susan’s mother watches soaps every day” and orders.
Ann said.
1. “Where did you hear that news?” John asked
5. “At the moment the reporter is reporting
me.
directly from the crime scene” George said.
2. “Do you watch many films on TV?” Mary asked
6. “Quality papers don’t use many photos. They
John.
prefer good articles about serious issues” the
3. “Turn the TV off immediately!” ordered the
teacher said.
mother.
7. “I don’t let my children play computer games
4. “Will you help me with my school work?” the boy
till late in the evening. It’s very bad for their
asked his sister.
health” Mrs. Smith said.
5. “What are you watching on TV?” asked my
8. “Sarah loves reading tabloids because of all
brother
the gossip that is there” said Susan.
6. “Turn on the TV set quickly, because the football
9. “Parents must teach their children to be
match is going to start” said my father.
careful when they use the Internet and give
7. “Does anyone have tickets for Madonna’s
personal information to strangers” the expert
concert?” Joe asked.
said.
8. “Can you spell the name of the film you
10. “Yesterday I watched a film that was really
mentioned, please? Joe asked.
scary. I couldn’t sleep all night” Ann said.
9. “Where have you put my mobile phone? I can’t
11. “Last year Sarah participated in a TV
find it” Jane said.
programme and she loved the experience”
10. “Why don’t you sell your old TV set and buy a
Jean said.
plasma? They have a much better image.”
12. “Next month my parents are going to buy a
Miriam suggested.
new TV set” Alice told me.
11. “Stop playing games and do your homework!”
my mother told me.
Name:______________________________ 12. “Don’t leave the TV on stand-by, because we
have to save energy” my father told me.
Class: _________ N.:____
13. “Did you buy the last Nintendo game? It’s
Date: _______________ fantastic” John said.