The Reported Speech...
When do we use
the reported speech?
 Sometimes someone says a sentence…
For example:
"I am going to the cinema tonight."
 Later, maybe we want to tell someone else
what the first person said.
When do we use
the reported speech?
He told me he was
going to the cinema
that night.
The Reported Speech…
We usually use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell‘.
For example:
He told me that he loved me.
He said to me that he wanted to
marry me.
Reporting Verbs… Say & Tell
 With ‘tell' we NEED to use the
direct object ('me‘, ‘you’, ‘us’).
John told me (that) he was going to be late.
 With 'say' we CAN or CAN’T use
the direct object.
John said (that) he would be late.
John said to me (that) he would be late.
Example of Reporting Verbs…
• He decided ….
• He affirmed …
• He exclaimed …
• He explained …
• He confessed …
• He asked…
• He questioned…
• He wondered…
• He inquired…
The Reported Speech...
If the sentence starts in the past, pay attention to the
following transformations…
TENSE
DIRECT SPEECH
REPORTED SPEECH
Present Simple
I“like ice cream.“
She said (that) she liked ice cream.
Present Continuous
I am living in London.“
“
She said she was living in London.
Past Simple
I bought a car.“
“
Past Continuous
I was walking along the street.“
“
Present Perfect
I haven't seen Julie“
“
Past Perfect
I had taken English lessons
“
before.“
Will
I“'ll see you later.“
Would
I would help, but...“
“
Can
I can speak perfect English.“
“
She said she had bought a car (OR…)
She said she bought a car.
She said she had been walking along
the street.
She said she hadn't seen Julie.
She said she had taken English lessons
before.
She said she would see me later.
She said she would help but...
She said she could speak perfect English
The Reported Speech...
If the sentence starts in the past, pay attention to the
following transformations…
The Reported Speech...
If the sentence starts in the past, pay attention to the
following transformations…
From
To
this (evening)
today/this day
these (days)
now
(a week) ago
that (evening)
that day
those (days)
then
(the week) before
the weekend before / the previous
weekend
there
the following (week)
the next/following day
last weekend
here
next (week)
tomorrow
Reporting Questions...
For 'wh' questions…
Direct Questions
Reported Questions
Where is the Post
Office, please?
She asked me where the Post Office
was.
What are you doing?
She asked me what I was doing.
Who was that fantastic
man?
She asked me who that fantastic
man had been.
Subject + Verb
Reporting Questions...
To report a 'yes / no' question… we use 'if‘…
Direct Question
Reported Question
Do you love me?
He asked me if I loved him.
Have you ever been to
Mexico?
She asked me if I had ever been
to Mexico.
Are you living here?
She asked me if I was living there.
Now, let’s practise...
Reporting Statements...
Choose the correct verb...
1. Everybody said / told the concert had been
terrible.
2. I didn’t say / didn’t tell Meg that I was coming
today.
3. The Prime Minister said / told that things would
get better soon.
4. Nancy didn’t say / didn’t tell us anything.
5. Mr Jones said / told the manager he was
leaving.
6. She said / told us to stand up.
7. Alice said / told she was sick.
The Reported Speech...
Put the sentences in the Reported Speech.
1. “I’m having a party tonight.”
(that) he was having a party that night.
He said __________________________________
2. “John is so happy.”
(that) John was so happy.
Mary said ________________________________
The Reported Speech...
Put the sentences in the Reported Speech.
3. “They are going to meet Susan at four.”
(that) they were going to meet Susan at 4.
She said __________________________________
4. “I don’t understand anything!”
(that) he didn’t understand anything.
John explained ______________________________
The Reported Speech...
Put the sentences in the Reported Speech.
5. “I will write to my parents.”
(that) he would write to his parents.
Tom said __________________________________
6. “Jane has already been to France.”
(that) she had already been to France.
John explained _______________________________
Reporting
Statements
Reporting
Questions