Reported Speech
Reported speech is used to report what someone else has said, without quoting their exact words. It is often used to give indirect speech or relay a conversation. The reporting verb (such as “said,” “told,” “asked”) is used in reported speech, and the original words are often changed to fit the sentence structure.
⏰ When Do We Use Reported Speech?
- To report statements or facts: We use reported speech when we want to communicate what someone has said or expressed.
- To report questions: We use reported speech to relay questions that have been asked. The word order changes, and there’s no need for a question mark in the reported sentence.
- She asked where I was going.
- They inquired if I wanted to join them.
- To report requests or orders: We use reported speech to report when someone gives a request or command.
- He told me to wait outside.
- She asked me to help her with the project.
- To report advice: We can also use reported speech to report advice someone has given.
📌 Structure
- 🗣 Statements:
- Structure:
[Subject] + said/told + (that) + [subject] + [past tense verb] - Example: She said that she was busy.
- ❓ Yes/No Questions:
- Structure:
[Subject] + asked + if/whether + [subject] + [past tense verb] - Example: He asked if I liked chocolate.
- ❓ Wh- Questions:
- Structure:
[Subject] + asked + question word + [subject] + [past tense verb] - Example: She asked where I lived.
- 🧾 Requests/Orders:
- Structure:
[Subject] + asked/told + [object] + to + base verb - Example: He asked me to close the door.
- 💡 Advice/Suggestions:
- Structure:
[Subject] + advised/suggested + [object] + to + base verb - Example: She advised me to go home early.
📝 Notes
- We often need to change time expressions when converting direct speech to reported speech. Here are some examples of time changes:
- Now → Then
- Today → That day
- Tomorrow → The next day
- Yesterday → The day before
- Last week → The previous week
- Next year → The following year
💬 Examples
Statements:
- Direct speech: He said, “I will meet you later.”
- Reported speech: He said that he would meet me later.
Questions (Yes/No):
- Direct speech: She asked, “Are you coming to the party?”
- Reported speech: She asked if I was coming to the party.
Questions(Wh-):
- Direct speech: They asked, “Where do you live?”
- Reported speech: They asked where I lived.
Requests
- Direct speech: He said, “Please help me with this task.”
- Reported speech: He asked me to help him with the task.
Advice:
- Direct speech: She said, “You should eat more vegetables.”
- Reported speech: She advised me to eat more vegetables.
Reported Speech with Modal Verbs
When we convert direct speech to reported speech (also called indirect speech), most verb tenses shift backward in time. Modal verbs follow specific patterns when reported, with some changing form and others remaining the same.
Modal Verbs That Change in Reported Speech
When the reporting verb (like “said,” “asked,” “told”) is in the past tense, these modal verbs change form:
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| will | would |
| can | could |
| may | might |
Examples:
Direct: “I will call you tomorrow.”
Reported: She said she would call me the next day.
Direct: “Can I borrow your pen?”
Reported: He asked if he could borrow my pen.
Direct: “You may leave early.”
Reported: The teacher said we might leave early.
Direct: “Will you help me?”
Reported: Jen asked me if I would / I’d help her.
Direct: “Can you explain this?”
Reported: She asked if I could explain that.
Modal Verbs That Don’t Change in Reported Speech
These modal verbs maintain the same form in reported speech, even when the reporting verb is in the past tense:
- might
- could
- should
- must
- would
Examples:
Direct: “What could they do about traffic?”
Reported: He wondered what they could do about traffic.
Direct: “You might want to consider other options.”
Reported: She suggested that I might want to consider other options.
Direct: “You should practice more often.”
Reported: The coach told me I should practice more often.
Direct: “You must finish this by Friday.”
Reported: My boss insisted that I must finish it by Friday.
📝Additional Important Points
Context Matters: Sometimes, the choice between modal verbs depends on the context and the exact meaning you want to convey:
Direct: “I must go now.”
Reported: She said she must go then. (if the obligation still exists)
OR
Reported: She said she had to go then. (if describing a past obligation)
Time and Place References: Remember that time and place references also change in reported speech:
Direct: “I can meet you here tomorrow.”
Reported: She said she could meet me there the next day.
Would Have / Could Have / Might Have: These forms remain unchanged:
Direct: “I would have helped if I’d known.”
Reported: He said he would have helped if he had known.
Shall: This modal usually changes to “would” or sometimes to “should”:
Direct: “Shall we go to the cinema?”
Reported: She asked if we should go to the cinema.
Ready to Accurately Report What Others Said, Including Their Nuances?
Learning to use reported speech with modal verbs (e.g., changing “I can go” to “He said he could go”) is a fantastic step to conveying conversations precisely, capturing possibility, advice, or obligation. It’s key for sophisticated English communication!
Do you want to practice transforming direct speech into reported speech, especially when modals are involved? My online English classes offer fun, interactive ways to master reported speech and all other essential grammar points. You’ll get plenty of chances to speak and build your confidence.
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