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.
1. 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.
- She said that she was going to the store.
- He told me that he had finished his homework.
- 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.
- He advised me to take the bus.
- She suggested that I study more for the exam.
2. Forming the Present Simple
- For Statements: Use the reporting verb (such as “said” or “told”) and change the pronouns and verb tense to reflect the past.
- Direct speech: She says, “I am busy.”
- Reported speech: She said that she was busy.
- For Questions: The word order changes, and we no longer use the question mark. We often start with “if” or “whether” for yes/no questions and use a question word for wh-questions.
- Direct speech: He asked, “Do you like chocolate?”
- Reported speech: He asked if I liked chocolate.
- For Requests or Orders: Use the verb “ask” or “tell” followed by an infinitive (to + base form of the verb).
- Direct speech: He said, “Please close the door.”
- Reported speech: He asked me to close the door.
- For Advice or Suggestions: Use the verb “advise” or “suggest” followed by an infinitive.
- Direct speech: She said, “You should go home early.”
- Reported speech: She advised me to go home early.
3. Common Time Expressions
- 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
4. 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.