Freely adapted from www.ego4u.com

Statements in Reported Speech

Pronouns

In reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun depending on who says what. For example:

She says, “My mum doesn’t have time today.” – She says that her mum doesn’t have time today.

Tenses

No backshift

Do not change the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple Present (e. g. He says). Note, however, that you might have to change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular). For example:

He says, “I speak English.” – He says that he speaks English.

Backshift

You must change the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple Past (e. g. He said). This is called backshift. For example:

He said, “I am happy.” – He said that he was happy.

The verbs could, should, would, might, must, needn’t, ought to, used to do not normally change. For example:

He said, “She might be right.” – He said that she might be right.

Direct Speech Reported Speech Simple Present Simple Past Present Progressive Past Progressive Simple Past Past Perfect Simple Present Perfect Simple Past Perfect Simple Past Progressive Past Perfect Progressive Present Perfect Progressive Past Perfect Progressive Future I (going to) was / were going to Future I (will) Conditional I (would) Conditional I (would)

Place and Time expressions

For place and time expressions you have to check whether place and time are the same in direct and reported speech or not. Check out the following example:

Therefore you always have to think which place and time expressions are logical in a certain situation. In the following table, you will find ways of transforming place and time expressions into reported speech.

Direct Speech Reported Speech today that day now then yesterday the day before … days ago … days before last week the week before next year the following year tomorrow the next day / the following day here there this that these those

Exercises on reported speech

Reporting Commands and Instructions - Exercise

Reporting Questions: Exercise