Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

StatementsStatementsWhen transforming statements, check whether When transforming statements, check whether

you have to change:you have to change: pronouns pronouns present tense verbs (3rd person singular) present tense verbs (3rd person singular) place and time expressions place and time expressions tenses (backshift) tenses (backshift) direct speechdirect speech : : “I speak English.”“I speak English.”reported speechreported speech:: (no backshift)(no backshift) He saysHe says that that he speakshe speaks English. English. (backshift)(backshift) He saidHe said that he that he spokespoke English. English.

Statements in Reported SpeechStatements in Reported Speech

PronounsPronounsIn reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun In reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun

depending on who says what.depending on who says what.Example : She says, “Example : She says, “MyMy mum doesn’t have time today.” – She says mum doesn’t have time today.” – She says

that that her her mum doesn’t have time today. mum doesn’t have time today.

TensesTensesDo not change Do not change the tense if the introductory clause is in the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple Simple

Present (e. g. He saysPresent (e. g. He says). Note, however, that you might have to ). Note, however, that you might have to change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular).change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular).

Example : Example : He says, “I speak English.” – He says, “I speak English.” – He saysHe says that that he speakshe speaks English. English.

You must change the tenseYou must change the tense if the introductory clause is in if the introductory clause is in Simple Simple PastPast (e. g. (e. g. He saidHe said). This is called ). This is called backshiftbackshift..

Example : Example : He said, “I am happy.” – He said, “I am happy.” – He saidHe said that that he washe was happy. happy.

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

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

Place and Time expressionsPlace and Time expressionsFor place and time expressions you have to check For place and time expressions you have to check

whether place and time are the same in direct and whether place and time are the same in direct and reported speech or not. Check out the following reported speech or not. Check out the following example:example:

It is Friday and you meet James at a restaurant. James It is Friday and you meet James at a restaurant. James tells you that he saw Caroline in this restaurant today. tells you that he saw Caroline in this restaurant today. (“I saw Caroline here today.”) A few minutes later, (“I saw Caroline here today.”) A few minutes later, Helen joins you and you want to report what James Helen joins you and you want to report what James has told you. Place has told you. Place (here)(here) and time and time (today)(today) are the are the same and you can say:same and you can say:

→ → James said that he had seen Caroline here today.James said that he had seen Caroline here today. One day later, you meet Mary at the same restaurant. One day later, you meet Mary at the same restaurant.

Again, you want to report to her what James has told Again, you want to report to her what James has told you. The place is the same, but not the time (it you. The place is the same, but not the time (it happened yesterday). So you would say:happened yesterday). So you would say:

→ → James said that he had seen Caroline here yesterday.James said that he had seen Caroline here yesterday.

However, now you are not at the restaurant (but at However, now you are not at the restaurant (but at home) and a few days have passed since then. So you home) and a few days have passed since then. So you would say:would say:

→ → James said that he had seen Caroline at the James said that he had seen Caroline at the restaurant on Friday.restaurant on Friday.

Direct SpeechDirect SpeechReported SpeechReported Speech TodayToday that daythat day NowNowthenthen YesterdayYesterdaythe day before… the day before…  days ago… days ago… days beforedays before last weeklast week->->the week beforethe week before next yearnext yearthe following yearthe following year TomorrowTomorrowthe next day / the following daythe next day / the following day HerHereetherethere ThisThisthatthat TheseThesethosethose

QuestionsQuestionsWhen transforming questions, check whether you have to When transforming questions, check whether you have to

change:change: pronouns pronouns present tense verbs (3rd person singular) present tense verbs (3rd person singular) place and time expressions place and time expressions tenses (backshift) tenses (backshift) Also note that you have to:Also note that you have to: transform the question into an indirect question transform the question into an indirect question use the interrogative or use the interrogative or ifif / / whetherwhether direct speechdirect speech “Why don’t you speak English?”“Why don’t you speak English?”reported speechreported speech He asked me why I didn’t speak English.He asked me why I didn’t speak English.““Do you speak English?”Do you speak English?”reported speechreported speech He asked me whether / if I spoke English.He asked me whether / if I spoke English.