Reported Speech Basics

Introduction to Reported Speech

• Also known as indirect speech
• A way of reporting what someone has said without quoting their exact words
• Used to convey the message or idea of the original speaker

Types of Reported Speech

• Direct Speech: quotes the exact words of the original speaker
• Indirect Speech (Reported Speech): conveys the message or idea of the original speaker without quoting their exact words

Changing Verb Tenses in Reported Speech

• Backshift: move the verb tense backwards in time
  • Direct speech: "I am going to the store."
  • Reported speech: "She said she was going to the store."
• No change: when the original sentence is in the present simple or past simple and the reporting verb is in the present
  • Direct speech: "I like coffee."
  • Reported speech: "She says she likes coffee."
• Optional change: when the original sentence is in the past perfect and the reporting verb is in the past
  • Direct speech: "I had eaten breakfast."
  • Reported speech: "She said she had eaten breakfast." (or) "She said she has eaten breakfast."

Changing Pronouns in Reported Speech

• First person (I/we) becomes third person (he/she/they)
• Second person (you) becomes third person (he/she/they)
• Third person (he/she/it) remains the same

Other Changes in Reported Speech

• Adverbs of time: change to match the time of reporting (e.g., "today" becomes "that day")
• Adverbs of place: change to match the location of the reporting (e.g., "here" becomes "there")
• Demonstratives: change to match the context of the reporting (e.g., "this" becomes "that")

Common Reporting Verbs

• Say
• Tell
• Ask
• Explain
• Announce

Exercises and Practice

• Practice changing direct speech to reported speech
• Practice using different reporting verbs
• Practice changing verb tenses, pronouns, and other elements in reported speech

Introduction to Reported Speech

• Also known as indirect speech, it's a way of reporting what someone has said without quoting their exact words.
• Used to convey the message or idea of the original speaker.

Types of Reported Speech

• Direct Speech: quotes the exact words of the original speaker.
• Indirect Speech (Reported Speech): conveys the message or idea of the original speaker without quoting their exact words.

Changing Verb Tenses in Reported Speech

• Backshift: move the verb tense backwards in time, e.g., direct speech: "I am going to the store." becomes reported speech: "She said she was going to the store."
• No change: when the original sentence is in the present simple or past simple and the reporting verb is in the present, e.g., direct speech: "I like coffee." becomes reported speech: "She says she likes coffee."
• Optional change: when the original sentence is in the past perfect and the reporting verb is in the past, e.g., direct speech: "I had eaten breakfast." becomes reported speech: "She said she had eaten breakfast." (or) "She said she has eaten breakfast."

Changing Pronouns in Reported Speech

• First person (I/we) becomes third person (he/she/they).
• Second person (you) becomes third person (he/she/they).
• Third person (he/she/it) remains the same.

Other Changes in Reported Speech

• Adverbs of time: change to match the time of reporting, e.g., "today" becomes "that day".
• Adverbs of place: change to match the location of the reporting, e.g., "here" becomes "there".
• Demonstratives: change to match the context of the reporting, e.g., "this" becomes "that".

Common Reporting Verbs

• Say
• Tell
• Ask
• Explain
• Announce

Learn about reported speech, also known as indirect speech, and how it's used to convey the message or idea of the original speaker. Explore the difference between direct and indirect speech.