Reported Speech: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Reported Speech

Introduction

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is the form of speaking or writing that describes what someone else said, rather than directly repeating their exact words. It involves using pronouns and auxiliary verbs to convey the intended meaning of the original statement. This article explores the concept of reported speech, providing a detailed explanation of its definition and usage, followed by examples illustrating various scenarios.

Definition and Usage

According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, reported speech refers to "a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words". The Collins Dictionary expands upon this by describing it as "the method of expressing what someone else has said without using their exact words". Similarly, the Cambridge Dictionary defines reported speech as "the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words". The Macmillan Dictionary adds that it is "the words that you use to report what someone else has said".

In reported speech, the verb tense changes depending on the time frame. Present tenses remain unchanged, while past simple changes to past perfect simple, and present continuous changes to past continuous. Past perfect continuous remains unchanged. The negatives change as follows: positive affirmative + not = negative, and negative affirmative + not = double negative. Additionally, the pronouns must agree with the subject, regardless of the gender of the speaker whose words are being reported.

Formula for Constructing Sentences in Reported Speech

You can use the following formula to transform a direct quote into reported speech:

Subject + said/asked/requested/ordered/exclaimed/screamed/told + that + Verb II (in past simple) + Verb III (in past participle)

For instance, "She told me" would become "He/she/it/they said that..."

Examples of Reported Speech

Here are several examples of sentences in reported speech:

• Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in "Funny Girl."
• Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.
• Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.
• The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.
• Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.

These examples demonstrate how reported speech can be used to convey the essence of someone's statements without resorting to direct quotes.

Conclusion

Understanding and utilizing reported speech effectively is crucial in various aspects of life, including spoken and written communication. By employing the correct verb forms and utilizing the appropriate pronouns, reported speech helps maintain coherence and clarity in retelling information.