Studied by 5 peopleWhen do we use reported speech?
Reported speech is used to report what someone else has said
In reported speech, we turn present simple into...
In reported speech, we turn present simple into past simple.
What type of question is the following: Do you like ice-cream?
Yes/no question
How many types of questions are they? Can you name them?
There are two types of questions, yes/no questions and Wh-questions
Is compare a study verb
Yes, "compare" is a study verb.
In reported speech we turn present continuous into…
past continuous
In reported speech we turn present perfect into…
past perfect
In reported speech we turn past simple into…
past perfect
In reported speech we turn past perfect into…
past perfect
Yes/no question example:
If you can answer it only with yes or no it´s perfect!
Wh-question example:
If it starts with a wh-word it´s perfect!
Report this answer: “I am going to London next week”
She told me she was going to London the following week
What is the direct question of this report?: The teacher asked us to close the door
“Can you close the door?”
What is the reported version of this direct question?: “Do you have a pen I could borrow?”
He/she asked if I had a pen he/she could borrow
What is the direct question of this report?: Nina said she is cutting her hair tomorrow
“I’ll cut my hair tomorrow”
What is the reported version of this direct question?: “I love to dance.”
She/he said she/he loved to dance
What is the reported version of this direct question?: “What did he say?”
They asked him/her what the teacher had said
What is the direct question of this report?: Chris asked her if she would like to have dinner with him the following night
“Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
What do we use in affirmative sentences? [reported speech]
THAT
And in negative sentences?
IF
Reported Speech
With reported speech, as opposed to direct speech, we do not use quotation marks and it does not have to be word for word. In general, when we use indirect or reported speech, the verb tense changes. Below is a table with an explanation of the tense changes in indirect or reported speech.
We sometimes use “that” in affirmative and negative sentences to introduce what the other person has said. In interrogative sentences, “if” or “whether” are used.
Note: Keep in mind that time expressions also change in reported speech.
Note the changes in time in the examples below and at the end of the lesson you will find a table with more information regarding the changes in expressions of time in indirect or reported speech.
DIRECT SPEECH
REPORTED SPEECH
Present Simple
Past Simple
“He is American,” she said.
She said he was American.
“I’m happy to see you,” Mary said.
Mary said that she was happy to see me.
" He asked, “Are you busy tonight**?”**
He asked me if I was busy that night**.**
Present Continuous
Past Continuous
“Dan is living in San Francisco,” she said.
She said Dan was living in San Francisco.
He said, “I’m making dinner.”
He told me that he was making dinner.
“Why are you working so hard?” they asked.
They asked me why I was working so hard.
Past Simple
Past Perfect
“We went to the movies last night**,” he said.**
He told me they had gone to the movies the night before**.**
Greg said, “I didn’t go to work yesterday**.”**
Greg said that he hadn’t gone to work the day before**.**
“Did you buy a new car?” she asked.
She asked me if I had bought a new car.
Past Continuous
Past Perfect Continuous
“I was working late last night**,” Vicki said.**
Vicki told me she’d been working late the night before**.**
They said, “we weren’t waiting long.”
They said that they hadn’t been waiting long.
Note
Flashcard