Explanation
Exercises

Reported (Indirect) Speech — Quick Guide

Tell what someone said/thought/asked without quotes. Adjust tense, pronouns, and time/place words when the time frame or speaker changes.
say/tell/ask tense backshift pronoun & time changes reported questions commands & requests modals: will→would, can→could… omit “that”
PatternThat-clause (statement)
reporting verb + (that) + clause
Direct: “I’m tired.”
Reported: He said (that) he was tired.
  • That is optional in speech/writing: She said (that) she was late.
  • say + “that …”; tell + object + “that …” → They told me (that)… (not said me).
BackshiftTense changes (when reporting from the past)
Present Simple → Past Simple
“I work” → He said he worked.
Present Continuous → Past Continuous
“I’m studying” → She said she was studying.
Present Perfect → Past Perfect
“I’ve finished” → He said he had finished.
Past Simple → Past Perfect
“I saw him” → She said she had seen him.
Will → Would
“I’ll help” → He said he would help.
Can → Could; May → Might; Must → Had to (obligation).
Would / Could / Should / Might / Had better → no change.
No backshift
  • When reporting immediately / still true: “Water boils at 100°C.” → The teacher said water boils at 100°C.
  • Reporting verb in present: She says she feels fine.
PronounsChange with perspective
Direct: “I will help you.”
Reported: He said (that) he would help me.
  • “That’s my pen.” → She said (that) it was her pen.
  • “We need your support.” → They said (that) they needed my support.
Time & PlaceCommon shifts
  • now → then; today → that day; tonight → that night
  • yesterday → the day before; tomorrow → the next/following day
  • last week → the previous week; next year → the following year
  • ago → before; here → there; this/these → that/those
QuestionsReported questions (no “?”)
ask (someone) + wh-word + subject + verb
Direct: “Where do you live?”
Reported: She asked me where I lived.
  • Yes/No → ask (someone) if / whether + clause: “Are you ready?” → He asked if I was ready.
  • No question word order: subject before verb; no do/does/did.
Commands & RequestsReported imperatives
tell/ask/order/warn + object + (not) to + infinitive
Direct: “Please, open the window.”
Reported: She asked me to open the window.

Direct: “Don’t be late.”
Reported: He told us not to be late.
  • Suggestions with let’s → suggested + -ing / that we (should) + base.
    “Let’s go.” → He suggested going / He suggested that we should go.
saysay (to someone) + that-clause
  • She said (to me) that…
  • ✗ said me (wrong)
telltell + object + (that)-clause
  • They told me (that)…
  • Also with to-infinitive for orders/requests: told me to wait.
askask + object + if/whether / wh-word
  • asked me if I was free
  • asked where I lived
Watch outCommon mistakes
  • Wrong object with say/tell: ✗ She said me… → ✔ She told me… / She said (that)…
  • Question order: ✗ He asked where did I live → ✔ …where I lived
  • Forgetting if/whether in yes/no questions.
  • Keeping quotes or question marks in reported speech — remove them.
  • Must backshift: obligation → had to; deduction/advice may stay must.
  • Time/place words not updated (now→then, here→there, etc.).

Recap: Use a reporting verb (say/tell/ask), shift tense/pronouns/time as needed, keep normal statement word order, and use if/whether or a wh-word for questions; use (not) to + infinitive for commands/requests.

Exercises:
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3

Reported speech / Indirect speech

Choose say/said or tell/told to complete the following sentences in reported speech.
1
He me that the meeting was cancelled.
2
She she didn’t feel well.
3
The receptionist to us that the manager was out.
4
They me to call back later.
5
What did your teacher about the test?
6
Who you that the museum was closed?
7
My brother he would pick me up at six.
8
I the taxi driver the address twice.
9
Everyone that the film was amazing.
10
Don’t worry — Anna me she’d help.

Reported speech / Indirect speech

Choose the correct reported speech forms to complete the sentences below.
1
“I don’t feel well.” ⇒ He said he ____ well.
A.
B.
C.
2
“I’ve lost my keys.” ⇒ She said she ____ her keys.
A.
B.
C.
3
“We bought a car yesterday.” ⇒ They said they ____ a car the day before.
A.
B.
C.
4
“I’ll call you later.” ⇒ He said he ____ me later.
A.
B.
C.
5
“I can’t swim.” ⇒ She said she ____ swim.
A.
B.
C.
6
“Please open the window.” ⇒ He asked me ____ the window.
A.
B.
C.
7
“Do you like sushi?” ⇒ She asked me ____ sushi.
A.
B.
C.
8
“Where are you going?” ⇒ He asked ____.
A.
B.
C.
9
“The Earth goes round the sun.” ⇒ The teacher said that the Earth ____ round the sun.
A.
B.
C.
10
“I had already finished the report.” ⇒ She said she ____ already finished the report.
A.
B.
C.

Reported speech / Indirect speech

Rewrite in reported speech. Change tenses, time words, and pronouns where needed. Type only the part after that / if / to shown.
Backshift cheatsheet: PS → Past: “am/is/are” → “was/were” PSimple → Past Simple PPerf/PC → Past Perfect will → would can → could today/tonight → that day/night tomorrow → the next day yesterday → the day before Imperatives: told/asked + (not) to + V Yes/No Q: asked if/whether + clause
1
‘I’m late for the meeting.’ ⇒ He said that .
2
‘We are moving to Spain next year.’ ⇒ She told me that .
3
‘I can’t help you today.’ (Tom) ⇒ Tom said that .
4
‘I finished the report yesterday.’ ⇒ She said that .
5
‘I’ve never been to Japan.’ ⇒ He told me that .
6
‘We’re having dinner with Lucy tonight.’ ⇒ They said that .
7
‘Please, don’t open the window.’ (He) ⇒ He asked me .
8
‘Will you lend me your notes?’ (She) ⇒ She asked me .
9
‘You should back up your files.’ (The technician) ⇒ The technician told me that .
10
‘I’ll send you the file tomorrow.’ ⇒ She said that .