Reported / Indirect Speech — quick guide
What it is
We use reported (indirect) speech to tell someone what another person said or thought. Pronouns, time words and—often—verb tenses change because the speaker and time are different.
- “I don’t have time.” → She said (that) she didn’t have time.
- “I’m tired.” → He said (that) he was tired.
We often omit that after reporting verbs: She said she was late.
Say vs. tell (and friends)
- say + clause: She said (that) it was urgent.
- tell + object + clause: She told me (that) it was urgent.
- Other useful verbs: ask, advise, warn, promise, invite, remind, suggest.
Tense changes (backshift)
| Direct speech | → Reported speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present simple | Past simple | “I like it.” → He said he liked it. |
| Present continuous | Past continuous | “I’m studying.” → She said she was studying. |
| Past simple | Past perfect | “I lost it.” → He said he had lost it. |
| Present perfect / Past perfect | Past perfect (unchanged) | “I’ve seen it.” → She said she had seen it. |
| Will | would | “I’ll help.” → He said he would help. |
| Can | could | “I can come.” → She said she could come. |
| May | might | “I may be late.” → He said he might be late. |
| Must (obligation) | had to | “I must leave.” → She said she had to leave. |
| could / should / would / might / ought to | usually unchanged | “We should go.” → They said we should go. |
No backshift is also possible when the reporting verb is in the present (He says he is tired) or when the statement is still true/general fact (She said water boils at 100℃).
Time & place words
| Direct | → Reported |
|---|---|
| now | then / at that moment |
| today / tonight | that day / that night |
| yesterday / last night | the day/night before |
| tomorrow / next week | the next/following day / week |
| last week | the previous week / the week before |
| this week | that week |
| here | there |
| … ago | … before |
Reported questions
- wh- questions keep the wh-word and use statement order (no do/does/did):
“When did they arrive?” → He asked when they had arrived. - Yes/No questions use if / whether:
“Did they call?” → He asked if/whether they had called.
Reported orders, requests & advice
- tell/ask + object + to-infinitive:
“Give me the money.” → He told me to give him the money. - Negative: told/asked + object + not to
“Don’t answer the door.” → He asked me not to answer the door. - Common patterns: advise/warn/encourage/promise + object + to-infinitive or suggest + -ing / that + clause.
Pronoun & reference changes
- First person becomes third person from the original speaker’s view: “I will help you.” → He said he would help me.
- Possessives change accordingly: “That’s my pen.” → She said it was her pen.
Keep pronouns if the speaker/listener haven’t changed (You said, “I love you.” → You told me you loved me).
Exercises:
Indirect speech / Reported speech
Choose the correct form to complete the sentences below.
1
“I work in a bank.” ⇒ He said that he
in a bank.
2
“I am working today.” ⇒ She told us she
that day.
3
“I've been ill for a couple of weeks.” ⇒ He told me he
for a couple of weeks.
4
“I was at the doctor's all morning.” ⇒ She told me that she
at the doctor's all morning.
5
“I'll lend you the money.” ⇒ He told me he
me the money.
6
“I can't do it without your help.” ⇒ She said she
it without my help.
7
“The meeting may start early.” ⇒ He told us that the meeting
early.
8
“I must leave early today.” ⇒ He said that he
early that day.
9
“You should talk to Jim.” ⇒ She said that I
to Jim.
10
“Get out!” ⇒ She told me
.
Indirect speech / Reported speech
Choose the correct form for each gap below.
1
“I will finish the report tomorrow,” Anna said. ➜ Anna said that _____.
A.
B.
C.
2
“We are moving to Canada next month,” they said. ➜ They said that _____.
A.
B.
C.
3
“I have never been to Japan,” Mark said. ➜ Mark said that _____.
A.
B.
C.
4
“I bought a new laptop yesterday,” she said. ➜ She said that _____.
A.
B.
C.
5
Tom said to me, “I can help you.” ➜ Tom _____.
A.
B.
C.
6
“Please, don’t be late,” the teacher said to the students. ➜ The teacher _____.
A.
B.
C.
7
“Do you like spicy food?” she asked me. ➜ She asked me _____ spicy food.
A.
B.
C.
8
“Where did you park the car?” the officer asked. ➜ The officer asked _____ the car.
A.
B.
C.
9
“You must wear a helmet,” the coach said to us yesterday. ➜ The coach told us that _____ wear helmets.
A.
B.
C.
10
“You should see a doctor,” he said to her. ➜ He _____ a doctor.
A.
B.
C.
Indirect speech / Reported speech
Turn these sentences into indirect speech.
1
“Where are my keys?” ⇒ He asked me .
2
“Are you free tomorrow?” ⇒ She asked me .
3
“Close the window, please.” ⇒ The teacher told us .
4
“What time did the show start?” ⇒ They asked me .
5
“I’m working on a new app now.” ⇒ Dan said .
6
“We will call you this evening.” ⇒ The support agent said .
7
“I can’t help you here.” ⇒ The guard said .
8
“Don’t be late!” ⇒ Mum told me .
9
“Have you seen my email?” ⇒ My boss asked .
10
“Did you finish the report yesterday?” ⇒ She asked me .