Meeting 4: Reported Speech

MEETING 4
Reported Speech
Reported Speech
'reported speech‘ refers to a sentence reporting what

someone has said. It is almost always used in spoken
English.
If the reporting verb (i.e. said) is in the past, the reported
clause will be in a past form. This form is usually one
step back into the past from the original.
Examples:
1. He said “the test was difficult.”
2. She said “she watched TV every day.”
In direct speech the reporter repeats the original words of
the speaker:
Leila said, "The cat has broken the vase."
In the indirect (reported) speech the reporter gives the

exact meaning of the speaker's utterance without
necessarily repeating the exact words of the speaker:
Leila said (that) the cat had broken the vase.

Using SAY vs. TELL
1. Say is followed immediately by a noun clause.

Example: Anna said that she was hungry.
2. Tell is not followed immediately by a pronoun object

and then by a noun clause.
example : Anna told me that she was hungry.
Anna told John that she was hungry.
Anna told us that she was hungry.
Using ASK IF
Ask is used to report yes/no questions and if or whether
are used after ask to introduce a noun clause.
Example:
1. Sam said to me, “ are you hungry?” ( direct speech)
Sam asked me if I was hungry. (indirect speech)
2. Pablo said to me, “are you married?”( direct speech)
Pablo asked me if I was married. ( indirect speech)
3. Jessica said to me, do you know my cousin?” (direct
speech)
Jessica asked me whether I knew her cousin. ( indirect
speech)
In additional to ask, yes/no questions can be reported by
using want to know, wonder, and inquire.
Example:
Direct speech: Sam said to me, “are you hungry?”
indirect speech: - Sam wanted to know if I was hungry.
- Sam wondered if I was hungry.
- Sam inquired whether or not I was
hungry.
In indirect (reported) speech the tenses have to be
changed in a way that the reporter (you) goes a step
back in the time line with each tense. For instance, if the
tense in the time of speaking (direct speech) is the
present, it becomes past in the reported speech. If it is in
the past, it is reported in the past perfect, if it is in the
future, it is reported in the conditional and so on.
verb form usage in reported speech:
1. He said, “I work hard.” 1. He said (that) he worked hard.
2. He said, “I am working hard.” 2. He said (that) he was working hard.
3. He said, “ I worked hard” 3. He said (that) he had worked hard.
4. He said, I have worked hard.” 4. He said (that) he had worked hard.
5. He said, I am going to work hard,” 5. He said (that) he was going to hard.
6. He said, “ I will work hard.” 6. He said (that) he would work hard.
7. He said, “ I can work hard.” 7. He said (that) he could work hard.
8. He said, “ I may work hard.” 8. He said (that) he might work hard.
9. He said, “ I have to work hard.” 9. He said (that) he had to work hard.
10. He said, “ I must work hard.” 10. He said (that) he had to work hard.
Some other expressions (signifiers) such as the
adverbs of time and place also change
• Direct speech • Indirect speech
1. Here 1. There
2. Now 2. Then
3. This/ these 3. That/ those
4. Yesterday 4. The day before or the previous day
5. Last week/month/year , etc 5. The previous week/month/year
6. Tomorrow 6. The day after or the following day
7. Next week/month/year, etc 7. The following week/month/year
8. Three days ago 8. Three years before
9. Today/ tonight 9. That day/ that night
Turn the following sentences into reported speech:
1. Marina said, "The postman has brought a parcel.“

2. "It's from America," said the postman.
3. "It must be from Patty," thought Shanna.
4. "Open it!" said Adela.
5. "What is it?" asked Michelle.
6. Alice said, "All I see is powder.“
7. "I think it's coffee," announced Mr. Pearson.
8. "I believe it's pepper," said Mr. Thompson.
9. "I'm saving the last bit for Dr Janet," said Sisca.
10. "Please spread the ashes on the ground," said the
letter.
Tell another friend what Charlie said. Use reported
speech!
1. I’m living in London now.
2. My father isn’t very well.
3. Sharon and Paul are getting married next month.
4. Margaret has had a baby.
5. I don’t know what Fred is doing.
6. I saw Helen at a party in June and she seemed fine.
7. I haven’t seen Diane recently.
8. I’m not enjoying my job very much.
9. You can come and stay at my flat if you are visiting
London.
10. My car was stolen a few weeks ago.

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MEETING 4

'reported speech‘ refers to a sentence reporting what

Leila said, "The cat has broken the vase."

In the indirect (reported) speech the reporter gives the

Leila said (that) the cat had broken the vase.

1. Say is followed immediately by a noun clause.

2. Tell is not followed immediately by a pronoun object

2. He said, “I am working hard.” 2. He said (that) he was working hard.

3. He said, “ I worked hard” 3. He said (that) he had worked hard.

4. He said, I have worked hard.” 4. He said (that) he had worked hard.

5. He said, I am going to work hard,” 5. He said (that) he was going to hard.

6. He said, “ I will work hard.” 6. He said (that) he would work hard.

7. He said, “ I can work hard.” 7. He said (that) he could work hard.

8. He said, “ I may work hard.” 8. He said (that) he might work hard.

9. He said, “ I have to work hard.” 9. He said (that) he had to work hard.

1. Marina said, "The postman has brought a parcel.“

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