Statements
When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:
Pronouns
Present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
Place and time expressions
Tenses (backshift)
Type Example
direct speech “I speak English.”
reported speech
(no backshift) He says that he speaks English.
reported speech
(backshift) He said that he spoke English.
Questions
When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
Pronouns
Present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
Place and time expressions
Tenses (backshift)
Also note that you have to:
transform the question into an indirect question
use the interrogative or if / whether
Type Example
with interrogative direct speech “Why don’t you speak English?”
reported speech He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
without interrogative direct speech “Do you speak English?”
reported speech He asked me whether / if I spoke English.
Requests
When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
Pronouns
Place and time expressions
Type Example
direct speech “Carol, speak English.“
reported speech He told Carol to speak English.
Writing activity
Exercise 1. Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note whether the sentence is a request, a statement or a question.
1. He said, "I like this song."
He said
2. "Where is your sister?" she asked me.
She asked me
3. "I don't speak Italian," she said.
She said
4. "Say hello to Jim," they said.
They asked me
5. "The film began at seven o'clock," he said.
He said
6. "Don't play on the grass, boys," she said.
She told the boys
7. "Where have you spent your money?" she asked him.
She asked him
8. "I never make mistakes," he said.
He said
9. "Does she know Robert?" he wanted to know.
He wanted to know
10. "Don't try this at home," the stuntman told the audience.
The stuntman advised the audience
Exercise 2. Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note whether the sentence is a request, a statement or a question and whether you have to change the tenses or not.
1. "I was very tired," she said.
She said
2. "Be careful, Ben," she said.
She told Ben
3. "I will get myself a drink," she says.
She says
4. "Why haven't you phoned me?" he asked me.
He wondered
5. "I cannot drive them home," he said.
He said
6. "Peter, do you prefer tea or coffee?" she says.
She asks Peter
7. "Where did you spend your holidays last year?" she asked me.
She asked me
8. He said, "Don't go too far."
He advised her
9. "Have you been shopping?" he asked us.
He wanted to know
10. "Don't make so much noise," he says.
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