Reported Speech: Detailed Notes
Reported Speech Overview
Reported speech (also called Indirect Speech) is used to communicate what someone else has said
without quoting their exact words. Instead, you rephrase the speaker's words.
Examples:
- Direct Speech: He said, "I am happy."
- Indirect Speech: He said that he was happy.
Basic Rules of Reported Speech
When converting Direct Speech to Indirect Speech, certain changes are necessary in terms of
tenses, pronouns, time expressions, and other words.
1. Changes in Pronouns
The pronouns in Direct Speech are changed to match the perspective of the person reporting.
- Direct Speech: She said, "I like coffee."
- Indirect Speech: She said that she liked coffee.
Guideline:
- "I" changes to "he" or "she," depending on the subject.
- "My" changes to "his" or "her."
- "We" changes to "they."
2. Changes in Tenses
In reported speech, the tense usually shifts one step back (if the reporting verb is in the past tense).
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|----------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Simple Present (e.g., "I work") | Simple Past (e.g., "he worked")|
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect |
| Simple Past | Past Perfect |
| Past Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous |
| Future | Conditional |
Exceptions:
- If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense (e.g., He says, "I am happy"), no change in
tense is needed.
- Universal truths or habitual facts do not change.
3. Changes in Time Expressions
Time expressions in Direct Speech are altered in Indirect Speech to match the new perspective.
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---------------|----------------------|
| "now" | "then" |
| "today" | "that day" |
| "yesterday" | "the previous day" |
| "tomorrow" | "the next day" |
4. Reporting Verbs
Common reporting verbs like say, tell, ask are often used in indirect speech, but more specific verbs
like explain, reply, suggest, warn can add meaning.
- Said / Told:
- Said: Used without a personal object.
- Told: Requires a personal object.
Converting Different Types of Sentences
1. Statements
For statements, the reporting verb is often said or told.
- Direct Speech: He said, "I am going to the market."
- Indirect Speech: He said that he was going to the market.
2. Questions
For questions, asked or inquired is often used, and the question form changes to a statement form.
3. Commands and Requests
For commands and requests, use ordered, requested, advised, urged, or warned.
4. Exclamations and Wishes
For exclamations, exclaimed, wished, prayed, hoped are commonly used.
Advanced Usage in Reported Speech
1. Modals in Reported Speech
Modals like can, may, must, might, should often change in indirect speech.
Practice Examples
Convert the following to Indirect Speech:
1. Direct: He said, "I will call you tomorrow."
Indirect: He said that he would call me the next day.
2. Direct: She said to him, "Please help me with this work."
Indirect: She requested him to help her with that work.
