REPORTED STATEMENT
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
What is?
• Usually used to talk about the past, so we
normally change the tense of the words
spoken.
• We use reporting verbs like 'say', 'tell', 'ask',
and we may use the word 'that' to introduce
the reported words. Inverted commas are not
used.
She said, "I saw him." (direct
speech)
=
She said that she had seen
him. (indirect speech/
reported speech)
How?
• Always BACKSHIFT your
tenses!
–Present Past
–Past Past perfect
PRESENT PAST
PRESENT SIMPLE (V1) PAST SIMPLE (V2)
• “I like ice cream
” • She said (that) she liked ice
cream.
• Peter said,” "Carol is a nice • Peter said (that) Carol was a
girl." nice girl.
It isn't necessary to change the present tense into the past tense if the information in
the direct speech is still true or a general statement.
“The sun rises in the east” She said that the sun rises in the east.
PRESENT PAST
PRESENT CONTINUOUS (IS, AM, PAST CONTINUOUS (WAS, WERE
ARE +VING) + VING)
• ‘’“I am living in London’’ • She said (that) she was
living in London.
• “She is working at a • He said (that) she was
shop” working in a shop
PRESENT PAST
PRESENT PERFECT (HAVE+V3) PAST PERFECT (HAD+V3)
• ““I haven't seen Julie
” • She said (that) she
hadn't seen Julie.
• “I have worked here for • He said (that) he had
8 years” worked here* for 8
years.
PRESENT PAST
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
(HAVE/HAS BEEN +VING) (HAD BEEN + VING)
• “I have been studying • He said (that) he had
math” been studying math
• “I have been working in • She said (that) she had
a shop” been working in a shop.
PAST PAST PERFECT
PAST SIMPLE (V2) PAST PERFECT (HAD+V3)
• “I bought a car” • She said (that) she had
bought a car.
• "We went swimming • They said (that) they
with our friends." had gone swimming
with their friend.
PAST PAST PERFECT
PAST CONTINUOUS PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
WAS/WERE+VING) (HAD BEEN+VING)
• ““I was walking along the • She said (that) she had
street”” been walking along the
street.
• “We were having a • They said (that) they
great time” had been having a great
time.
PAST PAST PERFECT
PAST PERFECT (HAD+V3) PAST PERFECT (HAD+V3)
• “I had taken English • She said (that) she had
lessons before
” taken English lessons
before.
• “I had had my breakfast • He said (that) he had
before I went to school” had his breakfast before
he had gone to school.
MODALS
•
”I will see you later” • She said (that) she
would see me later.
• ““I can speak perfect • She said (that) she
English”” could speak perfect
English.
• “I must study at the • She said (that) she must
weekend” study at the weekend
EXPRESSIONS OF TIME AND PLACE
DIRECT REPORTED
1. Now 1. Then
2. At the moment 2. At that moment
3. Today 3. That day
4. Yesterday 4. The day before
5. Tomorrow 5. The next day / the following day
6. Last … 6. The previous … / the … before
7. Next … 7. The following …
8. … ago 8. … before
9. Here 9. There
10. This 10. That
11. These 11. Those
SAID?
• Admit
• Agree ALL IN
• Announce
•
•
Believe
Claim
THE
•
•
Explain
Think
FORM OF
• Tell
V2
REPORTED SPEECH EXERCISES
REPORTED REQUEST
REPORTED COMMAND
REPORTED STATEMENT
WRITE THE ORIGINAL SENTENCES
1. John said he was thinking of moving to another
school next term.
2. The teacher told me not to talk to my friend.
3. The head teacher announced that our school had
won the ‘Best school’ award.
4. Sabine told me to meet Sandy at the station.
5. I said I was already late for my dance class that day.
6. Jean said that the boss had to sign the letter.
7. The teacher reminded me not to forget my
homework.
8. My father said he had worked in that company for
20 years.
9. Peter admitted that he was falling in love with
Jill.
10.He urged me not to be nasty.
11.I thought that a book would be the best gift for
her.
12.He asked me to be nice to my brother.
13.She agreed that her job had been worrying her.
14.The announcer explained that the competition
was going to start in one hour.
15.He wanted the students to revise their lessons.
CHANGE INTO REPORTED SPEECH!
1. “I’m taking my Spanish exam tomorrow”.
2. "Write a text message!"
3. “I’d like to do it now, not tomorrow”.
4. “Stop staring at me!”
5. “I’ve just found a great job”.
6. “ Please, don't be angry with me”.
7. “I was watching TV all evening”
8. “John, stop smoking!”
9. “I’ll help you finish the cleaning”
10.“Close the door behind you, please”
11.She said, "I went to the cinema yesterday.“
12.He said, "I will have finished this paper by
tomorrow.“
13.He said, "I am writing a test tomorrow.“
14.They said, "This is our book.“
15.She said, "I am not hungry now.“
