Learn: “Guess what he told me yesterday!” We often retell stories, share gossip, or explain what others said, but the tricky part is saying it right. Let’s find out how to do that like a true storyteller! Before you watch the video, let's revise the basics. The most common verbs we use in reported speech are "say" and "tell". We must pay attention here. We say: tell somebody something and say something (to somebody).
Structure: tell + object (person) + (that) + clause
They told me (that) they would help me.
Structure: say + (that) + clause
He said (that) he didn’t have a car.
What to do with "that"?
After the more common reporting verbs, (e.g. say, tell) it is also entirely natural to omit "that" in informal speech.
I told him (that) I'd be back by ten o'clock but he said he needed me here by nine.
After certain verbs (e.g. replied, shouted) that cannot be omitted and it is not normally dropped after nouns.
He shouted at me that he was fed up with living in Britain.
The Dean of the Humanities Faculty informed the students that the drama dept was going to close.
Now watch the video and find out the more about reported speech.
Key Takeaways:
1.The Essence
We use reported speech when we tell someone what another person said.
Direct speech: “I like apples,” she said.
Direct speech: “I like apples,” she said.
Reported speech: She said (that) she liked apples.
You become a messenger between two people — you report the original message.
You become a messenger between two people — you report the original message.
Direct vs. Reported Speech
Direct speech: shows the exact words inside quotation marks.
“I’m tired.”
Reported speech: shows the meaning of what was said, not the exact words.
He said (that) he was tired.
Direct speech: shows the exact words inside quotation marks.
“I’m tired.”
Reported speech: shows the meaning of what was said, not the exact words.
He said (that) he was tired.
When we report what someone said, several parts of the sentence often change:
Verb tense: goes one step back into the past
Pronouns: to match the new speaker/listener
Time and place words: because the situation is different
Verb tense: goes one step back into the past
Pronouns: to match the new speaker/listener
Time and place words: because the situation is different
2.1.Changes of the Verb Tenses
Present Tenses — Past Tenses:
Present Simple — Past Simple
Direct speech: “I work here.”
Reported speech: She said she worked there.
Present Continuous — Past Continuous
Direct speech: “I am studying.”
Reported speech: He said he was studying.
Present Perfect — Past Perfect
Present Perfect — Past Perfect
Direct speech: “I have finished reading the book.”
Reported speech: She said she had finished reading the book.
Past Tenses — “More Past” (Perfect Forms)
Past Simple — Past Perfect
Direct speech: “I went to town.”
Reported speech: She said she had gone to town.
Past Continuous — Past Perfect Continuous
Past Continuous — Past Perfect Continuous
Direct speech: “I was working.”
Reported speech: He said he had been working.
Past Perfect — No change
Past Perfect — No change
Direct speech: “I had seen it before.”
Reported speech: She said she had seen it before.
Future Forms
Will — Would
Will — Would
Direct speech: “I will call you.”
Reported speech: He said she would call me.
Shall — Should / Would
Shall — Should / Would
Direct speech: “I shall help you.”
Reported speech: He said he would help me.
Be going to — Was/Were going to
Be going to — Was/Were going to
Direct speech: “I’m going to leave.”
Reported speech: He said he was going to leave.
Modal Verbs
Can — Could
Direct speech: “I can swim.”
Reported speech: She said she could swim.
May — Might
May — Might
Direct speech: “I may come later.”
Reported speech: He said he might come later.
Must — Had to
Must — Had to
Direct speech: “I must leave.”
Reported speech: He said he had to leave.
Have to — Had to
Have to — Had to
Direct speech: “I have to work.”
Reported speech: She said she had to work.
Shall — Should / Would
Shall — Should / Would
Direct speech: “I shall call you.”
Reported speech: He said he would call me.
Should / Would / Could / Might / Ought to — No change
Direct speech: “I should go.”
Reported speech: He said he should go.
2.2. Pronoun, Time and Place Changes
I — he/she
Direct speech: “I’m tired.”
Reported speech: He said he was tired.
this — that
this — that
Direct speech: “I like this book.”
Reported speech: She said she liked that book.
these — those
these — those
Direct speech: “I bought these shoes.”
Reported speech: He said he bought those shoes.
here — there
here — there
Direct speech: “She is here.”
Reported speech: She said she was there.
today — that day
today — that day
Direct speech: “I met her today.”
Reported speech: He said he met her that day.
tomorrow — the next day
tomorrow — the next day
Direct speech: “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Reported speech: She said she’d call the next day.
3. Reported Questions
Structure — Yes / No Questions:
reporting verb + object + if/whether + word order as in affirmative statements
Remember: no question mark.
Direct speech: “Is she here?” she asked
reporting verb + object + if/whether + word order as in affirmative statements
Remember: no question mark.
Direct speech: “Is she here?” she asked
Reported speech: She asked me if she was there.
Structure — Wh- Questions: use the question word — not if/whether:
Direct speech: “Where have you been?” they asked
Structure — Wh- Questions: use the question word — not if/whether:
Direct speech: “Where have you been?” they asked
Reported speech: They asked me where I had been.
4. Reported Commands and Requests
We report orders and requests using:
reporting verb + object + (not) to + infinitive
Direct speech: “Sit down!”
reporting verb + object + (not) to + infinitive
Direct speech: “Sit down!”
Reported speech: He told me to sit down.
Direct speech: “Don’t wait!”
Direct speech: “Don’t wait!”
Reported speech: She told me not to wait.
Direct speech: “Open the door, please.”
Direct speech: “Open the door, please.”
Reported speech: She asked me to open the door.
Svarīgi!
Before finishing your sentence, check:
Tense — did you move it one step back?
Pronouns — do they match the speaker and listener?
Time and place words — are they now from your point of view?
Punctuation — no quotation marks, only a full stop.
Tense — did you move it one step back?
Pronouns — do they match the speaker and listener?
Time and place words — are they now from your point of view?
Punctuation — no quotation marks, only a full stop.
Learn: when we report what someone said, we don’t always use “say”, “tell” or "ask." Different verbs show how or why the person spoke.
Verbs that show purpose or emotion:
She promised to call back.
admit — [ədˈmɪt] — when someone accepts they did something wrong; atzīt
admit — [ədˈmɪt] — when someone accepts they did something wrong; atzīt
He admitted he forgot the keys.
deny — [dɪˈnaɪ] — when someone says something isn’t true; noliegt
deny — [dɪˈnaɪ] — when someone says something isn’t true; noliegt
They denied breaking the rule.
advise — [ədˈvaɪz] — when someone gives helpful suggestions; ieteikt
advise — [ədˈvaɪz] — when someone gives helpful suggestions; ieteikt
The doctor advised me to rest.
warn — [wɔːn] — when someone gives a serious message about danger; brīdināt
warn — [wɔːn] — when someone gives a serious message about danger; brīdināt
Police warned people not to go outside.
invite — [ɪnˈvaɪt] — when someone asks politely to join or take part; uzaicināt, ielūgt
invite — [ɪnˈvaɪt] — when someone asks politely to join or take part; uzaicināt, ielūgt
She invited us to the meeting.
remind — [rɪˈmaɪnd] — when someone helps another person remember; atgādināt
remind — [rɪˈmaɪnd] — when someone helps another person remember; atgādināt
He reminded me to lock the door.
order — [ˈɔː.dər] — when someone gives a command; pavēlēt
order — [ˈɔː.dər] — when someone gives a command; pavēlēt
The officer ordered them to leave the building.
suggest — [səˈdʒest] — when someone gives an idea or recommendation; ierosināt, ieteikt
suggest — [səˈdʒest] — when someone gives an idea or recommendation; ierosināt, ieteikt
She suggested going for a walk.
agree — [əˈɡriː] — when two people share the same opinion; piekrist
agree — [əˈɡriː] — when two people share the same opinion; piekrist
They agreed to meet later.
refuse — [rɪˈfjuːz] — when someone says “no” to a request; atteikt, noraidīt
refuse — [rɪˈfjuːz] — when someone says “no” to a request; atteikt, noraidīt
He refused to tell the truth.
explain — [ɪkˈspleɪn] — when someone gives information to make something clear; paskaidrot
explain — [ɪkˈspleɪn] — when someone gives information to make something clear; paskaidrot
She explained that it was an accident.
recommend — [ˌrek.əˈmend] — when someone gives a positive suggestion; rekomendēt
recommend — [ˌrek.əˈmend] — when someone gives a positive suggestion; rekomendēt
The teacher recommended studying earlier.
Quick tip:
Think about why the person spoke:
To give info — say, tell, explain
To ask or request — ask, order, remind
To give advice or warning — advise, warn, recommend
To express feelings — admit, deny, promise, refuse, agree
Think about why the person spoke:
To give info — say, tell, explain
To ask or request — ask, order, remind
To give advice or warning — advise, warn, recommend
To express feelings — admit, deny, promise, refuse, agree
Learn: sometimes we report information, but we don’t know or don’t want to say who said it. Instead of “People say that…”, we use a more formal, impersonal form.
1. “It is said that…” — general information
Structure: It is + past participle + that…
This is common in news, formal reports, or public information.
It is said that the city is very safe. = People say the city is very safe.
It is believed that the suspect has left the country.
It is reported that the road will reopen tomorrow.
2. “He/She/They are said to…” — focus on the person.
Structure: subject + be + past participle + to-infinitive
The mayor is said to be planning new safety measures. = People say the mayor is planning…
The company is thought to have lost data. = People think the company lost data.
The children are believed to be safe. = People believe they are safe.
3. Talking about past actions — report past events
Structure: to have + past participle
He is believed to have escaped last night.
The factory is reported to have closed last year.
1. “It is said that…” — general information
Structure: It is + past participle + that…
This is common in news, formal reports, or public information.
It is said that the city is very safe. = People say the city is very safe.
It is believed that the suspect has left the country.
It is reported that the road will reopen tomorrow.
2. “He/She/They are said to…” — focus on the person.
Structure: subject + be + past participle + to-infinitive
The mayor is said to be planning new safety measures. = People say the mayor is planning…
The company is thought to have lost data. = People think the company lost data.
The children are believed to be safe. = People believe they are safe.
3. Talking about past actions — report past events
Structure: to have + past participle
He is believed to have escaped last night.
The factory is reported to have closed last year.
Atsauce:
Virtually Fluent “Reported Speech (Intermediate Grammar)” on youtube.com