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Reported Speech
Definition of Reported Speech Reported speech is defined as “a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.” “speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.” Reported speech is defined as “the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.” Reported speech as “the words that you use to report what someone else has said.”
Rules to be Followed When Using Reported Speech Reported speech is a little different from direct speech. As it has been discussed already, reported speech is used to tell what someone said and does not use the exact words of the speaker. Take a look at the following rules so that you can make use of reported speech effectively.
Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)
Rules : (i). You can use verbs like said, asked, requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed, screamed, told, etc. If you are just reporting a declarative sentence, you can use verbs like told, said, etc. followed by ‘that’ and end the sentence with a full stop. (ii) When you are reporting interrogative sentences, you can use the verbs – enquired, inquired, asked, etc. and remove the question mark. (iii) In case you are reporting imperative sentences, you can use verbs like requested, commanded, pleaded, ordered, etc. (iv) If you are reporting exclamatory sentences, you can use the verb exclaimed and remove the exclamation mark. Remember that the structure of the sentences also changes accordingly. (v) Furthermore, keep in mind that the sentence structure, tense, pronouns, modal verbs, some specific adverbs of place and adverbs of time change when a sentence is transformed into indirect/reported speech. Transforming Direct Speech into Reported Speech
When transforming a sentence from direct speech into reported speech, you will have to change the pronouns, tense and adverbs of time and place used by the speaker.
Let us look at the following tables to see how they work.
Table 1 – Change of Pronouns
Direct Speech Reported Speech
I He, she Me. Him, her We They Us. Them You. He, she, they You Him, her, them My. His, her Mine. His, hers Our Their Ours. Theirs Your His, her, their Yours His, hers, theirs
Table 2 – Change of Adverbs of Place and Adverbs of Time
Direct Speech Reported Speech
Simple Present Example: Preethi said, “I cook pasta.”
Simple Past Example: Preethi said that she cooked pasta.
Present Continuous Example: Preethi said, “I am cooking pasta.”
Past Continuous Example: Preethi said that she was cooking pasta.
Present Perfect Example: Preethi said, “I have cooked pasta.”
Past Perfect Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.
Present Perfect continuous Example: Preethi said, “I have been cooking pasta.”
Past Perfect Continuous Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta.
Simple Past Example: Preethi said, “I cooked pasta.”
Past Perfect Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.
Past Continuous Example: Preethi said, “I was cooking pasta.”
Past Perfect Continuous Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta.
Past Perfect Example: Preethi said, “I had cooked pasta.”
Past Perfect (No change) Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.
Past Perfect Continuous Example: Preethi said, “I had been cooking pasta.”
Past Perfect Continuous (No change) Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta.
- The teacher said, “Make sure you complete the homework before tomorrow.”
- Sylvester said, “I am not going to cry anymore.”
- Jade said, “My sister is moving to Los Angeles.
Answer :
- Rachel said that she had an interview the next day.
- Mahesh asked what he was doing.
- Sherly said that her daughter was playing the lead role in the skit.
- Dinesh exclaimed that it was a wonderful movie.
- Suresh said that his son was getting married the following month.
- Preetha asked if I could help her with the invitations.
- Anna said that she looked forward to meeting me.
- The teacher told us to make sure we completed the homework before the next day.
- Sylvester said that he was not going to cry anymore.
- Jade said that his sister was moving to Los Angeles.
Exercise : I am reading a book,” she said. “We will go to the beach tomorrow,” he announced. “Can you help me with my homework?” she asked. “I have already seen that movie,” he claimed. “Please turn off the lights,” she requested. “They are cooking dinner,” he mentioned. “Why did you arrive late?” she inquired. “I cannot solve this math problem,” he admitted. “I will call you later,” she promised. “Let’s meet at the park,” he suggested. “She has been working all day,” he observed. “Do you like chocolate ice cream?” she wondered. “The concert starts at 8 PM,” he informed. “We won the championship,” she exclaimed. “I need more time to finish the project,” he confessed. “The train departs in 15 minutes,” she reminded. “Did you visit the museum?” he asked. “I’m going to visit my grandparents next weekend,” she said. “We should plant more trees,” he advised. “Don’t forget to buy milk,” she reminded.
