Topic 1.2.2 Reported Speech

Theory Behind Reported Speech

Definition:

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to express what someone else has said without quoting them directly. It involves changing the pronouns, verb tenses, and other words as necessary to fit the context of the report.

Key Rules and Changes:

1. Pronoun Changes:

   • The pronouns in the direct speech change to match the perspective of the reporting speaker.
   • Example: “I am happy,” she said. -> She said that she was happy.

2. Verb Tense Changes:

   • In reported speech, the verb tense usually shifts one step back into the past.
   • Present simple -> Past simple: “I work hard,” he said. -> He said that he worked hard.
   • Present continuous -> Past continuous: “I am working,” she said. -> She said that she was working.
   • Present perfect -> Past perfect: “I have finished,” he said. -> He said that he had finished.
   • Simple past -> Past perfect: “I saw the movie,” she said. -> She said that she had seen the movie.
   • Future simple (will) -> Conditional (would): “I will call you,” he said. -> He said that he would call me.

3. Time Expressions:

   • Words indicating time change to reflect the time passed since the original statement.
   • Example: “I will do it tomorrow,” she said. -> She said that she would do it the next day.
   • today -> that day
   • tomorrow -> the next day/the following day
   • yesterday -> the day before/the previous day
   • now -> then
   • next week -> the following week

4. Modal Verbs:

   • Certain modal verbs change in reported speech.
   • can -> could: “I can help you,” he said. -> He said that he could help me.
   • may -> might: “I may go,” she said. -> She said that she might go.
   • must -> had to: “You must finish this,” he said. -> He said that I had to finish it.
   • Note: would, could, should, might, and ought to do not change.

5. No Change Needed:

   • If the reporting verb is in the present, future, or present perfect tense, the tense in the reported clause doesn’t change.
   • Example: He says, “I am tired.” -> He says that he is tired.

6. Questions in Reported Speech:

   • When reporting questions, the subject and verb switch to statement form, and the question mark is removed.
   • Wh- questions: “Where are you going?” she asked. -> She asked where I was going.
   • Yes/no questions: “Are you coming?” he asked. -> He asked if I was coming.

7. Commands and Requests:

   • To report commands and requests, use verbs like ‘asked,’ ‘told,’ ‘requested,’ followed by an infinitive.
   • Example: “Please open the window,” she said. -> She asked me to open the window.

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