Reported Speech: Examples and Exercises
Reported speech.
(also known as indirect speech) is used to report what someone has said without quoting their exact words. It often involves changes in pronouns, verb tenses, and time expressions.
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Basic Rules for Reported Speech:
. Tense Changes:
Present Simple → Past Simple
Example:
Direct: She says, "I like pizza."
Reported: She said (that) she liked pizza.
Present Continuous → Past Continuous
Example:
Direct: He says, "I am working now."
Reported: He said (that) he was working then.
Present Perfect → Past Perfect
Example:
Direct: She says, "I have finished my homework."
Reported: She said (that) she had finished her homework.
Past Simple → Past Perfect
Example:
Direct: He said, "I went to the store yesterday."
Reported: He said (that) he had gone to the store the day before.
Will → Would
Example:
Direct: They say, "We will come tomorrow."
Reported: They said (that) they would come the next day
. Pronoun Changes:
The pronouns in direct speech change to match the person reporting the speech.
Example:
Direct: She says, "I love this place."
Reported: She says (that) she loves this place.
Time Expression Changes:
Now → Then
Today → That day
Tomorrow → The next day / The following day
Yesterday → The day before / The previous day
Examples of Reported Speech:
Direct Speech: She said, "I am going to the store."
Reported Speech: She said (that) she was going to the store.
Direct Speech: He said, "I will finish my homework tomorrow."
Reported Speech: He said (that) he would finish his homework the next day.
Direct Speech: "I have never been to Paris," he said.
Reported Speech: He said (that) he had never been to Paris.
Direct Speech: "We are watching a movie," they said.
Reported Speech: They said (that) they were watching a movie.
Direct Speech: "She likes chocolate," he said.
Reported Speech: He said (that) she liked chocolate.
Exercise 1:
Change the following sentences from direct speech to reported speech.
"I am reading a book," she said.
"They will visit us tomorrow," he said.
"We have already eaten," they said.
"I don't like ice cream," she said.
"He is studying for his exams," she said.
Exercise 2:
Choose the correct reported speech form.
He said, "I can't find my keys." a) He said (that) he can't find his keys.
b) He said (that) he couldn't find his keys.
"She is coming to the party," Tom said. a) Tom said (that) she is coming to the party.
b) Tom said (that) she was coming to the party.2 "I will call you later," she said. a) She said (that) I will call you later.
b) She said (that) she would call me later.
"We were watching a movie," they said. a) They said (that) they were watching a movie.
b) They said (that) they are watching a movie.
"I have never seen that movie," John said. a) John said (that) he has never seen that movie.
b) John said (that) he had never seen that movie.
. Exercise 3: Complete the sentences with the correct reporting verbs.
"I will help you with your homework," said Jane.
Jane .......... to help me with my homework
"You should eat more vegetables," said the doctor.
The doctor .......... me to eat more vegetables.
"I don't know the answer," said Mark.
Mark .........that he didn't know the answer.
"I am going to the market," said Anna.
Anna .......... that she was going to the market
"I love playing football," said David.
David ...... that he loved playing football
Answer Key:
Exercise 1:
1. She said (that) she was reading a book.
2. He said (that) they would visit us the next day.
3. They said (that) they had already eaten.
4. She said (that) she didn’t like ice cream.
5. She said (that) he was studying for his exams
.
Exercise 2:
1. b) He said (that) he couldn't find his keys.
2. b) Tom said (that) she was coming to the party.
3. b) She said (that) she would call me later.
4. a) They said (that) they were watching a movie.
5. b) John said (that) he had never seen that movie.
Exercise 3:
1. promised
2. advised
3. said
4. said
5. said
Conclusion
Reported speech is essential for communicating what others have said without quoting them directly. It helps convey information clearly and effectively. Remember the key rules for tense changes, pronoun shifts, and time expression modifications. With regular practice, using reported speech will become natural!
