

Present continuous becomes past continuous.Move the tense backward when the reporting verb is in the past tense. The reporter needs to analyze the context of the action. This rule proves that the choice of verb tense is not a black-and-white question. Slater says they’re opening a restaurant soon.This verb tense also works if the report is something someone would repeat. Use the simple present tense in your indirect speech if the initial words remain relevant at the time of reporting. Note how the main verb in the reported statement is also in the past tense verb form. Reported speech: She said she disliked fried chicken. Direct speech: I dislike fried chicken.Remember that some of these words are irregular verbs, meaning they don’t follow the typical -d or -ed pattern. Verb Tense ChangesĬhange the reporting verb into its past form if the statement is irrelevant now. Indirect speech: She asked if she was coming with them.

Direct speech: “Are you coming with us?”.Use if when you’re reporting a yes-no question. You can say, “My aunt says she’s outside,” or “My aunt says that she’s outside.” The most common conjunction in reported speech is that. But with enough practice, you’ll be able to master them all. The rules for reported speech can be complex. The four types of reported speech are similar to the kinds of sentences: imperative, interrogative, exclamatory, and declarative. What are the 4 Types of Reported Speech?Īside from direct and indirect, reported speech can also be divided into four. Meanwhile, the reported clause is the 2nd clause, which is I need your help. The reporting clause here is William said. Reported Speech StructureĪ speech report has two parts: the reporting clause and the reported clause. Indirect speech: I told James that I was working on my thesis. Direct speech: “I’m working on my thesis,” I told James.Indirect speech: The employer asked me if I had experience with people in the corporate setting. Direct speech: The employer asked me, “Do you have experience with people in the corporate setting?”.That’s because the time of speaking is already done. We usually talk about the past every time we use reported speech. We also change the first-person figure in the quotation into the third-person speaker. When we tell someone what another individual said, we use reporting verbs like told, asked, convinced, persuaded, and said. Kryz said those were all her necklaces.Indirect speech changes the original speaker’s words. Kryz said, “These are all my necklaces.”.I’ll break each down for you.Ī direct speech sentence mentions the exact words the other person said. There are two kinds of reported speech you can use: direct speech and indirect speech. You can do this while speaking or writing. Reported speech is a term we use when telling someone what another person said. Download Worksheet PDF and Answers Here What Does Reported Speech Mean?
