Reported speech

We use reported speech to repeat what someone said without using their exact words.

Say (Used to say something in a general way).

Tell (Used when communicating something to someone in specific). 

Example:

• You aren’t good student.

The teacher said that we were not good students.

The teacher told me that we were not good student.

Form:

    Direct speech:                                                          Reported speech:

Simple present ……………………………………….. Simple past

Present progressive ………………………………....... Past progressive

Simple past …………………………………………... Past perfect

Present perfect ………….…………………………..... Past perfect

Be going to ……………………………………………Was/were -  going to

Will …………………………………………………... Would

Can ………………………………………………….... Could

Should ………………………………………………... Should 

Time expressions:

Today …………………………………………….That day.

Tomorrow ………………………………………. The next day.

Yesterday ……………………………………….. The day before.

Next week ………………………………………..The following week.

Now ……………………………………………... Then

Last week ……………………………………….. The week before.

Last Sunday ……………………………………... The Sunday before. 

Place expressions:

Here …………………………………………………. There

Examples:

• You are eating in class.

The teacher said that we were eating in class.

• You didn´t do homework.

The teacher said that we had not dance homework.

• You have failed the English test.

The teacher said that we had failed the English test.

• I am going to have a party.

The teacher said that I was going to have a party.

• I will dance.

The teacher said that he would dance.

• I can dance.

The teacher said that he could dance.

• I should learn French.

The teacher said that he should learn French. 

Watch out!

He told me he was going to talk to them (Right).

He said me he was going to talk to them (Wrong). 

Practice

Rewrite these sentences as reported speech.

• I don´t want to go to the meeting (Paula).

Paula said that she didn´t want to go to the meeting.

• Sarah and I are going to buy a house (Sam).

Sam said that they were going to buy a house.

• You won´t believe the news (Lisa).

Lisa told me that I wouldn´t believe the news.

• I can come to your party next week (Gary).

Gary said that he could come to my party next week.

• I´m sure that Rick called you (Amanda).

Amanda said that she was sure that Rick called me.

• I think you and Mary should get married (Rita).

Rita said that she thought Mary and I should get married.