U9: Direct and indirect speech or reported Speech

If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

Statements

When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:
  • pronouns
  • present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
  • place and time expressions
  • tenses (backshift)
TypeExample
direct speech“I speak English.”
reported speech
(no backshift)
He says that he speaks English.
reported speech
(backshift)
He said that he spoke English.

Questions

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
  • pronouns
  • present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
  • place and time expressions
  • tenses (backshift)
Also note that you have to:
  • transform the question into an indirect question
  • use the interrogative or if / whether
TypeExample
with interrogativedirect speech“Why don’t you speak English?”
reported speechHe asked me why I didn’t speak English.
without interrogativedirect speech“Do you speak English?”
reported speechHe asked me whether / if I spoke English.

Requests

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
  • pronouns
  • place and time expressions
TypeExample
direct speech“Carol, speak English.“
reported speechHe told Carol to speak English.

Additional Information and Exeptions

Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example:
  • main clauses connected with and / but
  • tense of the introductory clause
  • reported speech for difficult tenses
  • exeptions for backshift
  • requests with mustshouldought to and let’s

Exercises on Reported Speech

Statements in Reported Speech

Questions in Reported Speech

Requests in Reported Speech

Mixed Exercises on Reported Speech

Grammar in Texts

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