§If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct
speech), but reported speech (indirect) .
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§When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:
§pronouns
§present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
§place and time expressions
§tenses (backshift)
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§Example
§direct speech
§“I speak English.”
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§English.reported speech
§He said that he spoke English.

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Reported Speech | ESL world



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§Rewrite the sentences in reported speech. Change pronouns and time expressions where necessary.
§She said, "I am reading."
→ She said that ____________________
§They said, "We are busy."
→ They said that ___________________
§He said, "I know a better restaurant."
→ He said that _____________________
§She said, "I woke up early."
→ She said that ____________________
§He said, "I will ring her."
→ He said that _____________________
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§They said, "We have just arrived."
→ They said that _________________
§He said, "I will clean the car."
→ He said that ___________________
§She said, "I did not say that."
→ She said that __________________
§She said, "I don't know where my shoes are."
→ She said that __________________
§He said: "I won't tell anyone."
→ He said that ____________________

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§REPORTING QUESTIONS
§"Where is my umbrella?" she asked.
→ She asked _______________________
§"How are you?" Martin asked us.
→ Martin asked us ___________________
§He asked, "Do I have to do it?"
→ He asked ________________________
§"Where have you been?" the mother asked her daughter.
→ The mother asked her daughter ________
§"Which dress do you like best?" she asked her boyfriend.
→ She asked her boyfriend _______________
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§"What are they doing?" she asked.
→ She wanted to know ________________
§"Are you going to the cinema?" he asked me.
→ He wanted to know _________________
§The teacher asked, "Who speaks English?"
→ The teacher wanted to know __________
§"How do you know that?" she asked me.
→ She asked me ______________________
§"Has Caron talked to Kevin?" my friend asked me.
→ My friend asked me __________________

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§When transforming questions,also note that you have to:
§transform the question into an indirect question
§use the interrogative or if / whether
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§Interrogative direct speech
§“Why don’t you speak English?”
§reported speech
§He asked me why I didn’t speak English
§Direct:
§“Do you speak English?”
§reported speech:
§He asked me whether / if I spoke English.
§Online quiz

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