SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Reported Speech (Indirect 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)
direct speech :            “I speak English.”
reported speech:
      (no backshift) He says that he speaks English.
         (backshift) He said that he spoke English.
Statements in Reported Speech

 Pronouns
In reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun
   depending on who says what.
Example : She says, “My mum doesn’t have time today.” – She says
   that her mum doesn’t have time today.

 Tenses
Do not change the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple
  Present (e. g. He says). Note, however, that you might have to
  change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular).
Example : He says, “I speak English.” – He says that he speaks
  English.

 You must change the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple
  Past (e. g. He said). This is called backshift.
Example : He said, “I am happy.” – He said that he was happy.
The verbs could, should, would, might, must, needn’t,
  ought to, used to do not normally change.
Example: He said, “She might be right.” – He said
  that she might be right.
Place and Time expressions
For place and time expressions you have to check
  whether place and time are the same in direct and
  reported speech or not. Check out the following
  example:
 It is Friday and you meet James at a restaurant. James
  tells you that he saw Caroline in this restaurant today.
  (“I saw Caroline here today.”) A few minutes later,
  Helen joins you and you want to report what James
  has told you. Place (here) and time (today) are the
  same and you can say:
→ James said that he had seen Caroline here today.
 One day later, you meet Mary at the same restaurant.
  Again, you want to report to her what James has told
  you. The place is the same, but not the time (it
  happened yesterday). So you would say:
→ James said that he had seen Caroline here yesterday.
However, now you are not at the restaurant (but at
  home) and a few days have passed since then. So you
  would say:
→ James said that he had seen Caroline at the
  restaurant on Friday.
Direct Speech Reported Speech
 Today that day
 Now then
 Yesterday the day before…
 days ago…  days before
 last week->the week before
 next year the following year
 Tomorrow the next day / the following day
 Here there
 This that
 These those
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
direct speech        “Why don’t you speak English?”
reported speech He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
“Do you speak English?”
reported speech He asked me whether / if I spoke English.

More Related Content

What's hot

Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
Widya Kurnia Arizona San
 
Narration
NarrationNarration
Narration
Iqbal Hasan
 
Direct & indirect presentation
Direct & indirect presentationDirect & indirect presentation
Direct & indirect presentation
umerjaved96
 
DIRECT AND INDIRECT NARRATION
DIRECT AND INDIRECT NARRATION DIRECT AND INDIRECT NARRATION
DIRECT AND INDIRECT NARRATION
WAJEEHA GOHAR
 
Direct and Indirect Speech: Rules for Narration
Direct and Indirect Speech: Rules for NarrationDirect and Indirect Speech: Rules for Narration
Direct and Indirect Speech: Rules for Narration
Parveen Kumar Sharma
 
Direct and indirect speech (1)
Direct and indirect speech (1)Direct and indirect speech (1)
Direct and indirect speech (1)
Rinatpirat
 
Direct And Indirect Speech
Direct And Indirect SpeechDirect And Indirect Speech
Direct And Indirect Speech
Abhinav Somani
 
Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speechDirect and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech
Roshan Roshan Ansari
 
Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech
ali miftahul amin
 
Verb tense
Verb tense Verb tense
Verb tense
adnanoni
 
Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
priyamphil123
 
Present perfect and present perfect progressive
Present perfect and present perfect progressivePresent perfect and present perfect progressive
Present perfect and present perfect progressive
Atarud A Lingua
 
Direct and indirect Narration
Direct and indirect NarrationDirect and indirect Narration
Direct and indirect Narration
Atif Nauman
 
Direct indirect (Assertive Sentences)
Direct indirect (Assertive Sentences) Direct indirect (Assertive Sentences)
Direct indirect (Assertive Sentences)
Ibrahim Shams
 
Direct & indirect speech table
Direct & indirect speech tableDirect & indirect speech table
Direct & indirect speech table
aprendeinglesenleganes.com
 
Grammar
GrammarGrammar
Grammar
sa_denegko
 
Power Point Ana
Power Point AnaPower Point Ana
Power Point Ana
guestef91a6
 
Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speechDirect and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech
Hassan Ali
 
Changing direct statements to reported statements
Changing direct statements to reported statementsChanging direct statements to reported statements
Changing direct statements to reported statements
mprabe
 
DIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECH
DIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECHDIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECH
DIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECH
Candra Waskito
 

What's hot (20)

Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
 
Narration
NarrationNarration
Narration
 
Direct & indirect presentation
Direct & indirect presentationDirect & indirect presentation
Direct & indirect presentation
 
DIRECT AND INDIRECT NARRATION
DIRECT AND INDIRECT NARRATION DIRECT AND INDIRECT NARRATION
DIRECT AND INDIRECT NARRATION
 
Direct and Indirect Speech: Rules for Narration
Direct and Indirect Speech: Rules for NarrationDirect and Indirect Speech: Rules for Narration
Direct and Indirect Speech: Rules for Narration
 
Direct and indirect speech (1)
Direct and indirect speech (1)Direct and indirect speech (1)
Direct and indirect speech (1)
 
Direct And Indirect Speech
Direct And Indirect SpeechDirect And Indirect Speech
Direct And Indirect Speech
 
Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speechDirect and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech
 
Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech
 
Verb tense
Verb tense Verb tense
Verb tense
 
Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
 
Present perfect and present perfect progressive
Present perfect and present perfect progressivePresent perfect and present perfect progressive
Present perfect and present perfect progressive
 
Direct and indirect Narration
Direct and indirect NarrationDirect and indirect Narration
Direct and indirect Narration
 
Direct indirect (Assertive Sentences)
Direct indirect (Assertive Sentences) Direct indirect (Assertive Sentences)
Direct indirect (Assertive Sentences)
 
Direct & indirect speech table
Direct & indirect speech tableDirect & indirect speech table
Direct & indirect speech table
 
Grammar
GrammarGrammar
Grammar
 
Power Point Ana
Power Point AnaPower Point Ana
Power Point Ana
 
Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speechDirect and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech
 
Changing direct statements to reported statements
Changing direct statements to reported statementsChanging direct statements to reported statements
Changing direct statements to reported statements
 
DIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECH
DIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECHDIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECH
DIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECH
 

Viewers also liked

Verbs junior
Verbs juniorVerbs junior
Verbs junior
Dora Kouri
 
Simple present+present continuous
Simple present+present continuousSimple present+present continuous
Simple present+present continuous
Dora Kouri
 
Future tenses
Future tensesFuture tenses
Future tenses
Dora Kouri
 
Flags nationalities
Flags  nationalities Flags  nationalities
Flags nationalities
Dora Kouri
 
Modal verbs
Modal verbsModal verbs
Modal verbs
Dora Kouri
 
Comparative
Comparative  Comparative
Comparative
Dora Kouri
 
Simple past vs present perfect
Simple past vs present perfectSimple past vs present perfect
Simple past vs present perfect
Dora Kouri
 
Conditionals
ConditionalsConditionals
Conditionals
Dora Kouri
 
Who, whom, whose, when, where
Who, whom, whose, when, whereWho, whom, whose, when, where
Who, whom, whose, when, where
Dora Kouri
 
The passive+exercises
The passive+exercisesThe passive+exercises
The passive+exercises
Dora Kouri
 
Question tags
Question tagsQuestion tags
Question tags
Dora Kouri
 
Customs in greece
Customs in greeceCustoms in greece
Customs in greece
Dora Kouri
 
Breadcreativity
BreadcreativityBreadcreativity
Breadcreativity
rubarchi
 
Rakesh-Nune-Incident-Management-for-DDOT
Rakesh-Nune-Incident-Management-for-DDOTRakesh-Nune-Incident-Management-for-DDOT
Rakesh-Nune-Incident-Management-for-DDOT
Rakesh Nune
 
Media India Group brochure
Media India Group brochureMedia India Group brochure
Media India Group brochure
Media India Group
 
Exploraberg2015
Exploraberg2015Exploraberg2015
Exploraberg2015
Dr. Karsten Berg
 
CV_Sachin Naik
CV_Sachin NaikCV_Sachin Naik
CV_Sachin Naik
Sachin Naik ( CPSM )
 
Paying Attention
Paying AttentionPaying Attention
Paying Attention
Tania__Perez
 
Oberserve
OberserveOberserve
Oberserve
makliker
 
Customer experience analytics
Customer experience analyticsCustomer experience analytics
Customer experience analytics
Adam Maghrouri
 

Viewers also liked (20)

Verbs junior
Verbs juniorVerbs junior
Verbs junior
 
Simple present+present continuous
Simple present+present continuousSimple present+present continuous
Simple present+present continuous
 
Future tenses
Future tensesFuture tenses
Future tenses
 
Flags nationalities
Flags  nationalities Flags  nationalities
Flags nationalities
 
Modal verbs
Modal verbsModal verbs
Modal verbs
 
Comparative
Comparative  Comparative
Comparative
 
Simple past vs present perfect
Simple past vs present perfectSimple past vs present perfect
Simple past vs present perfect
 
Conditionals
ConditionalsConditionals
Conditionals
 
Who, whom, whose, when, where
Who, whom, whose, when, whereWho, whom, whose, when, where
Who, whom, whose, when, where
 
The passive+exercises
The passive+exercisesThe passive+exercises
The passive+exercises
 
Question tags
Question tagsQuestion tags
Question tags
 
Customs in greece
Customs in greeceCustoms in greece
Customs in greece
 
Breadcreativity
BreadcreativityBreadcreativity
Breadcreativity
 
Rakesh-Nune-Incident-Management-for-DDOT
Rakesh-Nune-Incident-Management-for-DDOTRakesh-Nune-Incident-Management-for-DDOT
Rakesh-Nune-Incident-Management-for-DDOT
 
Media India Group brochure
Media India Group brochureMedia India Group brochure
Media India Group brochure
 
Exploraberg2015
Exploraberg2015Exploraberg2015
Exploraberg2015
 
CV_Sachin Naik
CV_Sachin NaikCV_Sachin Naik
CV_Sachin Naik
 
Paying Attention
Paying AttentionPaying Attention
Paying Attention
 
Oberserve
OberserveOberserve
Oberserve
 
Customer experience analytics
Customer experience analyticsCustomer experience analytics
Customer experience analytics
 

Similar to Reported speech

Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
Romanychch
 
Directandindirectspeechthemed1 131017180051-phpapp02
Directandindirectspeechthemed1 131017180051-phpapp02Directandindirectspeechthemed1 131017180051-phpapp02
Directandindirectspeechthemed1 131017180051-phpapp02
Kypchakov
 
Tista conceptos
Tista conceptosTista conceptos
Tista conceptos
Blanquita Zapet
 
Reported speech STRUCTURE4
Reported speech STRUCTURE4Reported speech STRUCTURE4
Reported speech STRUCTURE4
Indah AlwaysHappy
 
direct and indirect speech
direct and indirect speechdirect and indirect speech
direct and indirect speech
Ramya Green
 
Direct and indirect speech .pdf
Direct and indirect speech .pdfDirect and indirect speech .pdf
Direct and indirect speech .pdf
carve the raw
 
Spoken English Advanced Session 20 - Indirect Speech - Ash Vyas
Spoken English Advanced Session 20 - Indirect Speech - Ash VyasSpoken English Advanced Session 20 - Indirect Speech - Ash Vyas
Spoken English Advanced Session 20 - Indirect Speech - Ash Vyas
Ash (Ashvini) Vyas
 
Reported speech (indirect speech)
Reported speech (indirect speech)Reported speech (indirect speech)
Reported speech (indirect speech)
jdsierrag
 
Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
YahyaChoy
 
Direct & reported speech
Direct & reported speechDirect & reported speech
Direct & reported speech
English Instructor
 
Reported speech 2009
Reported speech 2009Reported speech 2009
Reported speech 2009
Garmach
 
ENG GRAMMAR (4).pptx
ENG GRAMMAR (4).pptxENG GRAMMAR (4).pptx
ENG GRAMMAR (4).pptx
Gurumurthy B R
 
Direct and indirect (Sindh University)
Direct and  indirect (Sindh University)Direct and  indirect (Sindh University)
Direct and indirect (Sindh University)
AzizullahKhaskheli1
 
direct and indirect.pptx
direct and indirect.pptxdirect and indirect.pptx
direct and indirect.pptx
MuhammadShahzad268946
 
Reported speech 3º ESO
Reported speech  3º ESOReported speech  3º ESO
Reported speech 3º ESO
Jesusmoron
 
Unit 4. the reported speech
Unit 4. the reported speechUnit 4. the reported speech
Unit 4. the reported speech
ZelidethAponte
 
Reported_speech - Grammar presentation.pdf
Reported_speech - Grammar presentation.pdfReported_speech - Grammar presentation.pdf
Reported_speech - Grammar presentation.pdf
karapitsani
 
Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speechDirect and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech
Bilal Hasan Sipra
 
Alejandro almaraz practica no. 5
Alejandro almaraz practica no. 5Alejandro almaraz practica no. 5
Alejandro almaraz practica no. 5
alejandro17almaraz
 
Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
FabiolaEspinoza21
 

Similar to Reported speech (20)

Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
 
Directandindirectspeechthemed1 131017180051-phpapp02
Directandindirectspeechthemed1 131017180051-phpapp02Directandindirectspeechthemed1 131017180051-phpapp02
Directandindirectspeechthemed1 131017180051-phpapp02
 
Tista conceptos
Tista conceptosTista conceptos
Tista conceptos
 
Reported speech STRUCTURE4
Reported speech STRUCTURE4Reported speech STRUCTURE4
Reported speech STRUCTURE4
 
direct and indirect speech
direct and indirect speechdirect and indirect speech
direct and indirect speech
 
Direct and indirect speech .pdf
Direct and indirect speech .pdfDirect and indirect speech .pdf
Direct and indirect speech .pdf
 
Spoken English Advanced Session 20 - Indirect Speech - Ash Vyas
Spoken English Advanced Session 20 - Indirect Speech - Ash VyasSpoken English Advanced Session 20 - Indirect Speech - Ash Vyas
Spoken English Advanced Session 20 - Indirect Speech - Ash Vyas
 
Reported speech (indirect speech)
Reported speech (indirect speech)Reported speech (indirect speech)
Reported speech (indirect speech)
 
Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
 
Direct & reported speech
Direct & reported speechDirect & reported speech
Direct & reported speech
 
Reported speech 2009
Reported speech 2009Reported speech 2009
Reported speech 2009
 
ENG GRAMMAR (4).pptx
ENG GRAMMAR (4).pptxENG GRAMMAR (4).pptx
ENG GRAMMAR (4).pptx
 
Direct and indirect (Sindh University)
Direct and  indirect (Sindh University)Direct and  indirect (Sindh University)
Direct and indirect (Sindh University)
 
direct and indirect.pptx
direct and indirect.pptxdirect and indirect.pptx
direct and indirect.pptx
 
Reported speech 3º ESO
Reported speech  3º ESOReported speech  3º ESO
Reported speech 3º ESO
 
Unit 4. the reported speech
Unit 4. the reported speechUnit 4. the reported speech
Unit 4. the reported speech
 
Reported_speech - Grammar presentation.pdf
Reported_speech - Grammar presentation.pdfReported_speech - Grammar presentation.pdf
Reported_speech - Grammar presentation.pdf
 
Direct and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speechDirect and indirect speech
Direct and indirect speech
 
Alejandro almaraz practica no. 5
Alejandro almaraz practica no. 5Alejandro almaraz practica no. 5
Alejandro almaraz practica no. 5
 
Reported speech
Reported speechReported speech
Reported speech
 

More from Dora Kouri

Presentation- ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΖΩ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΙΖΩ - ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ.pdf
Presentation- ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΖΩ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΙΖΩ - ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ.pdfPresentation- ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΖΩ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΙΖΩ - ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ.pdf
Presentation- ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΖΩ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΙΖΩ - ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ.pdf
Dora Kouri
 
SCHOOL ITEMS- Unit 1 - d class.pdf
SCHOOL ITEMS- Unit 1 - d class.pdfSCHOOL ITEMS- Unit 1 - d class.pdf
SCHOOL ITEMS- Unit 1 - d class.pdf
Dora Kouri
 
HOBBIES.pdf
HOBBIES.pdfHOBBIES.pdf
HOBBIES.pdf
Dora Kouri
 
PROFESSIONS.pdf
PROFESSIONS.pdfPROFESSIONS.pdf
PROFESSIONS.pdf
Dora Kouri
 
HEALTHY FOOD.pdf
HEALTHY FOOD.pdfHEALTHY FOOD.pdf
HEALTHY FOOD.pdf
Dora Kouri
 
MAGIC BOOK 2 PRE UNIT pres.pptx
MAGIC BOOK 2 PRE UNIT  pres.pptxMAGIC BOOK 2 PRE UNIT  pres.pptx
MAGIC BOOK 2 PRE UNIT pres.pptx
Dora Kouri
 
PROFESSIONS.pptx
PROFESSIONS.pptxPROFESSIONS.pptx
PROFESSIONS.pptx
Dora Kouri
 
C CLASS- UNIT 5- THE ANIMAL SCHOOL.pdf
C CLASS- UNIT 5- THE ANIMAL SCHOOL.pdfC CLASS- UNIT 5- THE ANIMAL SCHOOL.pdf
C CLASS- UNIT 5- THE ANIMAL SCHOOL.pdf
Dora Kouri
 
C CLASS-UNIT 4- THE WEASEL AND THE MOLE-pres.pdf
C CLASS-UNIT 4- THE WEASEL AND THE MOLE-pres.pdfC CLASS-UNIT 4- THE WEASEL AND THE MOLE-pres.pdf
C CLASS-UNIT 4- THE WEASEL AND THE MOLE-pres.pdf
Dora Kouri
 
ADJECTIVES JUNIOR- MAGIC BOOK.pdf
ADJECTIVES JUNIOR- MAGIC BOOK.pdfADJECTIVES JUNIOR- MAGIC BOOK.pdf
ADJECTIVES JUNIOR- MAGIC BOOK.pdf
Dora Kouri
 
PRESENT CONTINUOUS - GREEK - PDF .pdf
PRESENT CONTINUOUS - GREEK - PDF .pdfPRESENT CONTINUOUS - GREEK - PDF .pdf
PRESENT CONTINUOUS - GREEK - PDF .pdf
Dora Kouri
 
PRESENT SIMPLE-CONTINUOUS GREEK.pdf
PRESENT SIMPLE-CONTINUOUS GREEK.pdfPRESENT SIMPLE-CONTINUOUS GREEK.pdf
PRESENT SIMPLE-CONTINUOUS GREEK.pdf
Dora Kouri
 
Present perfect- in greek
Present perfect- in greekPresent perfect- in greek
Present perfect- in greek
Dora Kouri
 
Present perfect continuous - in greek
Present perfect continuous - in greek Present perfect continuous - in greek
Present perfect continuous - in greek
Dora Kouri
 
Conditionals 0 1-2 - pdf
Conditionals 0 1-2 - pdf Conditionals 0 1-2 - pdf
Conditionals 0 1-2 - pdf
Dora Kouri
 
Modals junior - greek
Modals   junior - greekModals   junior - greek
Modals junior - greek
Dora Kouri
 
Adjectives junior
Adjectives juniorAdjectives junior
Adjectives junior
Dora Kouri
 
Professions
ProfessionsProfessions
Professions
Dora Kouri
 
Inventions old and new
Inventions old and newInventions old and new
Inventions old and new
Dora Kouri
 
Christmas book exercises printable
Christmas book exercises printableChristmas book exercises printable
Christmas book exercises printable
Dora Kouri
 

More from Dora Kouri (20)

Presentation- ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΖΩ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΙΖΩ - ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ.pdf
Presentation- ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΖΩ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΙΖΩ - ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ.pdfPresentation- ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΖΩ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΙΖΩ - ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ.pdf
Presentation- ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΖΩ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΙΖΩ - ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ.pdf
 
SCHOOL ITEMS- Unit 1 - d class.pdf
SCHOOL ITEMS- Unit 1 - d class.pdfSCHOOL ITEMS- Unit 1 - d class.pdf
SCHOOL ITEMS- Unit 1 - d class.pdf
 
HOBBIES.pdf
HOBBIES.pdfHOBBIES.pdf
HOBBIES.pdf
 
PROFESSIONS.pdf
PROFESSIONS.pdfPROFESSIONS.pdf
PROFESSIONS.pdf
 
HEALTHY FOOD.pdf
HEALTHY FOOD.pdfHEALTHY FOOD.pdf
HEALTHY FOOD.pdf
 
MAGIC BOOK 2 PRE UNIT pres.pptx
MAGIC BOOK 2 PRE UNIT  pres.pptxMAGIC BOOK 2 PRE UNIT  pres.pptx
MAGIC BOOK 2 PRE UNIT pres.pptx
 
PROFESSIONS.pptx
PROFESSIONS.pptxPROFESSIONS.pptx
PROFESSIONS.pptx
 
C CLASS- UNIT 5- THE ANIMAL SCHOOL.pdf
C CLASS- UNIT 5- THE ANIMAL SCHOOL.pdfC CLASS- UNIT 5- THE ANIMAL SCHOOL.pdf
C CLASS- UNIT 5- THE ANIMAL SCHOOL.pdf
 
C CLASS-UNIT 4- THE WEASEL AND THE MOLE-pres.pdf
C CLASS-UNIT 4- THE WEASEL AND THE MOLE-pres.pdfC CLASS-UNIT 4- THE WEASEL AND THE MOLE-pres.pdf
C CLASS-UNIT 4- THE WEASEL AND THE MOLE-pres.pdf
 
ADJECTIVES JUNIOR- MAGIC BOOK.pdf
ADJECTIVES JUNIOR- MAGIC BOOK.pdfADJECTIVES JUNIOR- MAGIC BOOK.pdf
ADJECTIVES JUNIOR- MAGIC BOOK.pdf
 
PRESENT CONTINUOUS - GREEK - PDF .pdf
PRESENT CONTINUOUS - GREEK - PDF .pdfPRESENT CONTINUOUS - GREEK - PDF .pdf
PRESENT CONTINUOUS - GREEK - PDF .pdf
 
PRESENT SIMPLE-CONTINUOUS GREEK.pdf
PRESENT SIMPLE-CONTINUOUS GREEK.pdfPRESENT SIMPLE-CONTINUOUS GREEK.pdf
PRESENT SIMPLE-CONTINUOUS GREEK.pdf
 
Present perfect- in greek
Present perfect- in greekPresent perfect- in greek
Present perfect- in greek
 
Present perfect continuous - in greek
Present perfect continuous - in greek Present perfect continuous - in greek
Present perfect continuous - in greek
 
Conditionals 0 1-2 - pdf
Conditionals 0 1-2 - pdf Conditionals 0 1-2 - pdf
Conditionals 0 1-2 - pdf
 
Modals junior - greek
Modals   junior - greekModals   junior - greek
Modals junior - greek
 
Adjectives junior
Adjectives juniorAdjectives junior
Adjectives junior
 
Professions
ProfessionsProfessions
Professions
 
Inventions old and new
Inventions old and newInventions old and new
Inventions old and new
 
Christmas book exercises printable
Christmas book exercises printableChristmas book exercises printable
Christmas book exercises printable
 

Reported speech

  • 1. Reported Speech (Indirect 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.
  • 2. Statements When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:  pronouns  present tense verbs (3rd person singular)  place and time expressions  tenses (backshift) direct speech : “I speak English.” reported speech: (no backshift) He says that he speaks English. (backshift) He said that he spoke English.
  • 3. Statements in Reported Speech  Pronouns In reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun depending on who says what. Example : She says, “My mum doesn’t have time today.” – She says that her mum doesn’t have time today.  Tenses Do not change the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple Present (e. g. He says). Note, however, that you might have to change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular). Example : He says, “I speak English.” – He says that he speaks English.  You must change the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple Past (e. g. He said). This is called backshift. Example : He said, “I am happy.” – He said that he was happy.
  • 4. The verbs could, should, would, might, must, needn’t, ought to, used to do not normally change. Example: He said, “She might be right.” – He said that she might be right.
  • 5. Place and Time expressions For place and time expressions you have to check whether place and time are the same in direct and reported speech or not. Check out the following example:  It is Friday and you meet James at a restaurant. James tells you that he saw Caroline in this restaurant today. (“I saw Caroline here today.”) A few minutes later, Helen joins you and you want to report what James has told you. Place (here) and time (today) are the same and you can say: → James said that he had seen Caroline here today.  One day later, you meet Mary at the same restaurant. Again, you want to report to her what James has told you. The place is the same, but not the time (it happened yesterday). So you would say: → James said that he had seen Caroline here yesterday.
  • 6. However, now you are not at the restaurant (but at home) and a few days have passed since then. So you would say: → James said that he had seen Caroline at the restaurant on Friday.
  • 7. Direct Speech Reported Speech  Today that day  Now then  Yesterday the day before…  days ago…  days before  last week->the week before  next year the following year  Tomorrow the next day / the following day  Here there  This that  These those
  • 8. 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 direct speech “Why don’t you speak English?” reported speech He asked me why I didn’t speak English. “Do you speak English?” reported speech He asked me whether / if I spoke English.