Name: Jurez Daz Jos Carlos

Group: 6IV09
Date: 30/6

Reported Spech (Indirect Speech)

I.- Definition:
If we report what another person has said, we usually do
not use the speakers 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.
II.- Uses:
The Reported Speech is in use when there is brought what
someone said, it is necessary to take the following points:
1. The principal verb regularly conjugates and one
changes Simple Present.
2. They must change the times of agreement to his
past correct form, it does not change until what was
said it is true.

3. You must not forget that the personal pronouns

change as well as the possessive adjectives
depending on the person who said it.
4. Also they change the adverbs of place and of time.

III.- Special features:

Statements:
When transforming statements, check whether you have
to change: pronouns present tense verbs (3rd person
singular) place and time expressions tenses (backshift)
Type
Direct Speech
reported speech
(no backshift)
reported speech
(backshift)

Example
I speak English.
He says that he speaks
English.
He said that he spoke
English.

Questions
When transforming questions, check whether you have to
change:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

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

Type
with
interrogativ
e
without
interrogativ
e

Example
direct speech
reported
speech
direct speech
reported
speech

Why dont you speak

English?
He asked me why I didnt
speak English.
Do you speak English?
Do you speak English?

Requests
When transforming questions, check whether you have to
change:
1. pronouns
2. place and time expressions

Type

Example

direct speech
reported speech

Carol, speak English.

He 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:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

main clauses connected with and / but

tense of the introductory clause
reported speech for difficult tenses
exeptions for backshift
requests with must, should, ought to and lets

IV.-Exercises:
1. "Where is my umbrella?" she asked.
She asked where her umbrella was.
2. "How are you?" Martin asked us.
Martin asked us how we were.
3. He asked, "Do I have to do it?"

He asked if he had to do it.

Speech: say, tell,

explain, point out

It is used when we want to share

other speakers words or thoughs

Thought: think, know,

belive (not) realize

REPORTED
SPEECH

Orders: tell, order

Request: ask, wonder,
want to know

Reporting Verbs