REPORTED SPEECH | MEANING | EXAMPLES | EXERCISE
Reported speech and Indirect speech are exactly the same and its usually only used for writing. reported speech is when we talk about what someone else said, but not using their exact words. we rephrase it. for example, If someone said ''I like pizza'', we could say ''they said they enjoy pizza.'' It's a way to share what someone said in our own words.
Change the tense.
present simple - past simple
Change the pronouns.
I / your - She / my
Direct speech
''I love your dress''
Reported speech
Ana said that she loved my dress.
Tenses direct tense and reported tense
| Direct tense | Reported tense |
|---|---|
| present simple | past simple |
| present continuous | past continuous |
| present perfect | past perfect |
| present perfect continuous | past perfect continuous |
| past simple | past perfect |
| past continuous | past perfect continuous |
| past perfect | same |
| past perfect continuous | same |
| future simple (will) | will / would |
| future continuous | will / would |
| future perfect | will / would |
| future perfect continuous | will / would |
Rules of reported speech
.jpg "reported speech indirect speech definition examples")
1. Reported speech is always written in past tense
2. Reported speech is always written in third person
3. When the speaker asks a question which can only be answered in yes or no
.jpg "reported speech indirect speech definition examples")
4. When the speaker speaks a sentence add that
5. When the speaker gives a request or command add to
6. When the speaker asks a question like what, where, how, when, who etc. do not add anything
7. Do not change the dialogue into past tense when the dialogue is a universal truth.
Some important exceptions examples of reported speech and direct speech are given below:
Direct speech:
I live in US.
Reported speech:
He said that he lives in the US.
Direct speech:
Next month I am going to the US.
Reported speech
She told me that she is going to the US next month.
| Direct | Reported |
|---|---|
| will | would |
| can | could |
| may (possibility) | might |
| may (permission) | could |
| must (obligation) | had to |
| must (speculation) | must |
| could | could |
| should | should |
| would | would |
| might | might |
Examples:
Will → Would
Direct - I will definitely attend your function.
Reported - My mother said that she would definitely attend your function.
Can → Could
Direct - I can't dance properly.
Reported - She told me he couldn't dance properly.
May → Might (possibility)
Direct - We may increase our prices in March.
Reported - My cousin said that they might increase their prices in March.
May → Could (Permission)
Direct - Yes, you may use your smartphone in class.
Reported - The teacher said we could use our smartphones in class.
Must → Had to (Obligation)
Direct - She must pay for today's party.
Reported - My mother said that we had to pay for today's party.
Must → Must
Direct - Joy isn't back from the mall yet. He must be stuck in the traffic
Reported - She said that he must be stuck in the traffic.
Should → Should
Direct - You should check out the new location.
Reported - Peter said that we should check out the new location.
.jpg&description=reported speech (indirect speech) Meaning | Examples){kind=link}