reported speech verb

Reporting Verbs

Perfect english grammar.

• She said (that) she had already eaten.
• I told John (that) I had seen the new film.
• She told the children to go to bed.
• I asked my boss if I could leave early.
• She asked them where the station was.
• I asked Lucy to pass me the salt.
• She advised him to see a doctor.
• The staff advise that you carry water at all times.
• I'd advise against leaving early.
• We agreed to meet the following day.
• I agreed that the children could do their homework later.
• They apologised to us for being late.
• She apologised for forgetting the book.
• She apologised for the delay.
• They decided to go to the cinema.
• They decided that they would go to the cinema.
• She encouraged him to take the exam again.
• The teacher encouraged the students to ask questions.
• The teacher explained that the course was finished.
• She explained the grammar to the students.
• They explained how to buy a train ticket on the internet.
• John explained where to find the restaurant.
• We explained what the exams would cover.
• He insisted on paying.
• He insisted that we sit down.
• He promised to arrive early.
• I promised him that I wouldn't do it again.
• I recommend visiting the British Museum while you're in London.
• I recommend that you visit the British Museum
• She reminded him to take his keys.
• They reminded me that there is a party tonight.
• I suggest leaving soon
• I suggest that you come as soon as you can.
• I warned them not to go in the water.
• She warned us about the dangerous roads.
• When there's a clause, we make the negative in the usual way: She said that she didn't like ice cream.
• When there's 'to + infinitive', we generally put 'not' before 'to': He promised not to do it again.
• When there's 'verb-ing', we generally put 'not' in front of it: I advise not taking the bus.
• I advise that he go to bed early. (Normally we'd expect: I advise that he goes to bed early.)
• I insist that she come now. (Normally we'd expect: I insist that she comes now.)
• They suggested that the cats be put in the garden for the night. (Normally we'd expect: They suggested that the cats are put in the garden for the night.)

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What is Reported Speech and how to use it? with Examples

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Olivia Drake

Reported speech and indirect speech are two terms that refer to the same concept, which is the act of expressing what someone else has said.

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Reported speech is different from direct speech because it does not use the speaker’s exact words. Instead, the reporting verb is used to introduce the reported speech, and the tense and pronouns are changed to reflect the shift in perspective. There are two main types of reported speech: statements and questions.

1. Reported Statements: In reported statements, the reporting verb is usually “said.” The tense in the reported speech changes from the present simple to the past simple, and any pronouns referring to the speaker or listener are changed to reflect the shift in perspective. For example, “I am going to the store,” becomes “He said that he was going to the store.”

2. Reported Questions: In reported questions, the reporting verb is usually “asked.” The tense in the reported speech changes from the present simple to the past simple, and the word order changes from a question to a statement. For example, “What time is it?” becomes “She asked what time it was.”

It’s important to note that the tense shift in reported speech depends on the context and the time of the reported speech. Here are a few more examples:

• Direct speech: “I will call you later.”Reported speech: He said that he would call me later.
• Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?”Reported speech: She asked if I had finished my homework.
• Direct speech: “I love pizza.”Reported speech: They said that they loved pizza.

When do we use reported speech?

Reported speech is used to report what someone else has said, thought, or written. It is often used in situations where you want to relate what someone else has said without quoting them directly.

Reported speech can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in news reports, academic writing, and everyday conversation. Some common situations where reported speech is used include:

News reports:  Journalists often use reported speech to quote what someone said in an interview or press conference.

Business and professional communication:  In professional settings, reported speech can be used to summarize what was discussed in a meeting or to report feedback from a customer.

Conversational English:  In everyday conversations, reported speech is used to relate what someone else said. For example, “She told me that she was running late.”

Narration:  In written narratives or storytelling, reported speech can be used to convey what a character said or thought.

How to make reported speech?

1. Change the pronouns and adverbs of time and place: In reported speech, you need to change the pronouns, adverbs of time and place to reflect the new speaker or point of view. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I’m going to the store now,” she said. Reported speech: She said she was going to the store then.

In this example, the pronoun “I” is changed to “she” and the adverb “now” is changed to “then.”

2. Change the tense: In reported speech, you usually need to change the tense of the verb to reflect the change from direct to indirect speech. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I will meet you at the park tomorrow,” he said. Reported speech: He said he would meet me at the park the next day.

In this example, the present tense “will” is changed to the past tense “would.”

3. Change reporting verbs: In reported speech, you can use different reporting verbs such as “say,” “tell,” “ask,” or “inquire” depending on the context of the speech. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked if I had finished my homework.

In this example, the reporting verb “asked” is changed to “said” and “did” is changed to “had.”

Overall, when making reported speech, it’s important to pay attention to the verb tense and the changes in pronouns, adverbs, and reporting verbs to convey the original speaker’s message accurately.

How do I change the pronouns and adverbs in reported speech?

1. Changing Pronouns: In reported speech, the pronouns in the original statement must be changed to reflect the perspective of the new speaker. Generally, the first person pronouns (I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours) are changed according to the subject of the reporting verb, while the second and third person pronouns (you, your, yours, he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its, they, them, their, theirs) are changed according to the object of the reporting verb. For example:

Direct speech: “I love chocolate.” Reported speech: She said she loved chocolate.

Direct speech: “You should study harder.” Reported speech: He advised me to study harder.

Direct speech: “She is reading a book.” Reported speech: They noticed that she was reading a book.

2. Changing Adverbs: In reported speech, the adverbs and adverbial phrases that indicate time or place may need to be changed to reflect the perspective of the new speaker. For example:

Direct speech: “I’m going to the cinema tonight.” Reported speech: She said she was going to the cinema that night.

Direct speech: “He is here.” Reported speech: She said he was there.

Note that the adverb “now” usually changes to “then” or is omitted altogether in reported speech, depending on the context.

It’s important to keep in mind that the changes made to pronouns and adverbs in reported speech depend on the context and the perspective of the new speaker. With practice, you can become more comfortable with making these changes in reported speech.

How do I change the tense in reported speech?

In reported speech, the tense of the reported verb usually changes to reflect the change from direct to indirect speech. Here are some guidelines on how to change the tense in reported speech:

Present simple in direct speech changes to past simple in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I like pizza.” Reported speech: She said she liked pizza.

Present continuous in direct speech changes to past continuous in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I am studying for my exam.” Reported speech: He said he was studying for his exam.

Present perfect in direct speech changes to past perfect in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I have finished my work.” Reported speech: She said she had finished her work.

Past simple in direct speech changes to past perfect in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I visited my grandparents last weekend.” Reported speech: She said she had visited her grandparents the previous weekend.

Will in direct speech changes to would in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I will help you with your project.” Reported speech: He said he would help me with my project.

Can in direct speech changes to could in reported speech. For example: Direct speech: “I can speak French.” Reported speech: She said she could speak French.

Remember that the tense changes in reported speech depend on the tense of the verb in the direct speech, and the tense you use in reported speech should match the time frame of the new speaker’s perspective. With practice, you can become more comfortable with changing the tense in reported speech.

Do I always need to use a reporting verb in reported speech?

No, you do not always need to use a reporting verb in reported speech. However, using a reporting verb can help to clarify who is speaking and add more context to the reported speech.

In some cases, the reported speech can be introduced by phrases such as “I heard that” or “It seems that” without using a reporting verb. For example:

Direct speech: “I’m going to the cinema tonight.” Reported speech with a reporting verb: She said she was going to the cinema tonight. Reported speech without a reporting verb: It seems that she’s going to the cinema tonight.

However, it’s important to note that using a reporting verb can help to make the reported speech more formal and accurate. When using reported speech in academic writing or journalism, it’s generally recommended to use a reporting verb to make the reporting more clear and credible.

Some common reporting verbs include say, tell, explain, ask, suggest, and advise. For example:

Direct speech: “I think we should invest in renewable energy.” Reported speech with a reporting verb: She suggested that they invest in renewable energy.

Overall, while using a reporting verb is not always required, it can be helpful to make the reported speech more clear and accurate

How to use reported speech to report questions and commands?

1. Reporting Questions: When reporting questions, you need to use an introductory phrase such as “asked” or “wondered” followed by the question word (if applicable), subject, and verb. You also need to change the word order to make it a statement. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “What time is the meeting?” Reported speech: She asked what time the meeting was.

Note that the question mark is not used in reported speech.

2. Reporting Commands: When reporting commands, you need to use an introductory phrase such as “ordered” or “told” followed by the person, to + infinitive, and any additional information. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “Clean your room!” Reported speech: She ordered me to clean my room.

Note that the exclamation mark is not used in reported speech.

In both cases, the tense of the reported verb should be changed accordingly. For example, present simple changes to past simple, and future changes to conditional. Here are some examples:

Direct speech: “Will you go to the party with me?”Reported speech: She asked if I would go to the party with her. Direct speech: “Please bring me a glass of water.”Reported speech: She requested that I bring her a glass of water.

Remember that when using reported speech to report questions and commands, the introductory phrases and verb tenses are important to convey the intended meaning accurately.

How to make questions in reported speech?

To make questions in reported speech, you need to use an introductory phrase such as “asked” or “wondered” followed by the question word (if applicable), subject, and verb. You also need to change the word order to make it a statement. Here are the steps to make questions in reported speech:

Identify the reporting verb: The first step is to identify the reporting verb in the sentence. Common reporting verbs used to report questions include “asked,” “inquired,” “wondered,” and “wanted to know.”

Change the tense and pronouns: Next, you need to change the tense and pronouns in the sentence to reflect the shift from direct to reported speech. The tense of the verb is usually shifted back one tense (e.g. from present simple to past simple) in reported speech. The pronouns should also be changed as necessary to reflect the shift in perspective from the original speaker to the reporting speaker.

Use an appropriate question word: If the original question contained a question word (e.g. who, what, where, when, why, how), you should use the same question word in the reported question. If the original question did not contain a question word, you can use “if” or “whether” to introduce the reported question.

Change the word order: In reported speech, the word order of the question changes from the inverted form to a normal statement form. The subject usually comes before the verb, unless the original question started with a question word.

Here are some examples of reported questions:

Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?”Reported speech: He wanted to know if I had finished my homework. Direct speech: “Where are you going?”Reported speech: She wondered where I was going.

Remember that when making questions in reported speech, the introductory phrases and verb tenses are important to convey the intended meaning accurately.

Here you can find more examples of direct and indirect questions

What is the difference between reported speech an indirect speech?

In reported or indirect speech, you are retelling or reporting what someone said using your own words. The tense of the reported speech is usually shifted back one tense from the tense used in the original statement. For example, if someone said, “I am going to the store,” in reported speech you would say, “He/she said that he/she was going to the store.”

The main difference between reported speech and indirect speech is that reported speech usually refers to spoken language, while indirect speech can refer to both spoken and written language. Additionally, indirect speech is a broader term that includes reported speech as well as other ways of expressing what someone else has said, such as paraphrasing or summarizing.

Examples of direct speech to reported

• Direct speech: “I am hungry,” she said. Reported speech: She said she was hungry.
• Direct speech: “Can you pass the salt, please?” he asked. Reported speech: He asked her to pass the salt.
• Direct speech: “I will meet you at the cinema,” he said. Reported speech: He said he would meet her at the cinema.
• Direct speech: “I have been working on this project for hours,” she said. Reported speech: She said she had been working on the project for hours.
• Direct speech: “What time does the train leave?” he asked. Reported speech: He asked what time the train left.
• Direct speech: “I love playing the piano,” she said. Reported speech: She said she loved playing the piano.
• Direct speech: “I am going to the grocery store,” he said. Reported speech: He said he was going to the grocery store.
• Direct speech: “Did you finish your homework?” the teacher asked. Reported speech: The teacher asked if he had finished his homework.
• Direct speech: “I want to go to the beach,” she said. Reported speech: She said she wanted to go to the beach.
• Direct speech: “Do you need help with that?” he asked. Reported speech: He asked if she needed help with that.
• Direct speech: “I can’t come to the party,” he said. Reported speech: He said he couldn’t come to the party.
• Direct speech: “Please don’t leave me,” she said. Reported speech: She begged him not to leave her.
• Direct speech: “I have never been to London before,” he said. Reported speech: He said he had never been to London before.
• Direct speech: “Where did you put my phone?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked where she had put her phone.
• Direct speech: “I’m sorry for being late,” he said. Reported speech: He apologized for being late.
• Direct speech: “I need some help with this math problem,” she said. Reported speech: She said she needed some help with the math problem.
• Direct speech: “I am going to study abroad next year,” he said. Reported speech: He said he was going to study abroad the following year.
• Direct speech: “Can you give me a ride to the airport?” she asked. Reported speech: She asked him to give her a ride to the airport.
• Direct speech: “I don’t know how to fix this,” he said. Reported speech: He said he didn’t know how to fix it.
• Direct speech: “I hate it when it rains,” she said. Reported speech: She said she hated it when it rained.

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Reported Speech in English Grammar

Changing direct speech to reported speech, changing the tense (backshifting), no change of tenses, questions in reported speech, demands/requests, expressions with who/what/how + infinitive, typical changes to time and place markers, what is reported speech.

Reported speech is when we repeat what another person has said but instead of using their exact words in quotation marks (direct speech), we use subordinate clause introduced by a reporting verb like the ones below:

Often, we have to change the tense, pronouns and time markers in reported speech.

Learn the rules for writing indirect speech in English with Lingolia’s simple explanation. In the exercises, you can test your grammar skills.

When turning direct speech into reported speech, we may have to change all or some of the following:

• the pronouns
• information about time and place (see the table at the end of this page)
• the tense (backshift)

If the reporting verb is in the simple past (e.g. said, told, asked, replied … ), the tense has to be set back by one degree (see the table below). This is known as backshifting .

The verbs could, should, would, might, must, needn’t, ought to, used to normally do not change.

If the reporting verb is in the simple present (e.g. says, tells, asks, replies … ), then the tense remains unchanged.

While the tense remains unchanged, we often still have to change the verb form to match the new pronouns.

that after a reporting verb

We often omit the word that after a reporting verb, especially in spoken language and informal contexts.

When turning questions into reported speech, we follow the same rules as for declarative sentences: we change the pronouns as well as the time and place markers and backshift the tense as needed.

In addition, we also have to bear in mind the following:

• instead of that , we use a question word after the reporting verb; if there is no question word, we use whether / if instead
• questions in reported speech follow declarative sentence word order (subject + verb)
• we don’t use the auxiliary verb do/did for questions in reported speech; instead, the main verb appears in the simple past without an auxiliary verb
• put the verb directly after who or what in subject questions.

Questions in reported speech do not end in a question mark.

When turning orders, demands and requests into reported speech, we only need to change the pronouns and the time and place information.

We don’t have to pay attention to the tense – we simply use an infinitive rather than a conjugated verb.

If the imperative is negated, then we use not + infinitive .

To express what someone should or can do in reported speech, we leave out the subject and the modal verb and instead we use the construction who/what/where/how + infinitive .

say vs. tell

The words say and tell are not interchangeable.

• say = say something
• tell = say something to someone

Head over to the vocabulary section to learn more about the difference between say and tell .

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The Reported Speech

Table of Contents

What is reported speech.

is a direct speech.

Direct speech vs reported speech

Different types of reported speech

When you use reported speech, you either report:

A. Reporting statements

1- pronouns.

Do not change the tense if the introductory clause (i.e., the reporting verb) is in the present tense (e. g. He says ). Note, however, that you might have to change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular).

3. Modal verbs

4- Place, demonstratives, and time expressions

B. Reporting Questions

C. Reporting requests/commands

Reporting Verbs in English: List with Examples & Exercises

Reporting verbs are used when you want to tell someone about another conversation. We also call this reported speech or indirect speech. Two examples of reporting verbs are say and tell. There are many others and these have different meanings and grammar structures. In this study guide, we’ll look at examples of these verbs and show you how to use them correctly. We’ll also look at reporting verbs to improve your academic writing. Let’s go!

What are reporting verbs?

Reporting verbs list.

• How do I use them?

Reporting verbs in academic writing

• Test your knowledge: exercises

What you will learn: 

Reporting verbs (or referring verbs) are words used to report about (or refer to) what another person has said, written or done. These verbs are used in reported speech, which can be direct or indirect.

The first reporting verbs that English students learn are usually say and tell . For example compare i) and ii) below:

• “It’s my birthday next weekend. Please, make a birthday cake for me!” Charlotte said to her mum ( direct speech)

Charlotte told her mum to make a birthday cake for her. ( indirect speech)

There are many other reporting verbs in English. These can be particularly useful in formal and academic writing.

General reporting verbs

In this table, we have listed out some common reporting verbs that are used in everyday English. To help you understand how to correctly place them in a sentence, we have put them into approximate categories based on their most common usage. However, you should remember that some of these reporting verbs can be used in difference contexts and sometimes with different grammar structures.

Academic reporting verbs

In the table below, we’ve listed out the reporting verbs in groups based on their general meanings. We have also indicated the relative “strength” of each verb. For example, if I imply (suggest/hint, weak) that you are wrong, this is very different from if I assert (state/say, strong) that you are wrong. Remember that English is seldom “black vs. white” – there are often several degrees of meaning.

How do I use reporting verbs?

Understanding what the verbs mean is generally the easiest step. You see a new word, you learn what the word means in your own language and you learn how to pronounce it in English. In actual fact, you can only really say you’ve learnt a word when you also know how to accurately use it in a sentence.

Let’s return to our example with Charlotte’s birthday cake:

 “It’s my birthday next weekend. Make a birthday cake for me,” Charlotte said to her mum ( direct speech)

Easy, right? Now let’s consider that there are many other ways that Charlotte could say this in English. Depending on what she said and how she said it, you might need to use a different reporting verb, not just say or tell . For example:

• If you want to express the idea of “ Don’t forget ” “ Don’t forget to make a birthday cake for me.” Charlotte reminded her mum to make a cake.
• If you want to express the idea of “ No, I don’t want to do something ” (i) “ I’m not going to make my own birthday cake!” Charlotte said that she wouldn’t make her own cake.(ii) “ I’m not going to make my birthday cake. You can do it!” Charlotte refused to make a cake. (iii) “I’ve got lots of work to do this weekend and I might be too busy for other things”Charlotte hinted that she wouldn’t make the cake.  

In these sentences, there are three different verbs (say, hint, refuse). They all mean “no” but say is a neutral verb, hint is a weak verb, and refuse is much stronger .

• If you want to express the idea of “Please do this!” “ Can you make a birthday cake for me, please ?” Charlotte asked her mum to make a cake. “ Please, please, please, can you make a cake for my birthday?” Charlotte begged her mum to make a cake (or) Charlotte pleaded with her mum to make a birthday cake. Ask, plead and beg all have a similar meaning, but plead and beg are much stronger than ask.

Learning words in English is like collecting bricks to build a house. It’s not enough just to get the bricks. You also need to learn how to arrange them correctly so that your house is solid! You can’t build a good house from just a couple of bricks (e.g. say and tell). That’s why you need to learn more vocabulary – like reporting verbs. We don’t want the Big Bad Wolf to blow your house down!

Let’s take a look at HOW to use reporting verbs in real sentences. Below, we have divided the verbs into their different grammar structures so they are easier for you to learn.

1. Reporting verb + infinitive

Verbs: Refuse, decide, promise, demand, agree, threaten, plead with Examples:

• Charlotte refused to make a cake. ( NOT : Charlotte refused making a cake)
• My boss decided to give me a promotion.
• The teacher demanded to know who was responsible for the mess.
• We agreed to keep quiet and not tell anyone the news. (or) We agreed that we would keep quiet.
• We threatened to go to the police.
• They pleaded with the man to release the hostage.

2. Reporting verb + somebody + (not) infinitive

Verbs : remind, ask, beg, warn , order, encourage, persuade, advise, urge, agree Examples :

• Charlotte reminded her mum to make a cake.
• They asked me to cook
• He begged his friend not to tell
• They warned me not to go there by myself.
• The government has ordered everybody to stay at home.
• Her parents always encourage her to work
• They persuaded me to stay for another drink.
• The doctor advised me to stop
• Our new neighbours have invited us to have dinner with them tomorrow.

3. Reporting verb + verb +ing

Verbs: Deny, suggest, recommend, report, propose, admit

These verbs can be used with +ing or with that , but it’s generally better to be concise and use the +ing verb. Short and sweet! Examples :

• They denied taking the last biscuit. (short) (or) They denied that they had taken the last biscuit. (long)
• She admitted stealing the money. (or) She admitted that she had stolen the money. / She admitted to me that she had stolen the money.
• She suggested taking a taxi because it would be quicker. (or) She suggested that we took a taxi.
• I recommend going in the morning when the weather isn’t so hot. (or) I recommend ( that) we go in the morning.
• I propose cancelling the next meeting until we have made a decision. (or) I propose that we cancel the next meeting.

4. Reporting verb + preposition + verb + ing

Verbs: Blame smbd for, accuse smbd of, insist on, apologise for, complain about, confess to, forbid smbd from, agree to, think about Examples :

• They blamed me for missing the train.
• She accused her friend of
• He apologised for breaking the window.
• She is thinking about moving to France.
• He insisted on paying for everybody. / He insisted that he paid for everybody.
• They complained about not having a small hotel room. / They complained that they didn’t have a bigger room.

The reporting verbs we use in academic writing also follow specific grammatical patterns. Again, it is important to know whether the verb needs +ing, the infinitive , or that after it.

5. Academic reporting verb + that

Verbs: Point out, find, observe , state, agree, believe, assert, claim, contend, explain, guess, assert, imply, reason, prove, note, report, reveal.

• Bosley (2017) found that elderly patients experience fewer symptoms of pain when they have regular access to some form of nature. (or) Bosley (2017) found a link between symptoms and access to nature. ( find smth )
• Martinez (2008) and Zhang (2009) agree that … (or) Martinez (2008) and Zhang (2009) agree with this theory . ( agree with + smth/smbd )
• Persson (2003) claims that a community is impossible without a shared aim.
• Research conducted by Bradwell in 2017 revealed that there was a considerable difference in the amount of time UK and US teenagers spent with their families. (or) Research conducted by Bradwell in 2017 revealed a considerable difference in the amount of time UK and US teenagers spent with their families.

6. Academic reporting verb + smth

Verbs: Develop, study, focus on, acknowledge, doubt, contribute to, echo, subscribe to, question, disapprove of, dispute, reject, discuss, investigate, illustrate, present, outline, put forward, consider, support, emphasise, challenge, analyse, discard, identify, explore, propose, highlight, stress. Examples:

• Wang (2016) supports the idea that there is a significant link between play and child development. NOT : Wang (2016) supports that there is a significant link between play and child development.  
• Roberts (2018) identifies three possible factors in early diagnosis.
• Solara (2015) questions the importance of this approach. (or) Solara (2015)  questions whether this approach is important.
• Barboza (2018) rejects the three factors presented by Solara.
• Miller (2016) discusses this theory in detail. NOT : Miller (2016) discusses about this theory in detail

In academic writing, reporting verbs are used when you want to refer to what another person has said. You do this to strengthen your own argument and to show that other academics think the same as you.

It would be easy to just learn the verb “to state”, and use this all the time. However, using a range of other verbs can allow you to express your opinion about the author’s idea more precisely. For example, “to state” is quite neutral , but “to claim” implies that there is no proof behind what the author is saying.

Past or present tense?

You can use both the past and the present tense in academic writing.

If you are talking about recent research, use the present. This makes a connection between past research and now, which adds weight to your argument.

• Wang (2016) support s the idea that there is a significant link between play and child development. (present simple)

If you are talking about how research was conducted, you will need to use the past simple (either active or passive voice).

• Wang (2016) examin ed fifty groups of siblings. (past simple) The siblings were asked the following questions. (passive voice)

Avoid these common mistakes!

• It’s possible to express someone’s opinion using “According to…”. This does not need a reporting verb. “According to” does the job of a reporting verb already. e.g. “According to Covey (2017)…” (Not: “ According to Covey (2017) states that… ”)
• A source written by one author will need a singular verb with “-s” at the end e.g. “Liu (2016) suggest s that…” (Not: “ Liu (2016) suggest that… ”)
• A source written by more than one author will need a plural verb. e.g. “Liu and Helzer (2016) suggest that…” (Not: “ Liu and Helzer (2016) suggests that… ”)
• If you use “et al.” to indicate multiple authors, this will also require a plural verb as it means “they”. e.g. “Rosenberg et al. (2018) argue that…” (Not: “ Rosenberg et al. (2018) argues that…” )

Reporting verbs: Exercises

• Why didn’t you _____________ me that you don’t eat meat? a) say.  b) tell
• I didn’t ____________ anything to you, because I was too worried. a) tell.    b) say
• We __________ them to meet us in the main square at half past eleven. a) told.  b) said
• You should ________ her that you don’t want to go on holiday. a) say.  b) tell
• Are you going to ___________ anything to Sue about your good news? a) say.  b) tell
• They have ________ that we will need to bring our own bed linen and towels. a) told.    b) said

Which of these sentences are right and which are wrong? Choose correct or incorrect.

• She suggested to study together for the exam. a . Correct    b. Incorrect
• I said you not to do that. a. Correct    b. Incorrect
• I didn’t tell anyone anything. a . Correct.  b . Incorrect
• We have decided live in the countryside. a. Correct    b. Incorrect
• My grandmother always encouraged to learn to cook. a. Correct    b. Incorrect

Choose the correct verb to complete the sentences.

• She invited me ________ to her house for a drink after work. a. go    b. going  c. to go
• She asked me _________ some money. a. lending    b. to lend    c . to lend her
• They persuaded me _________ to London with them. a. go    b. to go    c. of going
• He advised _______ more exercise. a. I do    b. me to do    c. me doing
• He begged me not _______ anybody about the accident. a. of telling    b. tell    c. to tell
• He reminded ________ to renew the car insurance. a . to me    b. me    c. of me
• She refused _______ the washing-up again! a. me to do    b. to do.  c. doing
• She apologised _________ me an angry text message. a. of sending. b. for sending    c. sending
• He admitted ________ the red wine on the sofa. a. spilling    b. to spill    c. spill of
• He suggested _________ on a cycling holiday next year. a. go    b . going c. we going
• He denied _________ my car. a. taking    b . to take    c. taking of
• She decided __________ the risotto. a. having.  b. to have    c. to having

Exercise 1:

Exercise 2:

• b. Incorrect (She suggested studying together for the exam.)
• b. Incorrect (I told you not to do that.)
• b. Incorrect (We have decided to live in the countryside.)
• b. Incorrect (My grandmother always encouraged me to learn to cook.)

Exercise 3:

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Reported Speech

If we want to say what somebody has said, we basically have two options:

• We can use the person's exact words - in quotation marks "..." if we are writing ( direct speech ).
• We can change the person's words into our own words ( reported speech ).

In this lesson we learn about reported speech , the structure that we use when we report what another person has said, and reported speech rules.

Now we will look at:

• Reported Statements
• Time and Place
• Reported Questions
• Reported Requests
• Reported Orders And then you can check your understanding of reported speech with...
• Reported Speech Quiz

Reported speech is called "indirect speech" by some people. Other people regard reported speech simply as one form of indirect speech. Other forms are, for example:

• questions-within-questions: Can you tell me if they are expensive?
• mental processes: He believes that politics is a dirty game.

Reported speech

Tense changes in reported speech

Indirect speech (reported speech) focuses more on the content of what someone said rather than their exact words.  In indirect speech, the structure of the reported clause depends on whether the speaker is reporting a statement, a question or a command.

Normally, the tense in reported speech is one tense back in time from the tense in direct speech: She said, "I  am  tired." = She said that she  was  tired.

You do not need to change the tense if the reporting verb is in the present, or if the original statement was about something that is still true (but this is only for things which are general facts, and even then usually we like to change the tense) , e.g.

• He says  he has missed  the train but  he'll catch  the next one.
• We explained that  it is  very difficult to find our house.
• Direct speech: The sky is blue.
• Reported speech: She said (that) the sky  is/was  blue.

These modal verbs do not change in reported speech:  might, could, would, should, ought to :

• We explained, "It  could  be difficult to find our house." = We explained that it  could  be difficult to find our house.
• She said, "I  might  bring a friend to the party." = She said that she  might  bring a friend to the party.

Course Curriculum

• Changing time and place in reported speech 20 mins
• Direct and indirect speech 15 mins
• Tense changes in reported speech 20 mins
• Reported questions 20 mins
• Reporting verbs 20 mins
• Reporting orders and requests 15 mins
• Reporting hopes, intentions and promises 20 mins

Reporting Verbs in English Grammar

In this reference, you will learn about reporting verbs in English, how they are used in  indirect speech , important grammar rules, and helpful examples. You will find sections that explain what reporting verbs are, a comprehensive list of reporting verbs with examples, and illustrative images to support your learning.

What is a Reporting Verb?

Direct speech  is where the speaker gives first-hand information, while indirect speech reports what someone else said. For example, “I am watching TV” is direct speech, and “She said that she was watching TV” is indirect speech.

We use  reported speech  to tell what another person said without using their exact words, adapting them to the new circumstances.

A reported speech sentence has two parts:

• Introductory Clause + Indirect Clause

Example:  He said that they were classmates.  (Introductory clause:  He said that , Indirect clause:  They were classmates. )

In the introductory clause, a  reporting verb  is needed. There are about 248 verbs to introduce reported speech in English.

List of Reporting Verbs (with Examples)

Tell, say & ask.

The most common verbs to introduce reported speech are  Tell ,  Say , and  Ask . Important aspects of these verbs include:

• Can be followed by THAT but it can be omitted.
• Needs an indirect object.

Example:  He told me that she was his wife.

• Can have an indirect object introduced by the particle “to.”
• He said that Sarah was working.  (no indirect object)
• He said to me that Sarah was working.  (with indirect object)
• Can have an indirect object or not.
• Can be used to  report questions .

Example:  She asked (me) where I lived.

• Can be used to report imperatives or requests.

Example:  She asked (me) to  babysit  for her on Friday.

Verb + that + Clause

Example:  She complained that I was always late.

Example:  She denied that she had flown in an aeroplane.

Example:  He explained that it was an easy recipe to follow.

Exclaim/Remark

Example:  She exclaimed/remarked that he was a beautiful baby.

Example:  She promised that she would call me.

Example:  He boasted that he was a brilliant dentist.

Inform  somebody

Example:  He informed me that I would be called for an interview.

Example:  He claimed that he knew the answer.

Example:  He agreed that it was a beautiful hat.

Example:  He suggested that I (should) take the other road.

Verb + to + Infinitive

Example:  He agreed to cook for me.

Example:  He offered to carry her baby.

Example:  She refused to buy me a car.

Example:  He demanded to be told the truth.

Example:  He threatened to punish me if I didn’t behave myself.

Example:  He promised to marry her when he returned.

Example:  He claimed to have heard her say that.

Verb + Indirect Object + to + Infinitive

Example:  He advised me to take a coat.

Example:  He allowed me to park over there.

Example:  She begged me to call the police.

Example:  He commanded them to drop their weapons.

Example:  He encouraged me to phone her.

Example:  My doctor forbade me to eat sweets.

Example:  She invited me to go to his house.

Example:  He wanted me to drink a cup of tea.

Example:  He instructed me to insert coin.

Example:  My parents permitted me to travel with my friends.

Example:  He urged me to finish reading the book.

Example:  She ordered me to get out of bed.

Example:  She reminded me to take out the garbage.

Example:  She warned me not to go near the oven.

Verb + “ing” Form

Example:  He admitted (to) stealing/having stolen her money.

Accuse somebody of

Example:  She accused me of breaking the cup.

Apologize for

Example:  He apologized for shouting/having shouted at me.

Boast about/of

Example:  He boasted of/about being the cleverest of all.

Complain to somebody of

Example:  She complained to me of having a toothache.

Example:  He denied murdering/having murdered his wife.

Example:  She insisted on me/my wearing warm clothes.

Example:  She suggested going to the theatre.

Explain to somebody

Example:  He explained to me how to make polite conversation.

Wonder where/what/why/how + clause

When the subject of the reporting verb is not the same as the subject in the  reported question .

• She wondered how he could reach the top.
• He wondered where Joan was.
• He wondered why she was crying.

‘Wonder + whether + to-inf or clause’ or ‘Wonder where/what/how + to-inf or clause’

When the subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject of the verb.

• He wondered whether to buy that blender.
• He wondered where he had gone wrong in his calculations.
• He wondered what he should wear.
• He wondered how to get to the post office.

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Reporting Verbs: List & Examples

Download free lesson PDF

Advanced Grammar Course

In previous lessons, you’ve learned how to do reported speech and reported questions/commands  – now here are some verbs you can use to do the reporting! Pay special attention to the grammatical structure of how each one is used, and make sure to avoid the common errors.

Common Reporting Verbs

Say + (that).

Using the word “that” is optional after “say”:

• Bob  said he was happy.
• Bob  said that he was happy.

Avoid this common error: Bob said me that he was happy.

tell + someone + (that)

After the word “tell,” we must always have a person:

• Jane  told me  she had worked late.
• Jane  told me that  she had worked late.

tell + someone + (not) + to

We use “tell someone to” for giving an order/command:

• My mom  told me to  clean my room.
• My dad  told me not to  play with fire.

ask + someone + if/whether ask + someone + question word

We use “ask someone if/whether” for yes/no questions:

• They  asked the teacher if there was any homework.
• They  asked the teacher whether  there was any homework.

For all other questions, use this structure:

• He  asked me  what  time it was.
• She  asked us how  to get to the train station.
• They  asked the police officer why  the road was closed.

Avoid this common error: They  asked to the police officer… 

ask + someone + (not) + to

We use “ask someone to” for requesting action from the other person:

• She  asked me to  close the door.
• She  asked me not to  leave the door open.

Reporting Verbs for Advice

Recommend + ing / recommend + that.

• I  recommend staying  in this hotel.
• I  recommend that you stay  in this hotel.

suggest + ING / suggest + that

• He suggested taking an early train.
• He suggested that I take an early train.

Avoid this common error: He suggested me to take an early train.

warn + someone + about warn + someone + not + to

We “warn” people about potentially dangerous things:

• They  warned us  about  the high prices in San Francisco.
• They  warned us not to  move to San Francisco.

advise + someone + (not) + to

We use the verb “advise” for giving advice. “Advise” is pronounced with a Z sound, and “advice” is pronouned with an S sound.

• She  advised me to  start the assignment early.
• She  advised me not to  wait until the last minute.

encourage + someone + to

We usually use the word “encourage” for suggesting positive things.

• My parents  encouraged me to  take swimming lessons.

Reporting Verbs for Arguments & Strong Feelings

Admit + that.

If you “admit” something, it means you acknowledge a mistake or an unpleasant fact.

• He  admitted that  he’d stolen the money.

argue + that / argue + about

The word “argue” can mean to try to persuade other people that your opinion is correct – as in the first example – or it can mean to have an angry verbal conflict – as in the second example.

• The lawyer  argued that  his client didn’t know he was breaking the law.
• My parents are  arguing about  where to spend our family vacation.

agree + that

• The boss  agreed that  we should invest more in employee training.

Avoid this common error:  I’m agree.  The correct sentence is “I agree” (more common) or “I’m in agreement” (more formal).

claim + (that)

We use the verb “claim” to describe things we state are true… but other people might doubt that we are telling the truth.

• She  claimed that  she’d locked the door.
• She  claimed  she’d locked the door.

complain + that / complain + about

The verb “complain” means to say something negative because you are annoyed/disappointed about it.

• We  complained that  the hotel room was too hot.
• We  complained about  the temperature in the hotel room.

deny + that

If you “deny” something, it means you say it is NOT true.

• He  denied that  he was responsible.

insist + that / insist + on

The verb “insist” means to strongly say something is true, or strongly say you will do something, despite other people trying to contradict you.

• I  insisted that  I was innocent.
• She  insisted on  paying for my drink.

swear + that / swear + to

The verb “swear” means to say something with extremely strong certainty.

• He  swore that  he’d left his wallet on the table.
• He  swore to  get revenge.

threaten + to

The verb “threaten” means to say you will do something bad to another person.

• The manager  threatened to  fire me.

Reporting verbs for statements:

Explain + that explain + noun + to someone explain + question word.

• The receptionist  explained that  the doctor was out to lunch.
• Can you  explain this math problem  to me?
• He  explained how  he’d built his own house.

Avoid this common error: She explained me … / I explained him …  – we never have a person immediately after the verb “explain.”

state + that

• The politician  stated that  he was in favor of immigration.

reply + that

• When I asked her about the project, she  replied that  she didn’t know anything.

Avoid this common error: She replied me that…  – we never have a person immediately after the verb “reply”

mention + that

The verb “mention” means to say something quickly, or to say something that is not so important to the main topic.

• He  mentioned that  he’d put gas in the car.

announce + that

• The teacher  announced that  everyone had passed the test.

Reporting verbs for giving orders:

Command + someone + to.

• The officer  commanded the soldier  to clean the room.

demand + that demand + noun

• My sister  demanded that  I give her an answer.
• My sister  demanded an answer.

forbid + someone + to

The verb “forbid” means to prohibit someone from doing something.

• We  forbade our kids to  use the computer without supervision.

Other reporting verbs:

Boast + that.

The verb “boast” means to arrogantly say good things about yourself or your accomplishments.

• He  boasted that  he always got the best grades in the class.

propose + that

The verb “propose” can be used for making suggestions. It is a little more formal.

• She  proposed that  we take a ten-minute break.

reveal + that

When we “reveal” something, we say something that was previously a secret, or information that is sensitive or not very well-known.

• In the interview, he  revealed that  he struggled with self-esteem.

guarantee + that

If you “guarantee” that something is the case, it means you promise that it is true.

• We  guarantee that  our products are made from high-quality materials.

promise + (that) / promise + to

• You  promised that  you’d help me.
• You  promised  you’d help me.
• You  promised to  help me.

beg + someone + to/for

• I’m  begging you to  reconsider.
• I’m  begging you for  another chance.

remind + someone + to/that

• She  reminded me to  go to the bank.
• She  reminded me that  the bank is closed on Sundays.

Avoid this common error: She  remembered  me to go…

Learn more: State verbs and action verbs

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• Reported Speech
• Grammar Explanations

Table of Contents

Direct speech and reported speech

Reported speech (also called indirect speech) gives the meaning of what someone said, not the exact words, while direct speech gives the exact words of the speaker, enclosed in quotation marks (or inverted commas.

With reported speech, we do not use quotation marks.

We use that  to connect the introduction with the reported words. Using the connecting word that  is optional.

• Direct: I am going to help you,” he said.
• Reported: He said (that) he was going to help us.

Introductory verbs

There are certain verbs that we use to introduce reported speech. Here are the most common of them. (More introductory verbs with examples are given below.)

1. say / said

• Direct: “I need a break,” she said.
• Reported: She said (that) she needed a break.

2. tell / told

• Direct: “I need a break,” she said to me.
• Reported: She told me (that) she needed a break.

3. ask / asked

• Direct: “Are you ready?” she asked  me.
• Reported: She asked me if I was ready.

Note: Unlike told and asked , with the verb said ,  we do not mention the person to whom the words were said.

Change of verb tenses 

Because speech is often reported after it was said, verb tenses in the original statements change.

Here is a summary of tense changes with examples

When not to change verb tenses?

If the speech is reported immediately , the tense does not change. 

• Direct: “It is hot these days,” she said.
• Reported: She said it is hot these days.

If the introductory verb used is in the present simple, future simple or present perfect , we do not change verb tense.

• Direct: “This information is confidential.”
• Reported: She says this information is confidential.
• Reported: She has said this information is confidential.
• Reported: She will say this information is confidential.

In addition, tense does not change when we talk about general truths, permanent states, and conditions .

• Direct: He said, “Earth travels around the sun. ” 
• Reported: He said Earth travels around the sun.

We do not change verb tense when we report wishes, preferences, and unreal past.

• Direct: He said, “I wish I could fly. ” 
• Reported: He said he wishes he could fly.

⇔  Try this quiz on reporting statements.

How to report imperatives

To report imperative verbs (commands, requests, suggestions), we use an infinitive verb and we use tell / told or ask / asked , but not say / said. 

Other verbs that can be used to report imperatives are: a dvise, order, beg, etc.

• Direct: “ Open the door.” 
• Reported: He told me to open the door.
• Direct: “Will you pass the salt, please?” 
• Reported: He asked me to pass the salt.
• Direct: “ Forgive my son, please.” 
• Reported: He begged me to forgive his son.

To report a negative imperative, we use not to infinitive .

• Direct: “ Don’t open this document.” 
• Reported: He ordered them not to open that document.

With the verb suggest, we use that-clause or verb-ing.

• Direct: “I suggest that you go to the doctor.” 
• Reported: He suggested that I (should) go to the doctor.
• Direct: “I suggest that you take a home remedy.” 
• Reported: He suggested taking a home remedy.

⇔  Take a quiz on how to report imperatives.

How to report questions

When we report questions we change the helping verb-subject order to subject-helping verb/verb .

We follow the same rules of tense changes.

Yes/No questions

We use if or whether to connect the introduction with reported words.

• Direct: “ Are you tired?” 
• Reported: He asked me if I was tired.
• Direct: “ Does she   eat tuna fish?” 
• Reported: He asked me if she ate tuna fish.
• Direct: “ Did they arrive ?” 
• Reported: He asked me if they had arrived .
• Direct: “ Has she resigned ?” 
• Reported: He asked me whether she had resigned or not.

Wh-questions

• Direct: “What are you doing ?” 
• Reported: He wanted to know what I was doing .
• Direct: “When will they arrive ?” 
• Reported: He wanted to know when they would arrive.
• Direct: “What has she eaten ?” 
• Reported: He wanted to know what she had eaten.
• Direct: “When do they wake up ?” 
• Reported: He wanted to know when they woke up .
• Direct: “Why did they leave early?” 
• Reported: He wanted to know why they had left early.

⇔  Take a quiz on how to report questions.

Change of time expressions

Because the time of reported speech is later than that of direct speech, time reference will be different. As a result, time expressions in reported speech change according to the context.

This is a table of the most common time expressions and how they change.

Special introductory verbs

Sometimes we use verbs other than say , tell , ask to introduce reported speech. We need to choose an appropriate reporting verb  because each verb expresses how the reporting person interprets the speech.  Here are some of these verbs with examples.

advise somebody to infinitive

• “ You should visit the doctor.”
• She advised me to visit a doctor.

accuse somebody of verb-ing

• “ You spoiled my plan.”
• She accused me of spoiling her plan.

admit verb-ing

• “ I broke the screen.”
• She admitted breaking the screen.

apologize for + verb-ing

• “ I apologize for breaking the screen.”
• She apologized for breaking the screen.
• “ I was the one who developed the app.”
• She boasted that she had developed the app.
• “ I fixed the errors in the program.”
• She claimed that she had fixed the errors in the program.

complain that

• “ The place is not clean.”
• She complained that the place was not clean.

demand that

• “Pull down the curtains immediately.”
• She demanded that I should pull down the curtains immediately.

deny verb-ing

• “ I didn’t use your laptop.”
• She denied using (or having used) my laptop.

encourage somebody to infinitive

• “ You should read more about the topic.”
• She encouraged me to read more about the topic.

inform somebody that

• “ The parental meeting will be tomorrow.”
• She informed us that the parental meeting would be the following day.

insist that

• “ You have to pay immediately.”
• She insisted that I had to pay immediately.

refuse to infinitive

• “ I won’t let you use my car.”
• She refused to lend me her car.

remind somebody to

• “ Remember to switch off the lights.”
• She reminded me to switch off the lights.
• “ Our company ranking has improved.”
• The manager stated that the company ranking had improved.

threaten to infinitive

• “ If you keep annoying me, I will tell the teacher.”
• She threatened to tell the teacher if he kept annoying her.

suggest verb-ing

• “ Why don’t you try the new software?”
• She suggested trying the new software.

warn somebody to infinitive

• “ Don’t throw the ball.”
• She warned him not to throw the ball.

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• English Grammar
• Reported Speech

Reported Speech - Definition, Rules and Usage with Examples

Reported speech or indirect speech is the form of speech used to convey what was said by someone at some point of time. This article will help you with all that you need to know about reported speech, its meaning, definition, how and when to use them along with examples. Furthermore, try out the practice questions given to check how far you have understood the topic.

Table of Contents

Definition of reported speech, rules to be followed when using reported speech, table 1 – change of pronouns, table 2 – change of adverbs of place and adverbs of time, table 3 – change of tense, table 4 – change of modal verbs, tips to practise reported speech, examples of reported speech, check your understanding of reported speech, frequently asked questions on reported speech in english, what is reported speech.

Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by oneself or someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the third person view of what someone has said. In this form of speech, you need not use quotation marks as you are not quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message.

Now, take a look at the following dictionary definitions for a clearer idea of what it is.

Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.” The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as “speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as “the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as “the words that you use to report what someone else has said.”

Reported speech is a little different from direct speech . As it has been discussed already, reported speech is used to tell what someone said and does not use the exact words of the speaker. Take a look at the following rules so that you can make use of reported speech effectively.

• The first thing you have to keep in mind is that you need not use any quotation marks as you are not using the exact words of the speaker.
• You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech.

• You can use verbs like said, asked, requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed, screamed, told, etc. If you are just reporting a declarative sentence , you can use verbs like told, said, etc. followed by ‘that’ and end the sentence with a full stop . When you are reporting interrogative sentences, you can use the verbs – enquired, inquired, asked, etc. and remove the question mark . In case you are reporting imperative sentences , you can use verbs like requested, commanded, pleaded, ordered, etc. If you are reporting exclamatory sentences , you can use the verb exclaimed and remove the exclamation mark . Remember that the structure of the sentences also changes accordingly.
• Furthermore, keep in mind that the sentence structure , tense , pronouns , modal verbs , some specific adverbs of place and adverbs of time change when a sentence is transformed into indirect/reported speech.

Transforming Direct Speech into Reported Speech

As discussed earlier, when transforming a sentence from direct speech into reported speech, you will have to change the pronouns, tense and adverbs of time and place used by the speaker. Let us look at the following tables to see how they work.

Here are some tips you can follow to become a pro in using reported speech.

• Select a play, a drama or a short story with dialogues and try transforming the sentences in direct speech into reported speech.
• Write about an incident or speak about a day in your life using reported speech.
• Develop a story by following prompts or on your own using reported speech.

Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written. Check them out.

• Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in Funny Girl.
• Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.
• Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.
• The judges announced that the Warblers were the winners of the annual acapella competition.
• Binsha assured that she would reach Bangalore by 8 p.m.
• Kumar said that he had gone to the doctor the previous day.
• Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.
• Jibin told me that he would help me out after lunch.
• The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.
• Rahul said that he was drawing a caricature.

Transform the following sentences into reported speech by making the necessary changes.

1. Rachel said, “I have an interview tomorrow.”

2. Mahesh said, “What is he doing?”

3. Sherly said, “My daughter is playing the lead role in the skit.”

4. Dinesh said, “It is a wonderful movie!”

5. Suresh said, “My son is getting married next month.”

6. Preetha said, “Can you please help me with the invitations?”

7. Anna said, “I look forward to meeting you.”

8. The teacher said, “Make sure you complete the homework before tomorrow.”

9. Sylvester said, “I am not going to cry anymore.”

10. Jade said, “My sister is moving to Los Angeles.”

Now, find out if you have answered all of them correctly.

1. Rachel said that she had an interview the next day.

2. Mahesh asked what he was doing.

3. Sherly said that her daughter was playing the lead role in the skit.

4. Dinesh exclaimed that it was a wonderful movie.

5. Suresh said that his son was getting married the following month.

6. Preetha asked if I could help her with the invitations.

7. Anna said that she looked forward to meeting me.

8. The teacher told us to make sure we completed the homework before the next day.

9. Sylvester said that he was not going to cry anymore.

10. Jade said that his sister was moving to Los Angeles.

What is reported speech?

What is the definition of reported speech.

Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.” The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as “speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as “the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as “the words that you use to report what someone else has said.”

What is the formula of reported speech?

You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech. Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)

Give some examples of reported speech.

Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written.

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Reporting Verbs – Usage, List of Examples

| Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Do you recall telling a friend what someone else said? You probably used a reporting verb in your story. What is a reporting verb? Good question and I’ve got the answer for you!

I use reporting verbs like say, tell, and state when talking about what other people have said.

But reporting verbs can be challenging because of the subtle shades of meaning and structure of sentences. I’ll teach you the common usage of reporting verbs and the meaning of strong, neutral, and weak reporting verbs.

What Are Reporting Verbs?

A reporting verb in academic writing is used to talk about or report someone else’s actions, works, or activities. Its usage is essential when you need to comment on someone’s research, agree or disagree with their arguments, and evaluate their claims.

Consider this example to see how these verbs are used.

• Direct speech: The students said, “We want Science!”
• Indirect speech: The students said they wanted Science.

In the second sentence, the reporting verb said is used to report that the students want Science.

Here’s another example of how to report indirect questions.

• Direct speech: “Have you read my email?”
• Indirect speech: She asked me If I had read her email.

The reporting verb used is asked because the direct speech uses real questions.

Other examples of reporting verbs include describe, show, reveal, note, indicate, report, and assume. Some informal verbs like come up with and guess are not recommended in formal writing.

Usage of Reporting Verbs

Reporting verbs follow specific patterns for their sentence structure. For instance, say uses the basic verb pattern:

• Say + ( that ) + clause

Here are some examples of usage of the reporting verb say.

• Mia said she had already eaten.
• Lily said she had known her before.

Another common reporting verb is tell. The correct verb form is:

• Tell + someone + ( that ) + clause

Here’s an example of the grammar usage of tell.

• I told Rain to visit me.

Some reporting verbs like agree and offer only use the verb infinitive instead of the verb object infinitive pattern. For example:

• I offered to give him a ride.

Accuse and congratulate follow the verb object preposition gerund pattern. For example:

• They accused the man of stealing the bread.

This example shows a change in the original verb form.

• Direct speech: “I will come to the event.”
• Indirect speech: He said he would come to the event.

The reported speech changes to the use of would. A simple future tense verb in direct speech uses this modal verb for indirect speech.

Remember to use a singular verb with an -s ending if the subject is singular and a plural verb if the subject is plural. For example:

• She suggests that dinner parties should be hosted every Friday.
• They suggest that dinner parties should be hosted every Friday.

What Are the Most Common Reporting Verbs?

There is a wide range of reporting verbs used for different purposes. Below is a reporting verb list used for suggestions.

• Hypothesize

This list shows examples of reporting verbsthat show persuasion.

Here’s a list of academic reporting verbs.

• Casts doubt on

Strength of Reporting Verbs

Some verbs are stronger in their functions, while others are weaker. Let’s look at how strong and weak reporting verbs differ.

• The author assumes that verb patterns vary according to the reporting verb.
• The author insists that verb patterns vary according to the reporting verb.

Both assume and insist have similar definitions. But there are differences in meaning in terms of strength. The verb assume is weaker compared to insist. However, English is not black or white but a spectrum showing degrees of meaning.

Strong Reporting Verbs

Use strong reporting verbs for stronger arguments and claims. Here are some strong reporting verb examples.

• Believe that

Here are some examples of strong reporting verbs in sentences.

• She asserted that the speech lesson plan was not effective.
• The judge maintained that his role would be to oversee the entire project.

Neutral Reporting Verbs

A neutral reporting verb says what another person describes, refers to, or discusses. The table below lists some neutral reporting verbs.

• Demonstrate

Here are some sentences that use neutral reporting verbs.

• The teacher mentioned that she had been working on the speech quiz and speech worksheet.
• Eric stated that he could speak perfect Spanish.

Weak Reporting Verbs

Weak reporting verbs suggest much weaker functions. Check out this weak verbs list.

Here are sentence examples that use weak reporting verbs.

• Linda guessed that subject-verb agreement is a common student error.
• She hoped she could play the piano when she was in high school.

Reporting Words Summary

The grammar of reporting verbs is easier than you think. Use this type of verb when reporting or discussing what another person said.

I hope my guide helped you understand the difference in meaning between strong and weak reporting verbs and their correct sentence structure. Hopefully, it also allowed you to construct any normal sentence with this type of verb.

Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

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Direct and Indirect Speech: Useful Rules and Examples

Are you having trouble understanding the difference between direct and indirect speech? Direct speech is when you quote someone’s exact words, while indirect speech is when you report what someone said without using their exact words. This can be a tricky concept to grasp, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to use both forms of speech with ease.

Direct and Indirect Speech

When someone speaks, we can report what they said in two ways: direct speech and indirect speech. Direct speech is when we quote the exact words that were spoken, while indirect speech is when we report what was said without using the speaker’s exact words. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I love pizza,” said John. Indirect speech: John said that he loved pizza.

Using direct speech can make your writing more engaging and can help to convey the speaker’s tone and emotion. However, indirect speech can be useful when you want to summarize what someone said or when you don’t have the exact words that were spoken.

To change direct speech to indirect speech, you need to follow some rules. Firstly, you need to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech to match the tense of the reporting verb. Secondly, you need to change the pronouns and adverbs in the reported speech to match the new speaker. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “I will go to the park,” said Sarah. Indirect speech: Sarah said that she would go to the park.

It’s important to note that when you use indirect speech, you need to use reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” or “asked” to indicate who is speaking. Here’s an example:

Direct speech: “What time is it?” asked Tom. Indirect speech: Tom asked what time it was.

In summary, understanding direct and indirect speech is crucial for effective communication and writing. Direct speech can be used to convey the speaker’s tone and emotion, while indirect speech can be useful when summarizing what someone said. By following the rules for changing direct speech to indirect speech, you can accurately report what was said while maintaining clarity and readability in your writing.

Differences between Direct and Indirect Speech

When it comes to reporting speech, there are two ways to go about it: direct and indirect speech. Direct speech is when you report someone’s exact words, while indirect speech is when you report what someone said without using their exact words. Here are some of the key differences between direct and indirect speech:

Change of Pronouns

In direct speech, the pronouns used are those of the original speaker. However, in indirect speech, the pronouns have to be changed to reflect the perspective of the reporter. For example:

• Direct speech: “I am going to the store,” said John.
• Indirect speech: John said he was going to the store.

In the above example, the pronoun “I” changes to “he” in indirect speech.

Change of Tenses

Another major difference between direct and indirect speech is the change of tenses. In direct speech, the verb tense used is the same as that used by the original speaker. However, in indirect speech, the verb tense may change depending on the context. For example:

• Direct speech: “I am studying for my exams,” said Sarah.
• Indirect speech: Sarah said she was studying for her exams.

In the above example, the present continuous tense “am studying” changes to the past continuous tense “was studying” in indirect speech.

Change of Time and Place References

When reporting indirect speech, the time and place references may also change. For example:

• Direct speech: “I will meet you at the park tomorrow,” said Tom.
• Indirect speech: Tom said he would meet you at the park the next day.

In the above example, “tomorrow” changes to “the next day” in indirect speech.

Overall, it is important to understand the differences between direct and indirect speech to report speech accurately and effectively. By following the rules of direct and indirect speech, you can convey the intended message of the original speaker.

Converting Direct Speech Into Indirect Speech

When you need to report what someone said in your own words, you can use indirect speech. To convert direct speech into indirect speech, you need to follow a few rules.

Step 1: Remove the Quotation Marks

The first step is to remove the quotation marks that enclose the relayed text. This is because indirect speech does not use the exact words of the speaker.

Step 2: Use a Reporting Verb and a Linker

To indicate that you are reporting what someone said, you need to use a reporting verb such as “said,” “asked,” “told,” or “exclaimed.” You also need to use a linker such as “that” or “whether” to connect the reporting verb to the reported speech.

For example:

• Direct speech: “I love ice cream,” said Mary.
• Indirect speech: Mary said that she loved ice cream.

Step 3: Change the Tense of the Verb

When you use indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech to match the tense of the reporting verb.

• Indirect speech: John said that he was going to the store.

Step 4: Change the Pronouns

You also need to change the pronouns in the reported speech to match the subject of the reporting verb.

• Direct speech: “Are you busy now?” Tina asked me.
• Indirect speech: Tina asked whether I was busy then.

By following these rules, you can convert direct speech into indirect speech and report what someone said in your own words.

Converting Indirect Speech Into Direct Speech

Converting indirect speech into direct speech involves changing the reported speech to its original form as spoken by the speaker. Here are the steps to follow when converting indirect speech into direct speech:

• Identify the reporting verb: The first step is to identify the reporting verb used in the indirect speech. This will help you determine the tense of the direct speech.
• Change the pronouns: The next step is to change the pronouns in the indirect speech to match the person speaking in the direct speech. For example, if the indirect speech is “She said that she was going to the store,” the direct speech would be “I am going to the store,” if you are the person speaking.
• Change the tense: Change the tense of the verbs in the indirect speech to match the tense of the direct speech. For example, if the indirect speech is “He said that he would visit tomorrow,” the direct speech would be “He says he will visit tomorrow.”
• Remove the reporting verb and conjunction: In direct speech, there is no need for a reporting verb or conjunction. Simply remove them from the indirect speech to get the direct speech.

Here is an example to illustrate the process:

Indirect Speech: John said that he was tired and wanted to go home.

Direct Speech: “I am tired and want to go home,” John said.

By following these steps, you can easily convert indirect speech into direct speech.

Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct and indirect speech are two ways to report what someone has said. Direct speech reports the exact words spoken by a person, while indirect speech reports the meaning of what was said. Here are some examples of both types of speech:

Direct Speech Examples

Direct speech is used when you want to report the exact words spoken by someone. It is usually enclosed in quotation marks and is often used in dialogue.

• “I am going to the store,” said Sarah.
• “It’s a beautiful day,” exclaimed John.
• “Please turn off the lights,” Mom told me.
• “I will meet you at the library,” said Tom.
• “We are going to the beach tomorrow,” announced Mary.

Indirect Speech Examples

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is used to report what someone said without using their exact words. It is often used in news reports, academic writing, and in situations where you want to paraphrase what someone said.

Here are some examples of indirect speech:

• Sarah said that she was going to the store.
• John exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
• Mom told me to turn off the lights.
• Tom said that he would meet me at the library.
• Mary announced that they were going to the beach tomorrow.

In indirect speech, the verb tense may change to reflect the time of the reported speech. For example, “I am going to the store” becomes “Sarah said that she was going to the store.” Additionally, the pronouns and possessive adjectives may also change to reflect the speaker and the person being spoken about.

Overall, both direct and indirect speech are important tools for reporting what someone has said. By using these techniques, you can accurately convey the meaning of what was said while also adding your own interpretation and analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct and indirect speech?

Direct and indirect speech refer to the ways in which we communicate what someone has said. Direct speech involves repeating the exact words spoken, using quotation marks to indicate that you are quoting someone. Indirect speech, on the other hand, involves reporting what someone has said without using their exact words.

How do you convert direct speech to indirect speech?

To convert direct speech to indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions. You also need to introduce a reporting verb, such as “said,” “told,” or “asked.” For example, “I love ice cream,” said Mary (direct speech) can be converted to “Mary said that she loved ice cream” (indirect speech).

What is the difference between direct speech and indirect speech?

The main difference between direct speech and indirect speech is that direct speech uses the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports what someone has said without using their exact words. Direct speech is usually enclosed in quotation marks, while indirect speech is not.

What are some examples of direct and indirect speech?

Some examples of direct speech include “I am going to the store,” said John and “I love pizza,” exclaimed Sarah. Some examples of indirect speech include John said that he was going to the store and Sarah exclaimed that she loved pizza .

What are the rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech?

The rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech include changing the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions. You also need to introduce a reporting verb and use appropriate reporting verbs such as “said,” “told,” or “asked.”

What is a summary of direct and indirect speech?

Direct and indirect speech are two ways of reporting what someone has said. Direct speech involves repeating the exact words spoken, while indirect speech reports what someone has said without using their exact words. To convert direct speech to indirect speech, you need to change the tense of the verbs, pronouns, and time expressions and introduce a reporting verb.

You might also like:

• List of Adjectives
• Predicate Adjective
• Superlative Adjectives

This website is AMNAZING

MY NAAMEE IS KISHU AND I WANTED TO TELL THERE ARE NO EXERCISES AVAILLABLEE BY YOUR WEBSITE PLEASE ADD THEM SSOON FOR OUR STUDENTS CONVIENCE IM A EIGHT GRADER LOVED YOUR EXPLABATIO

sure cries l miss my friend

he saiad,” we are all sinners”. convert into indirect speech

He said that they were all sinners.

Indirect speech

Indirect speech  or  reported speech  reports something that was said, but does not use the actual words that the speaker uttered.

Lynn asked whether Pippa had been to the new shopping mall.

Pippa replied that she hadn’t, but she had heard that there were some really cool shops there.

Reported speech always has two clauses. The words that are spoken are put in a reported clause. There is also a main clause that contains a reporting verb. The main clause with the reporting verb usually comes before the reported clause.

Katie told me that Alison is going to resign.

Peter asked whether Mandy was feeling better.

The reporting verb in the main clause tells us how the sentence was spoken, e.g.  comment, remark, say, tell . If the reported clause is a statement, the main clause is linked to the reported clause by  that .

Mary said that her favourite actor was Ben Whishaw.

John replied that he preferred Scarlett Johansson.

If the reported clause asks a question, the main verb will be a question verb e.g.  ask, inquire, wonder, query . The link between the main clause and the reported clause will be  if  or  whether .

Amy asked Jo if she had seen the movie.

Will enquired whether the documents were ready.

The linking word  that  can be left out after most reporting verbs, but the links  if  or  whether  CANNOT be left out.

Jamie told Dad (that) he had passed his driving test.

Lucy said Alan had been accepted at drama school.

Miriam asked  if  she could borrow Leonie’s bike.

Evelyn wondered  whether  the concert would be sold out.

Speech in a reported clause is not separated from the reporting verb by a comma, is not enclosed in inverted commas, and does not begin with a capital letter unless it is a proper noun. Reported questions are not followed by question marks.

Reported clauses can also be used to express what is in someone’s mind as well as what is actually spoken.

Evelyn wondered whether the concert would be sold out.

Charlotte thought that she had better go and see her family.

For further information on English Grammar, visit: https://grammar.collinsdictionary.com/easy-learning

Come back for other blogs on using English in everyday situations: https://blog.collinsdictionary.com/language-learners/learning-english/

All opinions expressed on this blog are those of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company, HarperCollins.

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• Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10 with Answers

Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10

Reported speech is an important part of learning English, especially in Class 10. It involves telling someone what another person has said, but without quoting their exact words . For example, instead of saying, "She said, 'I am going to the market,'" the reported speech would be, "She said that she was going to the market."

Practising Reported Speech Exercises For Class 10 helps students understand how to convey information accurately and clearly. In this article, there are different exercises prepared to test and improve your skills in reported speech. Each exercise comes with answers, students can check their work and learn from any mistakes. By working through these exercises, students will improve their ability to use reported speech correctly in different situations.

Reported Speech Exercises with Answers for Class 10

Try these Reported Speech exercises with answers for Class 10 to practise changing direct quotes into reported speech. Check your answers to see how well you understand the topic, and watch the Reported speech video for a clear explanation and more examples .

Reported Speech Dialogue Exercises for Class 10 CBSE with Answers

Exercise 1: Transform the following sentences into reported speech.

"I am going to the market," said Rahul.

"Are you coming to the party?" asked Riya.

"I will finish my homework later," said Tina.

"We have never been to Paris," they said.

"Did you see the new movie?" he asked.

"She can speak three languages," said Mr. Sharma.

"Please, close the door," she said.

"Why are you late?" asked the teacher.

"I don’t like spicy food," said Raj.

"You should take your medicine ," the doctor said.

"Where have you been?" she asked.

"I need a new pair of shoes," he said.

"Will you help me with this project?" she asked.

"I can’t find my keys," said John.

"I have completed my assignment," he said.

"Are they coming to the meeting?" she asked.

"We visited the museum yesterday," they said.

"Why didn’t you answer my call?" she asked.

"I am reading an interesting book," he said.

"Let’s go for a walk," she suggested.

"You must finish this work by tomorrow," he said.

"Did you enjoy the concert?" she asked.

"I don’t understand this chapter," said Ravi.

"Where is the nearest bus stop?" he asked.

"She will call you later," said Mr. Gupta.

"Can you lend me a pen?" he asked.

"I am not feeling well," she said.

"When does the train arrive?" he asked.

"Do you know where she went?" they asked.

"We are planning a surprise party," they said.

"I have a meeting at 5 PM," she said.

"Will it rain tomorrow?" he asked.

"I need to talk to you," she said.

"Did you hear the news?" he asked.

"I will be there on time ," she assured.

"Where can I find a taxi?" he asked.

"She is coming to the party," they said.

"Can you help me with this?" he asked.

"I have to leave now," she said.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

"I will call you later," he said.

"She told me that she was busy," he said.

"Did you see that movie?" she asked.

"I can’t come to the meeting," he said.

"Where did you put my book?" she asked.

"I am looking for my wallet," he said.

"Can you meet me tomorrow?" she asked.

"They are watching a movie," she said.

"Do you know his address?" he asked.

"I have been waiting for an hour," she said.

Rahul said that he was going to the market.

Riya asked if I was coming to the party.

Tina said that she would finish her homework later.

They said that they had never been to Paris.

He asked if I had seen the new movie.

Mr. Sharma said that she could speak three languages.

She requested to close the door.

The teacher asked why I was late.

Raj said that he didn’t like spicy food.

The doctor advised that I should take my medicine.

She asked where I had been.

He said that he needed a new pair of shoes.

She asked if I would help her with the project.

John said that he couldn’t find his keys.

He said that he had completed his assignment.

She asked if they were coming to the meeting.

They said that they had visited the museum the day before.

She asked why I hadn’t answered her call.

He said that he was reading an interesting book.

She suggested going for a walk.

He said that I had to finish the work by the next day.

She asked if I had enjoyed the concert.

Ravi said that he didn’t understand the chapter.

He asked where the nearest bus stop was.

Mr. Gupta said that she would call me later.

He asked if I could lend him a pen.

She said that she was not feeling well.

He asked when the train arrived.

They asked if I knew where she had gone.

They said that they were planning a surprise party.

She said that she had a meeting at 5 PM.

He asked if it would rain the next day.

She said that she needed to talk to me.

He asked if I had heard the news.

She assured me that she would be there on time.

He asked where he could find a taxi.

They said that she was coming to the party.

He asked if I could help him with that.

She said that she had to leave then.

He asked if I was sure about it.

He said that he would call me later.

He said that she had told him that she was busy.

She asked if I had seen that movie.

He said that he couldn’t come to the meeting.

She asked where I had put her book.

He said that he was looking for his wallet.

She asked if I could meet her the next day.

She said that they were watching a movie.

He asked if I knew his address.

She said that she had been waiting for an hour.

Exercise 2: Convert the following reported speech sentences back into direct speech .

She said that she was going to the store.

He asked if I had finished my homework.

The teacher mentioned that the exam was on Friday.

They said that they would be arriving late.

She warned me that the water was too hot.

He asked if she was coming to the party.

The manager said that the meeting was scheduled for 3 PM.

She told me that she had seen that movie before.

He said that he would help me with the project.

The doctor advised that I should get more rest.

She mentioned that she had lost her keys.

They asked if we could join them for dinner.

He said that he was not feeling well.

The professor explained that the assignment was due next week.

She said that they were planning a surprise party.

He informed me that he would be traveling abroad.

The guide said that the tour would start at noon.

She asked if I wanted to come with her.

He said that he had been working on the report all night.

They complained that the service was too slow.

The student said that he had forgotten his book.

She explained that she had a family emergency.

He mentioned that the flight was delayed.

They said that they had enjoyed the concert.

The chef suggested that we try the special dish.

She told me that she had won a prize.

He asked if I could help him with the assignment.

The coach said that practice would start at 5 PM.

She said that she was excited about the new job.

He stated that he had completed the project.

The police officer asked if I had seen anything suspicious.

She mentioned that she would be moving to a new city.

He informed me that the event was canceled.

The librarian said that the book was overdue.

She told him that she would call him later.

He said that he had missed the bus.

The employee mentioned that the system was down.

She asked if I could pick her up from the airport.

He said that they were going on vacation next month .

They complained that the hotel room was not clean.

The artist said that she had finished her painting.

She told me that they had already eaten dinner.

He asked if I had read the latest book in the series.

The teacher mentioned that the project was due soon.

She said that she would be arriving late.

He informed me that the deadline was extended.

The chef said that the food was almost ready.

She asked if we had seen her sunglasses.

He said that he would call me when he arrived.

The guide mentioned that the museum was closed on Mondays.

She said, "I am going to the store."

He asked, "Have you finished your homework?"

The teacher mentioned, "The exam is on Friday."

They said, "We will be arriving late."

She warned, "The water is too hot."

He asked, "Is she coming to the party?"

The manager said, "The meeting is scheduled for 3 PM."

She told me, "I have seen that movie before."

He said, "I will help you with the project."

The doctor advised, "You should get more rest."

She mentioned, "I have lost my keys."

They asked, "Can we join you for dinner?"

He said, "I am not feeling well."

The professor explained, "The assignment is due next week."

She said, "We are planning a surprise party."

He informed me, "I will be traveling abroad."

The guide said, "The tour will start at noon."

She asked, "Do you want to come with me?"

He said, "I have been working on the report all night."

They complained, "The service is too slow."

The student said, "I have forgotten my book."

She explained, "I have a family emergency."

He mentioned, "The flight is delayed."

They said, "We enjoyed the concert."

The chef suggested, "Try the special dish."

She told me, "I have won a prize."

He asked, "Can you help me with the assignment?"

The coach said, "Practice will start at 5 PM."

She said, "I am excited about the new job."

He stated, "I have completed the project."

The police officer asked, "Have you seen anything suspicious?"

She mentioned, "I will be moving to a new city."

He informed me, "The event is canceled."

The librarian said, "The book is overdue."

She told him, "I will call you later."

He said, "I missed the bus."

The employee mentioned, "The system is down."

She asked, "Can you pick me up from the airport?"

He said, "We are going on vacation next month."

They complained, "The hotel room is not clean."

The artist said, "I have finished my painting."

She told me, "We have already eaten dinner."

He asked, "Have you read the latest book in the series?"

The teacher mentioned, "The project is due soon."

She said, "I will be arriving late."

He informed me, "The deadline has been extended."

The chef said, "The food is almost ready."

She asked, "Have you seen my sunglasses?"

He said, "I will call you when I arrive."

The guide mentioned, "The museum is closed on Mondays."

Exercise 3: Reported Speech dialogue exercises for Class 10 CBSE with Answers

A: "I will meet you at the café at 3 PM," she said.

B: "I’ll be there," he replied.

A: "Please call me when you arrive," he said.

B: "I will definitely call," she promised.

A: "Can you help me with this project?" she asked.

B: "Of course, I’ll help you," he responded.

A: "I am planning to visit my parents next weekend," she said.

B: "That sounds nice," he replied.

A: "We need to finish this report by tomorrow," he said.

B: "I’ll get it done," she promised.

A: "Do you want to join us for lunch?" they asked.

B: "Yes, I’d love to join," she answered.

A: "The weather is going to be great this weekend," he said.

B: "I hope so," she replied.

A: "I have never been to Australia," she said.

B: "Neither have I," he replied.

A: "Please make sure to lock the door," he said.

B: "I will lock it," she assured.

A: "I am excited about the new movie," she said.

B: "Me too," he replied.

A: "We should start the meeting now," he suggested.

B: "I agree, let's begin," she said.

A: "Can you finish this by 5 PM?" he asked.

B: "I will try my best," she replied.

A: "I’m thinking of buying a new car," she said.

B: "That sounds like a good idea," he replied.

A: "Have you finished your assignment?" he asked.

B: "Not yet, but I’m working on it," she replied.

A: "I’ll be attending the conference next month," she said.

B: "I look forward to hearing about it," he replied.

A: "Please be on time for the meeting," he said.

B: "I will be punctual," she promised.

A: "I’m not sure if I can make it to the party," she said.

B: "I hope you can come," he replied.

A: "The train leaves at 8 AM," he said.

B: "I’ll make sure to be there early," she promised.

A: "Did you enjoy the book?" he asked.

B: "Yes, it was fantastic," she replied.

A: "I’ll send you the details later," she said.

B: "Thank you, I’ll wait for them," he replied.

A: "We have to submit the form by Friday," he said.

B: "I’ll get it done by then," she promised.

A: "Can you pass the salt, please?" she asked.

B: "Sure, here you go," he replied.

A: "I’m planning to take a vacation next month," she said.

B: "That sounds wonderful," he replied.

A: "Don’t forget to call me," he said.

B: "I won’t forget," she assured.

A: "I’ve never seen such a beautiful sunset," she said.

A: "Can you help me move this weekend?" he asked.

B: "I’m available to help," she replied.

A: "I have a dentist appointment tomorrow," she said.

B: "I hope it goes well," he replied.

A: "Please submit your reports by Monday," he said.

B: "I will submit them on Monday," she promised.

A: "We’re going to a concert tonight," she said.

B: "That sounds fun," he replied.

A: "I’m not feeling well today," he said.

B: "I hope you get better soon," she replied.

A: "I will finish my work before lunch," she said.

B: "Great, I’ll see you then," he replied.

A: "Can you give me a ride to the airport?" he asked.

B: "Yes, I can," she replied.

A: "I’ve completed the assignment," she said.

B: "That’s good to hear," he replied.

A: "Please let me know if you need any help," he said.

B: "Thank you, I will," she promised.

A: "I’m excited for the holiday season ," she said.

A: "I’ll be back by 10 PM," he said.

B: "Okay, I’ll see you then," she replied.

A: "Don’t forget to turn off the lights," she said.

B: "I’ll make sure to do that," he promised.

A: "The deadline for the project is next week," he said.

B: "I’ll work on it," she assured.

A: "Can you give me some feedback on my presentation?" she asked.

B: "Sure, I’ll review it," he replied.

A: "I’ll call you as soon as I arrive," he said.

B: "I’ll be waiting for your call," she replied.

A: "We need to discuss this further," she said.

B: "Let’s talk about it later," he replied.

A: "I’m planning a surprise party for her," she said.

B: "That’s exciting," he replied.

A: "Have you completed the budget report?" he asked.

B: "Yes, I finished it last night," she replied.

A: "I’ll get the tickets for the concert," he said.

B: "Thank you," she replied.

A: "I’ve booked a table for two," she said.

B: "Perfect, I’ll see you there," he replied.

A: "Can you meet me at the station?" he asked.

B: "I’ll be there on time," she assured.

A: "I’ve lost my wallet," he said.

B: "Let me help you find it," she offered.

A: "Please remember to bring your ID," she said.

B: "I won’t forget," he promised.

A: "I’m excited about the new project," he said.

B: "Me too," she replied.

A: "Can you check my email for me?" she asked.

B: "Sure, I’ll do that now," he replied.

Speaker A: She said that she would meet him at the café at 3 PM.

Speaker B: He replied that he would be there.

Speaker A: He said to call him when she arrived.

Speaker B: She promised that she would definitely call.

Speaker A: She asked if he could help her with the project.

Speaker B: He responded that he would help her.

Speaker A: She said that she was planning to visit her parents the following weekend.

Speaker B: He replied that it sounded nice.

Speaker A: He said that they needed to finish the report by the next day.

Speaker B: She promised that she would get it done.

Speaker A: They asked if she wanted to join them for lunch.

Speaker B: She answered that she would love to join.

Speaker A: He said that the weather was going to be great that weekend.

Speaker B: She replied that she hoped so.

Speaker A: She said that she had never been to Australia.

Speaker B: He replied that he had not been either.

Speaker A: He said to make sure to lock the door.

Speaker B: She assured him that she would lock it.

Speaker A: She said that she was excited about the new movie.

Speaker B: He replied that he was excited too.

Speaker A: He suggested that they should start the meeting then.

Speaker B: She agreed and said they should begin.

Speaker A: He asked if she could finish it by 5 PM.

Speaker B: She replied that she would try her best.

Speaker A: She said that she was thinking of buying a new car.

Speaker B: He replied that it sounded like a good idea.

Speaker A: He asked if she had finished her assignment.

Speaker B: She replied that she had not yet finished but was working on it.

Speaker A: She said that she would be attending the conference the following month.

Speaker B: He replied that he looked forward to hearing about it.

Speaker A: He said to be on time for the meeting.

Speaker B: She promised that she would be punctual.

Speaker A: She said that she was not sure if she could make it to the party.

Speaker B: He replied that he hoped she could come.

Speaker A: He said that the train left at 8 AM.

Speaker B: She promised that she would make sure to be there early.

Speaker A: He asked if she had enjoyed the book.

Speaker B: She replied that it was fantastic.

Speaker A: She said that she would send him the details later.

Speaker B: He replied that he would wait for them.

Speaker A: He said that they had to submit the form by Friday.

Speaker B: She promised that she would get it done by then.

Speaker A: She asked if he could pass the salt.

Speaker B: He replied that he would pass it.

Speaker A: She said that she was planning a vacation the following month.

Speaker B: He replied that it sounded wonderful.

Speaker A: He said not to forget to call him.

Speaker B: She assured him that she would not forget.

Speaker A: She said that she had never seen such a beautiful sunset.

Speaker B: He replied that he had not seen one either.

Speaker A: He asked if she could help him move that weekend.

Speaker B: She replied that she was available to help.

Speaker A: She said that she had a dentist appointment the next day.

Speaker B: He replied that he hoped it went well.

Speaker A: He said to submit the reports by Monday.

Speaker B: She promised that she would submit them on Monday.

Speaker A: She said that they were going to a concert that night.

Speaker B: He replied that it sounded fun.

Speaker A: He said that he was not feeling well that day.

Speaker B: She replied that she hoped he would get better soon.

Speaker A: She said that she would finish her work before lunch.

Speaker B: He replied that he would see her then.

Speaker A: He asked if she could give him a ride to the airport.

Speaker B: She replied that she could.

Speaker A: She said that she had completed the assignment.

Speaker B: He replied that it was good to hear.

Speaker A: He said to let him know if she needed any help.

Speaker B: She promised that she would.

Speaker A: She said that she was excited about the holiday season.

Speaker A: He said that he would be back by 10 PM.

Speaker B: She replied that she would see him then.

Speaker A: She said not to forget to turn off the lights.

Speaker B: He promised that he would make sure to do that.

Speaker A: He said that the deadline for the project was the following week.

Speaker B: She assured him that she would work on it.

Speaker A: She asked if he could give her some feedback on her presentation.

Speaker B: He replied that he would review it.

Speaker A: He said that he would call her as soon as he arrived.

Speaker B: She replied that she would be waiting for his call.

Speaker A: She said that they needed to discuss it further.

Speaker B: He replied that they should talk about it later.

Speaker A: She said that she was planning a surprise party for her.

Speaker B: He replied that it was exciting.

Speaker A: He asked if she had completed the budget report.

Speaker B: She replied that she had finished it the previous night.

Speaker A: He said that he would get the tickets for the concert.

Speaker B: She replied that she was thankful.

Speaker A: She said that she had booked a table for two.

Speaker B: He replied that he would see her there.

Speaker A: He asked if she could meet him at the station.

Speaker B: She assured him that she would be there on time.

Speaker A: He said that he had lost his wallet.

Speaker B: She offered to help him find it.

Speaker A: She said to remember to bring his ID.

Speaker B: He promised that he would not forget.

Speaker A: He said that he was excited about the new project.

Speaker B: She replied that she was excited too.

Speaker A: She asked if he could check her email for her.

Speaker B: He replied that he would do that then.

Still finding it difficult to answer these questions, Watch Common Mistakes in Reported Speech and improve your performance.

Test your Knowledge of Reported Speech

Task 1: Convert Direct Speech to Reported Speech

"I have been working here for five years," he said.

"Are you coming to the picnic tomorrow?" she asked.

"The package will arrive by Friday," the delivery man said.

"I forgot to bring my lunch," he admitted.

"We are moving to a new house next month," they said.

"Please finish your homework before dinner," the mother said.

"You should try the new restaurant," he suggested.

"I will help you with your maths problems," she promised.

"The movie starts at 8 PM," the ticket seller said.

"I have never been to Italy," she said.

Task 2: Convert Reported Speech to Direct Speech

He said that he was going to visit his parents the following week.

She asked if I could lend her my book.

The teacher mentioned that the test was postponed until next Friday.

They said that they had completed the project on time.

He explained that he had been studying for the exam all night.

The guide said that the museum would open at 10 AM.

She said that she had never seen such a beautiful garden.

He asked if we were interested in joining the new club.

The manager told us that the deadline had been extended.

They mentioned that they would be arriving late.

Task 3: Identify the Error

She said that she will meet us at the café.

He asked if I would help him with his project next week.

The teacher mentioned that the assignment was due yesterday.

They told me that they are going to the concert last night.

She said that she would have finished her work by now.

He asked if I have seen his keys.

The chef explained that the dish will be ready soon.

She said that she had forgot her phone at home.

They mentioned that the flight would have landed already.

He informed me that he would be arriving tomorrow.

Task 4: Complete the Reported Speech

"I am visiting my grandmother this weekend," she said. → She said that ______.

"Will you be at the meeting?" he asked. → He asked if ______.

"I have never tried sushi before," he said. → He said that ______.

"I will get the groceries later," she promised. → She promised that ______.

"Do not forget to lock the door," he said. → He said not to ______.

"I have already completed the task," she said. → She said that ______.

"We will go hiking if the weather is good," they said. → They said that ______.

"Please bring your notes to the class," the teacher said. → The teacher asked to ______.

"I cannot attend the event due to a prior commitment," she said. → She said that ______.

"The concert tickets are sold out," he said. → He said that ______.

Task 5: Transform the Dialogue

A: "I will meet you at the restaurant at 7 PM," she said.

B: "I will be there on time," he replied.

Reported Speech:

Speaker A: She said that ______.

Speaker B: He replied that ______.

A: "Please send me the details by email," he said.

B: "I will send them to you this evening," she promised.

Speaker A: He said that ______.

Speaker B: She promised that ______.

A: "We need to finish this project before the deadline," he said.

B: "I agree. Let's work on it together," she replied.

Speaker B: She replied that ______.

A: "Can you help me with this task?" he asked.

B: "Sure, I will assist you," she responded.

Speaker A: He asked if ______.

Speaker B: She responded that ______.

A: "I am excited about the vacation," she said.

B: "So am I," he replied.

Find out if you got them all right from the answers below.

She said that she had been working there for five years.

She asked if I was coming to the picnic the next day.

The delivery man said that the package would arrive by Friday.

He admitted that he had forgotten to bring his lunch.

They said that they were moving to a new house the following month.

The mother said to finish our homework before dinner.

He suggested trying the new restaurant.

She promised that she would help me with my math problems.

The ticket seller said that the movie started at 8 PM.

She said that she had never been to Italy.

He said, "I am going to visit my parents next week."

She asked, "Can you lend me your book?"

The teacher mentioned, "The test is postponed until next Friday."

They said, "We completed the project on time."

He explained, "I was studying for the exam all night."

The guide said, "The museum will open at 10 AM."

She said, "I have never seen such a beautiful garden."

He asked, "Are you interested in joining the new club?"

The manager told us, "The deadline has been extended."

They mentioned, "We will be arriving late."

Corrected: She said that she would meet us at the café.

Corrected: He asked if I would help him with his project the following week.

Corrected: The teacher mentioned that the assignment had been due yesterday.

Corrected: They told me that they were going to the concert the previous night.

Corrected: She said that she would have finished her work by now.

Corrected: He asked if I had seen his keys.

Corrected: The chef explained that the dish would be ready soon.

Corrected: She said that she had forgotten her phone at home.

Corrected: They mentioned that the flight would have already landed.

Corrected: He informed me that he would be arriving the next day.

She said that she was visiting her grandmother that weekend.

He asked if I would be at the meeting.

He said that he had never tried sushi before.

She promised that she would get the groceries later.

He said not to forget to lock the door.

She said that she had already completed the task.

They said that they would go hiking if the weather was good.

The teacher asked to bring our notes to the class.

She said that she could not attend the event due to a prior commitment.

He said that the concert tickets were sold out.

Speaker A: She said that she would meet me at the restaurant at 7 PM.

Speaker B: He replied that he would be there on time.

Speaker A: He said that he wanted the details sent by email.

Speaker B: She promised that she would send them that evening.

Speaker A: He said that they needed to finish the project before the deadline.

Speaker B: She replied that she agreed and suggested working on it together.

Speaker A: He asked if she could help him with the task.

Speaker B: She responded that she would assist him.

Speaker A: She said that she was excited about the vacation.

Takeaways from this Page

Practising reported speech helps you learn how to convey what others have said in a different way. Key points to remember are changing the verb tenses, adjusting pronouns, and keeping the meaning intact. For example, if someone says, "I am going," in reported speech it becomes, "She said she was going." It's also important to use reporting verbs like "said," "asked," and "promised" to show how the information is shared. Getting these elements right makes sure you communicate clearly and accurately, both in writing and speaking.

FAQs on Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10 with Answers

1. What is reported speech?

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way of conveying what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. Instead of saying exactly what was spoken, you summarize or paraphrase it. For example, "He said, 'I am tired'" becomes "He said that he was tired."

2. How do you change tenses in reported speech?

In reported speech, the tense usually shifts one step back from the original. For example:

Present simple becomes past simple (e.g., "She says, 'I work hard'" becomes "She said that she worked hard").

Present continuous becomes past continuous (e.g., "They are playing" becomes "They were playing").

3. Do you need to change pronouns in reported speech?

Yes, pronouns should be adjusted to match the perspective of the reporter. For example:

"I" changes to "he" or "she" (e.g., "I will come" becomes "He said that he would come").

4. What happens to the word order in reported speech?

The word order generally changes to fit the structure of the reporting sentence. For instance, "She said, 'I will go to the market'" changes to "She said that she would go to the market."

5. How do you report questions?

To report questions, you use reporting verbs like "asked" or "inquired" and change the question format into a statement. For example:

Direct: "Are you coming?"

Reported: "He asked if I was coming."

6. How can Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10 with Answers help improve grammar skills?

Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10 with Answers help improve grammar by teaching students how to change tenses and pronouns when reporting what someone else said. These exercises show how to use verbs like "said" and "asked" correctly, and help students practice turning direct speech into reported speech. By working through these exercises and checking their answers, students can spot and fix common mistakes, which makes their grammar more accurate. Regular practice helps students become better at using correct grammar in writing and speaking, leading to clearer and more effective communication.

7. Do you need to use 'that' in reported speech?

Using "that" is optional but helps clarify the connection between the reporting verb and the reported speech. For example:

"She said, 'I am leaving'" can be reported as "She said that she was leaving" or simply "She said she was leaving."

8. How do you handle time expressions in reported speech?

Time expressions often need to be adjusted to fit the new context. For example:

"Today" changes to "that day," "tomorrow" becomes "the next day," and "yesterday" changes to "the day before."

9. Can you give an example of reporting a statement with a modal verb?

Yes. For instance, if someone says, "I can swim," it becomes "He said that he could swim" in reported speech.

10. Are there exceptions to changing tenses in reported speech?

Yes, if the reporting verb is in the present, or if the information remains true regardless of time, the tense might not change. For example:

"She says, 'I am tired'" remains, "She says that she is tired" in reported speech because the reporting verb is in the present.

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Reported speech

Reported speech is how we represent the speech of other people or what we ourselves say. There are two main types of reported speech: direct speech and indirect speech.

Direct speech repeats the exact words the person used, or how we remember their words:

Barbara said, “I didn’t realise it was midnight.”

In indirect speech, the original speaker’s words are changed.

Barbara said she hadn’t realised it was midnight .

In this example, I becomes she and the verb tense reflects the fact that time has passed since the words were spoken: didn’t realise becomes hadn’t realised .

Indirect speech focuses more on the content of what someone said rather than their exact words:

“I’m sorry,” said Mark. (direct)

Mark apologised . (indirect: report of a speech act)

In a similar way, we can report what people wrote or thought:

‘I will love you forever,’ he wrote, and then posted the note through Alice’s door. (direct report of what someone wrote)

He wrote that he would love her forever , and then posted the note through Alice’s door. (indirect report of what someone wrote)

I need a new direction in life , she thought. (direct report of someone’s thoughts)

She thought that she needed a new direction in life . (indirect report of someone’s thoughts)

Reported speech: direct speech

Reported speech: indirect speech

Reported speech: reporting and reported clauses

Speech reports consist of two parts: the reporting clause and the reported clause. The reporting clause includes a verb such as say, tell, ask, reply, shout , usually in the past simple, and the reported clause includes what the original speaker said.

Reported speech: punctuation

Direct speech.

In direct speech we usually put a comma between the reporting clause and the reported clause. The words of the original speaker are enclosed in inverted commas, either single (‘…’) or double (“…”). If the reported clause comes first, we put the comma inside the inverted commas:

“ I couldn’t sleep last night, ” he said.

Rita said, ‘ I don’t need you any more. ’

If the direct speech is a question or exclamation, we use a question mark or exclamation mark, not a comma:

‘Is there a reason for this ? ’ she asked.

“I hate you ! ” he shouted.

We sometimes use a colon (:) between the reporting clause and the reported clause when the reporting clause is first:

The officer replied: ‘It is not possible to see the General. He’s busy.’

Punctuation

Indirect speech

In indirect speech it is more common for the reporting clause to come first. When the reporting clause is first, we don’t put a comma between the reporting clause and the reported clause. When the reporting clause comes after the reported clause, we use a comma to separate the two parts:

She told me they had left her without any money.

Not: She told me, they had left her without any money .

Nobody had gone in or out during the previous hour, he informed us.

We don’t use question marks or exclamation marks in indirect reports of questions and exclamations:

He asked me why I was so upset.

Not: He asked me why I was so upset?

Reported speech: reporting verbs

Say and tell.

We can use say and tell to report statements in direct speech, but say is more common. We don’t always mention the person being spoken to with say , but if we do mention them, we use a prepositional phrase with to ( to me, to Lorna ):

‘I’ll give you a ring tomorrow,’ she said .

‘Try to stay calm,’ she said to us in a low voice.

Not: ‘Try to stay calm,’ she said us in a low voice .

With tell , we always mention the person being spoken to; we use an indirect object (underlined):

‘Enjoy yourselves,’ he told them .

Not: ‘Enjoy yourselves,’ he told .

In indirect speech, say and tell are both common as reporting verbs. We don’t use an indirect object with say , but we always use an indirect object (underlined) with tell :

He said he was moving to New Zealand.

Not: He said me he was moving to New Zealand .

He told me he was moving to New Zealand.

Not: He told he was moving to New Zealand .

We use say , but not tell , to report questions:

‘Are you going now?’ she said .

Not: ‘Are you going now?’ she told me .

We use say , not tell , to report greetings, congratulations and other wishes:

‘Happy birthday!’ she said .

Not: Happy birthday!’ she told me .

Everyone said good luck to me as I went into the interview.

Not: Everyone told me good luck …

Say or tell ?

Other reporting verbs

The reporting verbs in this list are more common in indirect reports, in both speaking and writing:

Simon admitted that he had forgotten to email Andrea.

Louis always maintains that there is royal blood in his family.

The builder pointed out that the roof was in very poor condition.

Most of the verbs in the list are used in direct speech reports in written texts such as novels and newspaper reports. In ordinary conversation, we don’t use them in direct speech. The reporting clause usually comes second, but can sometimes come first:

‘Who is that person?’ she asked .

‘It was my fault,’ he confessed .

‘There is no cause for alarm,’ the Minister insisted .

Verb patterns: verb + that -clause

Word of the Day

long weekend

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Saturday and Sunday with at least one extra day added, either Friday or Monday.

It’s not really my thing (How to say you don’t like something)

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