REPORTED SPEECH (STATEMENTS)

DIRECT SPEECH

REPORTED SPEECH

DIRECT SPEECH

In Direct Speech, we repeat the exact words that someone said. We usually use the verb say

and the words of the speaker are put in quotation marks.

Irina said, “Tina is on the phone.”

REPORTED SPEECHIn Reported Speech, we report the meaning of what someone said,

without using their exact words. We use a reporting verb usually say or tell, followed by that (which can be omitted) and the reported

statement.

Irina said that Tina was on the phone.• We use say when there is no indirect object.

“I’ll be there,” he said.He said that he would be there.

• We use tell when there is an indirect object.

“I’ll call you, Mark”, she said.• She told Mark she would call him.

oWhen we change a sentence from Direct to Reported Speech, pronouns and possessive adjectives change

according to the meaning of the sentence.“You look great in your new dress,” said David.David said that I looked great in my new dress.

◦When a sentence changes from Direct to Reported Speech, tenses, modals and time expressions change as follows:

DIRECT SPEECH Present SimplePresent ProgressivePast SimplePresent Perfect SimpleWillCanMayMustNowHereAgoToday, tonightYesterdayThis morning/year, etc.

REPORTED SPEECHPast SimplePast ProgressivePast Perfect SimplePast Perfect SimpleWouldCouldMightHad toThenThereBeforeThat day, that nightThe previous day/ the day beforeThat morning/ year, etc.

DIRECT SPEECHTomorrowLast week/month, etc.

Next week/month, etc.

REPORTED SPEECHThe next day/ the following dayThe previous week/month etc./ the week/month, etc. BeforeThe following week/ month, etc.

• The Past Perfect and the verbs could, might, should, would and used to do not change in Reported

Speech.

• The Past Progressive usually doesn’t change in Reported

Speech.