Reported speech
Reported speech
I like shopping.
She said that she liked shopping.
We use reported speech to report what someone said.
Using that after said and told is optional.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
He told me that he was leaving next day.
When the reporting verb (said, told, etc.) is in the past tense, the tenses in the sentence which is being reported usually change like this:
present > past
will > would
past simple > past perfect
present perfect > past perfect
I'll always love you.
He said that he would always love me.
I passed the exam.
She told me that she had passed the exam.
I've forgotten my keys.
He said that he had forgotten his keys.
Some modal verbs change
can > could
may > might
must > had to
Other modal verbs stay the same: could, might, should, etc.
I might come back next week.
He said he might come back next week.
I can't come.
She said that she couldn't come.
I may be late.
He said that he might be late.
I must go.
She said that she had to go.
When tenses don't change
When you report what someone said very soon after they said it, the tenses often stay the same as in the original sentence.
I can't come tonight.
I've just spoken to him and he said that he can't come tonight.
I really enjoyed my trip.
He told me that he really enjoyed his trip.
We usually have to change pronouns.
I like jazz.
Jane said that she liked jazz.
If you report what someone said on a different day or in a different place, some other time and place words can change:
tomorrow > the next day, here > there, this > that, etc.
I'll meet you here tomorrow.
He said he'd meet me there the next day.
Be careful - after said, don't use a person or an object pronoun.
Sarah said that she was tired.
NOT Sarah said me that she was tired.
After told, you must use a person or object pronoun.
Sarah told me that she was tired.
NOT Sarah told that...
Reported questions
Are you married?
She asked him if he was married?
Did Lucy phone?
He asked me whether Lucy had phoned?
What's your name?
I asked him what his name was.
Where do you live?
She asked me where I lived.
When we report a question, the tenses change as in reported speech.
When a question doesn't begin with a question word, we add if (or whether).
Do you want a drink.
He asked me if / whether I wanted a drink.
We also have to change the word order to subject + verb and not use do / did.
Exercise a
I'm in love with you.
My boyfriend told me he was in love with me.
I'm selling all my books.
My friend Tim said he was selling all his books.
I've booked the flights.
Emma told me she had booked the flights.
Your new dress doesn't suit you.
My mother told me my new dress didn't suit me.
I may not be able to go to the party.
Matt said he might not be able to go to the party.
I won't wear these shoes again.
Jenny said she wouldn't wear those shoes again.
I didn't buy you a present.
My brother told me he hadn't bought me a present.
I can't find anywhere to park.
Luke told me he couldn't find anywhere to park.
Exercise b
Why did you make up.
My friend asked me why we had broken up.
When are you leaving?
My parents asked me when I was leaving.
Have you ever been married?
She asked him if he had ever been married.
Will you be home early?
Anna asked Robert if he would be home early.
Where do you usually buy your clothes?
My sister asked me where I usually boughtmy clothes.
Did wear a suit to the job interview?
We asked him if he had worn a suit to the job interview.
Do you ever go to the theatre?
I asked Lisa if she ever went to the theatre.
Can you help me?
Sally asked the policeman if he could help her.