In both written and spoken communication, it’s essential to know how to relay information accurately. Reported speech is a crucial aspect of language that allows us to convey what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. This article will guide you through the ins and outs of reported speech, helping you understand its structure, rules, and common mistakes. Whether you’re writing a formal report or having a casual conversation, mastering reported speech will enhance your fluency and comprehension.
Introduction to Reported Speech
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is the method of recounting what someone else has said, but without quoting their exact words. It is commonly used in news reports, storytelling, academic writing, and even in everyday conversations. The key difference between direct and reported speech lies in how the words are presented:
Direct Speech: “I am going to the store,” she said.
Reported Speech: She said that she was going to the store.
Notice how the structure changes when switching to reported speech. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for summarizing information or relaying dialogue in a more formal or summarized manner.
Basic Structure of Reported Speech
The foundation of reported speech lies in the reporting verb and the reported clause. Common reporting verbs include say, tell, ask, mention, and reply. These verbs set the stage for introducing the rest of the sentence. Here’s the basic structure:
She said that she was feeling tired.
He told me that he had finished the project.
In most cases, the word ‘that’ is used to link the reporting verb to the rest of the sentence. However, in informal speech, ‘that’ is often omitted, making the sentence more fluid. For example:
She said she was tired.
This subtle change does not affect the meaning but is important for understanding how reported speech can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Changes in Pronouns and Possessive Adjectives
When converting from direct to reported speech, one of the main shifts occurs with pronouns and possessive adjectives. Since the original speaker and the person reporting are different, pronouns must be adjusted to match the context.
Direct: “I am leaving,” she said.
Reported: She said that she was leaving.
Similarly, possessive adjectives like my and your also change depending on the speaker and listener:
Direct: “This is my book,” he said.
Reported: He said that that was his book.
This change is essential to ensure the clarity and accuracy of the information being conveyed.
Changes in Tense
Another key feature of reported speech is the backshifting of tenses. When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the verbs in the reported clause usually shifts back one step. Here’s how different tenses change in reported speech:
Present Simple → Past Simple
Direct: “I like pizza,” she said.
Reported: She said that she liked pizza.
Present Continuous → Past Continuous
Direct: “I am eating pizza,” she said.
Reported: She said that she was eating pizza.
Past Simple → Past Perfect
Direct: “I saw the movie,” he said.
Reported: He said that he had seen the movie.
Future Simple (Will) → Conditional (Would)
Direct: “I will go tomorrow,” he said.
Reported: He said that he would go the next day.
These tense shifts help place the reported speech in context, ensuring that it aligns with the time frame of the conversation or event.
Changes in Time and Place References
In reported speech, time and place references also undergo changes. This is because the original context may no longer be relevant when reporting. Here are some common transformations:
Now → Then
Today → That day
Tomorrow → The next day
Yesterday → The previous day
Here → There
This → That
For example:
Direct: “I will do it tomorrow,” he said.
Reported: He said that he would do it the next day.
This shift in time and place makes the reported speech more logical in the current context of communication.
Reporting Questions in Reported Speech
When reporting questions, the structure of the sentence changes, but the meaning remains the same. There are two types of questions to consider: yes/no questions and Wh- questions.
Yes/No Questions: These questions are reported using ‘if’ or ‘whether’.
Direct: “Are you coming?” he asked.
Reported: He asked if I was coming.
Wh- Questions: When reporting questions that begin with who, what, where, when, why, how, these question words are used to introduce the reported question.
Direct: “Where are you going?” she asked.
Reported: She asked where I was going.
In both cases, the sentence structure changes, and the question form disappears, replaced by a declarative structure.
Reporting Imperatives in Reported Speech
When converting commands or requests into reported speech, the structure changes significantly. Here, the imperative verb is replaced by the infinitive form.
Commands: These are reported using ‘tell’ + infinitive.
Direct: “Open the door,” he said.
Reported: He told me to open the door.
Requests: These are reported using ‘ask’ + infinitive.
Direct: “Please be quiet,” she said.
Reported: She asked me to be quiet.
The shift in structure ensures that the tone of the request or command is preserved, while fitting the rules of reported speech.
Special Cases in Reported Speech
There are a few special cases where the structure of reported speech varies:
Modals in Reported Speech: Modal verbs like can, will, may, and must also shift in reported speech:
Can → Could
Will → Would
May → Might
Must → Had to
For example:
Direct: “You must finish your homework,” she said.
Reported: She said that I had to finish my homework.
No Backshift for Universal Truths: When the reported speech involves a universal truth, the tense does not shift:
Direct: “The Earth is round,” he said.
Reported: He said that the Earth is round.
These exceptions ensure that the meaning of the original sentence is not lost in translation.
Exceptions and Variations in Reported Speech
There are certain exceptions and variations when it comes to reported speech:
No Tense Shift: If the reporting verb is in the present tense, there is no backshifting of tenses.
Example: She says that she likes pizza.
Mixed Reporting: Sometimes, a conversation may involve both direct and reported speech, especially in storytelling, where mixing the two creates a more dynamic narrative.
Practical Applications and Exercises
To fully understand reported speech, it’s important to practice converting direct speech into its reported form. Try these examples:
Direct: “I can’t come to the party,” she said.
Reported: She said that she couldn’t come to the party.
Pay attention to common mistakes such as forgetting to shift tenses or not adjusting pronouns. Practicing reported speech through exercises and dialogue transformation will help solidify your understanding.
Examples of Reported Speech
Here are some examples of reported speech, demonstrating how direct speech is converted into reported speech:
Direct Speech:
She said, “I am going to the store.”
Reported Speech:
She said that she was going to the store.
Direct Speech:
John said, “I will call you tomorrow.”
Reported Speech:
John said that he would call me the next day.
Direct Speech:
They said, “We have finished our homework.”
Reported Speech:
They said that they had finished their homework.
Direct Speech:
Mary asked, “Where are you going?”
Reported Speech:
Mary asked where I was going.
Direct Speech:
He asked, “Can you help me with this?”
Reported Speech:
He asked if I could help him with that.
Direct Speech:
The teacher said, “Don’t talk during the lesson.”
Reported Speech:
The teacher told us not to talk during the lesson.
Direct Speech:
My friend said, “I saw a great movie last night.”
Reported Speech:
My friend said that he had seen a great movie the previous night.
Direct Speech:
She said, “I might go to the party later.”
Reported Speech:
She said that she might go to the party later.
These examples show how pronouns, tenses, and time expressions change when switching from direct to reported speech.
Conclusion
Reported speech is an essential skill that makes communication more fluid and less repetitive. By understanding the changes in structure, tenses, pronouns, and time references, you can effectively report conversations in both formal and informal settings. Whether you’re writing a report or relaying a story, mastering reported speech will elevate your language skills, helping you communicate more clearly and confidently.
FAQs on Reported Speech
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. It often involves changes in pronouns, verb tenses, and time references to reflect the speaker’s context.
What is the difference between direct and reported speech?
Direct speech quotes someone’s exact words within quotation marks, while reported speech paraphrases what was said, adjusting pronouns, verb tenses, and time references to fit the context.
Direct: “I am going home,” he said.
Reported: He said that he was going home.
How do verb tenses change in reported speech?
Verb tenses in reported speech often shift back one step in time, a process known as backshifting. For example:
Present Simple becomes Past Simple: “I eat pizza” → He said he ate pizza.
Present Continuous becomes Past Continuous: “I am eating” → She said she was eating.
Future Simple becomes Conditional: “I will go” → He said he would go.
Do you always need to change tenses in reported speech?
No, tenses do not always change in reported speech. If the reporting verb is in the present tense or if you’re reporting a universal truth, the tense remains the same. For example, “She says that the Earth is round.”
How do you report questions in indirect speech?
When reporting questions, you adjust the sentence structure. For yes/no questions, use ‘if’ or ‘whether’. For Wh- questions, use the question word (who, what, where, etc.).
Yes/No Question: “Are you coming?” → He asked if I was coming.
Wh- Question: “Where are you going?” → She asked where I was going.
What are the common mistakes in reported speech?
Some common mistakes include:
Not shifting the tense correctly (e.g., forgetting to change “will” to “would”).
Failing to adjust pronouns or time references (e.g., “now” to “then”).
Misreporting questions by keeping them in question form instead of converting them into statements.
How do time references change in reported speech?
Time references usually change in reported speech to match the new context:
Now → Then
Today → That day
Tomorrow → The next day
Yesterday → The previous day
Here → There
Can we use reported speech in formal writing?
Yes, reported speech is commonly used in formal writing, especially in news reports, academic writing, and legal documents. It allows you to convey someone else’s words or statements without directly quoting them, maintaining a formal tone.
How do you report commands or requests in indirect speech?
Commands and requests are reported using ‘tell’ or ‘ask’ followed by the infinitive form of the verb. For example:
Direct: “Open the door.”
Reported: He told me to open the door.
Can modal verbs change in reported speech?
Yes, modal verbs such as ‘can,’ ‘will,’ and ‘must’ often change in reported speech:
Can → Could
Will → Would
Must → Had to
For example: “I can help you” → He said he could help me.
By practicing these rules and principles, you’ll gain more control over how you present spoken language in writing, enhancing your overall communication abilities.