Reported Speech in English: How to Speak About What Is Said

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TL;DR: Reported Speech in English allows you to share what someone said without using their exact words. To use it correctly, you’ll often need to adjust verb tenses, pronouns, and time or place expressions.

Every day, people talk about things that other people have said.

Whether you’re sharing news, telling a story, reporting a conversation, or explaining instructions, reported speech is one of the most useful grammar skills in English.

Instead of repeating someone’s exact words, reported speech allows you to describe what was said in a natural and flexible way. For example, rather than saying, “Sarah said, ‘I am tired,’” you can say, “Sarah said that she was tired.”

Why is reported speech in communication important?

Reported speech is essential because it helps us share what other people have said without repeating their exact words. We use it every day when telling stories, passing on information, giving updates, reporting conversations, or explaining instructions.

From casual chats to business meetings and news reports, reported speech makes communication more natural, efficient, and flexible.

For English learners, mastering reported speech also improves listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills while making real-world conversations much easier to understand.

What is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is a way of telling someone what another person said without repeating their exact words.

It helps us share conversations, information, instructions, and opinions more naturally in everyday English

What is direct vs. reported speech?

There are two main ways to communicate what someone has said: direct speech and reported speech.

Direct speech uses the speaker’s exact words and places them inside quotation marks.

Reported speech communicates the same meaning without quoting the speaker word for word. This often requires changes to pronouns, verb tenses, and time expressions.

Examples to illustrate the difference

Direct speech:

• Tom said, “I am going to the shop.”

Reported speech:

• Tom said that he was going to the shop.

Direct speech:

• Emma said, “I have finished my homework.”

Reported speech:

• Emma said that she had finished her homework.

These examples show how reported speech focuses on the message rather than the speaker’s exact wording.

Common contexts where reported speech is used

Reported speech appears in many everyday situations. People use it when sharing conversations, passing on information, reporting news, giving instructions, or telling stories.

For example, you might tell a friend what your teacher said in class, explain a colleague’s update during a meeting, or describe a conversation you had earlier in the day. 

It is so common in both spoken and written English that reported speech is an essential skill for effective communication.

Basic Rules of Reported Speech

When changing direct speech into reported speech, several parts of the sentence often need to change. These include verb tenses, pronouns, and time or place expressions.

Changes in verb tense

In many cases, the verb tense moves back one step when reporting something that was said in the past.

Direct speech:

• James said, “I work in London.”

Reported speech:

• James said that he worked in London.

Direct speech:

• Sarah said, “I am studying English.”

Reported speech:

• Sarah said that she was studying English.

This process is known as backshifting and helps show that the statement was made in the past.

Adjustments in pronouns

Pronouns often change to match the perspective of the person reporting the speech.

Direct speech:

• Maria said, “I love my new job.”

Reported speech:

• Maria said that she loved her new job.

Direct speech:

• David said to me, “You should try this restaurant.”

Reported speech:

• David told me that I should try that restaurant.

The pronouns must clearly show who is speaking and who is being referred to.

Modifications in time and place expressions

Words that refer to time and place often change when speech is reported later.

Common examples include:

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
now	then
today	that day
tonight	that night
tomorrow	the next day
yesterday	the previous day
last week	the previous week
next week	the following week
ago	before
here	there
this	that
these	those
come	go

Direct speech:

• Emma said, “I will finish this project tomorrow.”

Reported speech:

• Emma said that she would finish that project the next day.

These changes help keep the meaning clear when reporting information from a different time or place.

Reporting Statements

We use reported speech to communicate statements that someone has made. When reporting a statement, the sentence structure often changes to reflect the speaker’s message rather than their exact words.

Structure of reporting statements

The basic structure for reporting a statement is:

Subject + reporting verb + (that) + reported clause

For example:

• Sarah said that she was tired.
• Tom told me that he had finished the project.

The word that is optional in many situations, especially in spoken English.

• Sarah said she was tired.
• Tom told me he had finished the project.

Examples of reporting affirmative and negative statements

Affirmative statements

Direct speech:

• James said, “I enjoy learning English.”

Reported speech:

• James said that he enjoyed learning English.

Direct speech:

• Emma said, “I have completed the task.”

Reported speech:

• Emma said that she had completed the task.

Negative statements

Direct speech:

• David said, “I do not like coffee.”

Reported speech:

• David said that he did not like coffee.

Direct speech:

• Lisa said, “I cannot attend the meeting.”

Reported speech:

• Lisa said that she could not attend the meeting.

Common reporting verbs (say, tell, inform)

Several reporting verbs can introduce reported statements.

Say is the most common and does not usually require an object.

• The teacher said that the test would be difficult.

Tell requires an object that identifies who received the information.

• The teacher told the students that the test would be difficult.

Inform is more formal and is commonly used in professional or official contexts.

• The company informed customers that prices would increase next month.

Choosing the correct reporting verb helps make your reported speech more accurate and natural.

Reporting Questions

When reporting questions, we communicate what someone asked without repeating their exact words. Unlike direct questions, reported questions do not use question marks and follow normal sentence word order.

Structure of reporting questions

The basic structure is:

Subject + reporting verb + reported question

Common reporting verbs include ask, wonder, and want to know.

Direct speech:

• “Where do you live?” asked Sarah.

Reported speech:

• Sarah asked where I lived.

Notice that the reported question follows standard statement word order rather than question word order.

Differences between yes/no questions and wh- questions

Yes/No Questions

Questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no” use if or whether in reported speech.

Direct speech:

• “Do you speak Spanish?” asked Tom.

Reported speech:

• Tom asked if I spoke Spanish.

Direct speech:

• “Have you finished your work?” asked Emma.

Reported speech:

• Emma asked whether I had finished my work.

Wh- Questions

Questions beginning with words such as who, what, when, where, why, and how keep the question word in reported speech.

Direct speech:

• “Why are you late?” asked David.

Reported speech:

• David asked why I was late.

Direct speech:

• “When does the meeting start?” asked Lisa.

Reported speech:

• Lisa asked when the meeting started.

Examples of Reported Questions

Direct speech:

• “Where did you buy that book?” asked Sarah.

Reported speech:

• Sarah asked where I had bought that book.

Direct speech:

• “Can you help me?” asked Tom.

Reported speech:

• Tom asked if I could help him.

Direct speech:

• “What are you studying?” asked Emma.

Reported speech:

• Emma asked what I was studying.

Direct speech:

• “Did they arrive on time?” asked James.

Reported speech:

• James asked whether they had arrived on time.

By understanding the difference between yes/no questions and wh- questions, you can report conversations more accurately and naturally.

Reporting Commands and Requests

When reporting commands and requests, we explain what someone instructed, asked, or advised another person to do. Unlike reported statements and questions, reported commands and requests usually use an infinitive verb.

How to report commands and requests

The basic structure is:

Subject + reporting verb + object + infinitive

Common reporting verbs include tell, ask, order, advise, warn, and remind.

Direct speech:

• “Close the door,” said the teacher.

Reported speech:

• The teacher told the students to close the door.

Direct speech:

• “Please be quiet,” said Sarah.

Reported speech:

• Sarah asked everyone to be quiet.

Use of infinitive forms

Reported commands and requests typically use to + base verb.

Direct speech:

• “Call me tomorrow,” said Tom.

Reported speech:

• Tom told me to call him the next day.

For negative commands and requests, use not to + base verb.

Direct speech:

• “Don’t touch the painting,” said the guide.

Reported speech:

• The guide warned us not to touch the painting.

Direct speech:

• “Please don’t be late,” said Emma.

Reported speech:

• Emma asked me not to be late.

Examples to clarify the structure

Direct speech:

• “Finish your homework,” said Mum.

Reported speech:

• Mum told me to finish my homework.

Direct speech:

• “Please help me with this project,” said James.

Reported speech:

• James asked me to help him with the project.

Direct speech:

• “Do not enter this area,” said the security guard.

Reported speech:

• The security guard ordered us not to enter that area.

Direct speech:

• “Remember to bring your passport,” said Lisa.

Reported speech:

• Lisa reminded me to bring my passport.

Using infinitives correctly makes reported commands and requests clear, concise, and natural in English.

Special Cases in Reported Speech

While many reported speech rules follow predictable patterns, some situations require special attention. Modal verbs, context, and meaning can affect how a sentence changes when it is reported.

Reporting speech with modal verbs

Some modal verbs change when reported, while others usually remain the same.

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
will	would
can	could
may	might
shall	should
must	had to*

*In some cases, must can remain unchanged, particularly when expressing obligation that is still true.

Direct speech:

• “I will call you later,” said Tom.

Reported speech:

• Tom said that he would call me later.

Direct speech:

• “I can swim,” said Sarah.

Reported speech:

• Sarah said that she could swim.

However, some modal verbs often stay the same in reported speech, including could, would, might, should, ought to, and must (in certain contexts).

Handling changes in meaning

Sometimes a direct change in tense is not necessary because the information remains true or relevant.

Direct speech:

• The teacher said, “Water boils at 100°C.”

Reported speech:

• The teacher said that water boils at 100°C.

Because this is a scientific fact, the present tense remains unchanged.

Similarly, if the reported information is still true at the time of reporting, speakers may choose not to backshift the tense.

Direct speech:

• Anna said, “I live in London.”

Reported speech:

• Anna said that she lives in London.

This suggests that Anna still lives in London.

Examples of special cases

Direct speech:

• “You should get more sleep,” said the doctor.

Reported speech:

• The doctor said that I should get more sleep.

Direct speech:

• “We might visit Spain next year,” said James.

Reported speech:

• James said that they might visit Spain the following year.

Direct speech:

• “I must finish this report today,” said Emma.

Reported speech:

• Emma said that she had to finish that report that day.

Direct speech:

• “The Earth moves around the Sun,” said the teacher.

Reported speech:

• The teacher said that the Earth moves around the Sun.

Understanding these special cases will help you use reported speech more naturally and avoid mistakes when conveying information accurately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Reported speech can be challenging because several parts of a sentence may need to change at the same time. The most common mistakes will help you use reported speech more accurately and confidently.

Misusing verb tenses

One of the most frequent mistakes is forgetting to change the verb tense when reporting something said in the past.

Incorrect:

• Sarah said that she is tired.

Correct:

• Sarah said that she was tired.

Remember that many verb tenses move back one step when converting direct speech into reported speech.

Incorrect pronoun usage

Pronouns should change to reflect the perspective of the person reporting the speech. Using the original pronouns can make sentences confusing or incorrect.

Incorrect:

• Tom said that I was going to the shop. (when Tom was referring to himself)

Correct:

• Tom said that he was going to the shop.

Always check who each pronoun refers to before reporting the sentence.

Overlooking changes in time expressions

Many learners correctly change the verb tense but forget to update words related to time and place.

Incorrect:

• Emma said that she would finish the project tomorrow.

Correct:

• Emma said that she would finish the project the next day.

Similarly:

• today → that day
• yesterday → the previous day
• next week → the following week
• here → there

Paying attention to these small changes will make your reported speech sound much more natural and grammatically correct.

Practice Exercises

The best way to master reported speech is through regular practice. Try these exercises and activities to reinforce what you’ve learned and build confidence using reported speech in real-life situations.

Interactive exercises for readers

Convert the following direct speech sentences into reported speech:

1. Sarah said, “I am learning French.”
2. Tom said, “I will call you tomorrow.”
3. Emma asked, “Where do you live?”
4. James said, “I cannot attend the meeting.”
5. The teacher said, “Finish your homework.”

Answers

1. Sarah said that she was learning French.
2. Tom said that he would call me the next day.
3. Emma asked where I lived.
4. James said that he could not attend the meeting.
5. The teacher told the students to finish their homework.

Suggested activities to reinforce learning

A great way to practise reported speech is by reporting real conversations. After speaking with a friend, colleague, or family member, try summarising what they said using reported speech.

You can also:

• Rewrite dialogue from books, films, or TV shows using reported speech.
• Listen to interviews and report the speaker’s main points.
• Keep a daily journal where you describe conversations you had during the day.
• Practise changing direct speech into reported speech and back again.

Resources for further practice

To continue improving, look for grammar exercises, quizzes, and listening activities that focus on reported speech.

Language learning apps, English grammar websites, YouTube lessons, and online worksheets can all provide valuable practice.

The more you encounter and use reported speech in everyday situations, the more natural it will become.

Reported Speech in English FAQs

What Is Reported Speech in English?

Reported speech is a way of telling someone what another person said without repeating their exact words. It often involves changes to verb tenses, pronouns, and time expressions to accurately reflect the original meaning.

What Is the Difference Between Direct Speech and Reported Speech?

Direct speech repeats a speaker’s exact words and uses quotation marks, such as “I am tired,” said Sarah. Reported speech communicates the same idea without quoting the speaker directly, such as Sarah said that she was tired.

How Do Verb Tenses Change in Reported Speech?

When reporting something said in the past, verb tenses often move back one step. For example, “I work in London” becomes He said that he worked in London, and “I will call you tomorrow” becomes She said that she would call me the next day.

How Do You Report Questions in English?

Reported questions use statement word order rather than question word order. Yes/no questions are usually introduced with if or whether, while wh- questions keep words such as who, what, where, when, why, and how. For example, “Do you speak Spanish?” becomes He asked if I spoke Spanish.

How Do You Report Commands and Requests?

Commands and requests are typically reported using an infinitive structure. For example, “Close the door” becomes The teacher told the students to close the door, while “Please don’t be late” becomes She asked me not to be late. This structure helps clearly communicate instructions, requests, and advice in reported speech.