Briefly about Direct and Reported Speech

Changes of Tenses in Reported Speech

When changing from direct to reported speech, the tense usually shifts back one step in time.

Direct Speech (Present) – Reported Speech (Past)

• Present Simple: “I am tired.” – Past Simple: He said he was tired.
• Present Continuous: “She is reading.” – Past Continuous: He said she was reading.
• Present Perfect: “I have finished.” Past Perfect: He said he had finished.

Direct Speech (Past) – Reported Speech (Past Perfect)

• Past Simple: “I saw him.” – Past Perfect: He said he had seen him.
• Past Continuous: “I was cooking.” – Past Perfect Continuous: He said he had been cooking.

No change of tense if:

• The reporting verb is in the present.
• The statement is still true or general knowledge.

Changes of Words

Some words change in reported speech to reflect time or place.

Direct Speech – Reported Speech:

• now – then
• today – that day
• tomorrow – the next day / following day
• yesterday – the day before
• here – there
• this – that
• these – those

Types of Sentences

Narrative Sentences

Direct: He said, “I love London.” Reported: He said that he loved London. He told me that he loved London.

Yes/No Questions

Direct: “Do you like chocolate?” – Reported: She asked if/whether I liked chocolate.

Wh- Questions

Direct: “Where are you going?” – Reported: He asked where I was going.

Orders and Commands (Imperative Sentences)

Direct: “Close the door.” – Reported: She told me to close the door.
Negative: “Don’t be late.” – Reported: He told me not to be late.

Exclamatory Sentences

Direct: “What a beautiful day!” – Reported: She said what a beautiful day it was.

Suggestions in Reported Speech:

When reporting suggestions, common verbs like suggest, advise, or recommend are used. Suggestions can be made with or without using modal verbs like should.

The verbs suggest and recommend are followed by a gerund or that-clause.

• Direct Speech: “Let’s go to the park.” – Reported Speech: He suggested going to the park. OR He suggested that we go to the park.
• Direct Speech: “You should try this new restaurant.” – Reported Speech: She recommended that I try the new restaurant.
• Direct Speech: “You should study more.” – Reported Speech: He advised me that I should study more.
• Direct Speech: “We should book tickets early.” – Reported Speech: They recommended that we should book tickets early.
• Direct Speech: “Don’t eat too much sugar.” –  Reported Speech: The doctor advised me not to eat too much sugar.
• Direct Speech: “You should avoid driving late at night.” – Reported Speech: She suggested avoiding driving late at night.

Reportive Verbs in Reported Speech

Reportive (or reporting) verbs are used to introduce reported speech. These verbs reflect the speaker’s intention, attitude, or purpose, such as suggesting, commanding, asking, or informing. Reportive verbs help clarify the type of speech being reported, and they determine the structure (that-clause, to-infinitive, gerund, etc.) that follows.

Verbs for Reporting Statements

These verbs introduce statements and often use a that-clause.

• say
  He said (that) he was tired.
• tell (requires an object)
  She told me (that) she was happy.
• mention
  He mentioned (that) he would be late.
• claim
  She claimed (that) she knew the answer.
• explain
  He explained (that) the train was delayed.
• admit
  She admitted (that) she had made a mistake.

Verbs for Reporting Questions

• ask
  She asked if I had seen the movie.
• inquire
  He inquired where the office was.
• wonder
  She wondered why he was late.
• want to know
  He wanted to know when the meeting started.

Verbs for Reporting Commands or Requests

Followed by an object + to-infinitive or not to for negatives.

• tell
  She told me to close the door.
• ask
  He asked me to help him.
• order
  The officer ordered them to stay back.
• advise
  She advised me to take a break.
• warn
  He warned us not to touch the wire.

 Verbs for Reporting Feelings or Reactions

• complain
  She complained that the room was too cold.
• promise
  He promised to finish the work.
• apologize
  He apologized for being late.
• agree
  They agreed to meet the next day.

I hope now you don’t have problems changing from direct to reported speech.