Converting direct speech into reported speech is a fundamental skill in English, crucial for both everyday communication and excelling in exams like the Cambridge English Exam. This guide will break down the rules, making the process clear and easy to understand. We'll cover everything from verb tense changes to shifts in pronouns, time, place, and how to report questions, commands, and suggestions effectively.
Mastering the Art of Converting Direct to Reported Speech
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is when we tell someone what another person said without using their exact words. The core concept involves a "backshift" of tenses, along with changes to pronouns, time expressions, and place expressions to reflect the change in perspective.
The Essential Backshift of Verb Tenses
When converting direct speech to reported speech, verb tenses typically shift backward in time. This is one of the most important rules to remember.
- Simple Present becomes Simple Past
- Direct: "I am a carpenter." β Reported: "He said that he was a carpenter."
- Present Continuous becomes Past Continuous
- Direct: "I'm working at the moment." β Reported: "He said that he was working at that moment."
- Simple Past becomes Past Perfect Simple
- Direct: "I was there last year." β Reported: "He said that he had been there the year before."
- Past Continuous becomes Past Perfect Continuous
- Direct: "I was working when you came in." β Reported: "He said that he had been working when I had come in."
- Past Perfect Simple remains Past Perfect Simple
- Direct: "I had finished my homework when he came in." β Reported: "He said that he had finished his homework when he had come in."
- Past Perfect Continuous remains Past Perfect Continuous
- Direct: "I had been working for two hours when John showed up." β Reported: "He said that he had been working for two hours when John had showed up."
- Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect Simple
- Direct: "I have already done it." β Reported: "He said that he had already done it."
- Present Perfect Continuous becomes Past Perfect Continuous
- Direct: "I have been working here for two years." β Reported: "He said that he had been working there for two years."
- Future Simple (will) becomes Would
- Direct: "I will finish tomorrow." β Reported: "He said that he would finish the next day."
- Future Perfect (will have) becomes Would have
- Direct: "By next month, I will have finished my book." β Reported: "He said that by the following month he would have finished his book."
Reporting Passive Voice Statements
Even passive voice sentences undergo backshifting in reported speech.
- Present Passive becomes Past Passive
- Direct: "The book is written in English." β Reported: "He said that that book was written in English."
- Present Passive Continuous becomes Past Passive Continuous
- Direct: "Many shops are being opened in the city centre." β Reported: "He said that many shop were being opened in the city centre."
Changing Pronouns in Reported Speech
Pronouns shift to reflect the speaker and listener of the reported statement, not the original direct speech. This ensures clarity about who is referring to whom.
- I β he, she
- me β him, her
- my β his, her, the
- mine β his, hers
- we β they
- us β them
- our β their, the
- ours β theirs
- you β they, them (plural); he, she, him, her (singular, depending on context)
- yours β theirs
- this β that, the
- these β those, the
- this book β that book
Adjusting Place and Time Expressions
Words indicating time and place need to be adjusted because the context of the reported speech is different from the direct speech.
Place Expressions:
- here β there
- there β there (remains the same)
- in this room β in that room
Time Expressions:
- today β that day
- tomorrow β the next day / the following day
- now β at that moment / then
- at the moment β at that moment / time
- present, current β existing, current
- in one hour β one hour later
- last week, last night β the week, the night before
- next year, next month, etc. β the following year, the following month, etc.
- yesterday β the day before
- this evening β that evening
- ...days ago β...days before
- tonight β that night
- in two week's time β two weeks later
- ago β before
Handling Modals in Indirect Speech
Modals often change in reported speech, though some, like 'should', remain the same.
- Can (ability, present) β could
- Can (ability, future) β would be able to
- may (possibility) β might
- may (permission, present) β could
- may (permission, future) β would be allowed to
- must (obligation, present) β must / had to
- must (obligation, future) β must / would have to
- needn't (necessity, present) β didn't have to / didn't need to
- needn't (necessity, future) β wouldn't have to
- shall (future time) β would
- shall (offers, suggestions) β should
- should (advice / criticism) β should (remains the same)
- will β would
Reporting Questions Effectively
When reporting questions, the word order changes from question form to statement form, and 'if' or 'whether' is used for yes/no questions.
- Direct: "Do you like...?" β Reported: "He asked me if I liked..."
- Direct: "Will you come...?" β Reported: "He asked me if I would come..."
- Direct: "Are you feeling...?" β Reported: "He asked me if I was feeling..."
- Direct: "Did you do...?" β Reported: "He asked me if I had done..."
- Direct: "Have you finished...?" β Reported: "He asked me if I had finished..."
- Direct: "Were you there last...?" β Reported: "He asked me if I had been there last..."
- Direct: "What are you doing?" β Reported: "He asked me what I was doing."
- Direct: "Where are you going?" β Reported: "He asked me where I was going."
- Direct: "Who are you here with?" β Reported: "He asked me who I was there with."
- Direct: "When are you leaving?" β Reported: "He asked me when I was leaving."
- Direct: "How are you going to do it?" β Reported: "He asked me how I was going to do it."
Transforming Direct Commands into Reported Commands
Commands are reported using an infinitive verb phrase (to + verb) and often introductory verbs like 'told' or 'ordered'.
- Direct: "Do your homework!" β Reported: "Dad told me to do my homework."
- Direct: "Don't talk in class!" β Reported: "My teacher told me not to talk in class."
- Direct: "Be quiet!" β Reported: "He told us to be quiet."
Reporting Suggestions Clearly
Suggestions can be reported using verbs like 'suggested' followed by a gerund or a 'that' clause.
- Direct: "Let's watch a film." β Reported: "He suggested watching a film." OR "He suggested that we watch a film."
- Direct: "Why don't you go to the doctor?" β Reported: "He suggested that I go to the doctor."
- Direct: "I don't think you should do it today." β Reported: "He suggested that I not do it that day."
Frequently Asked Questions about Reported Speech
What is the main rule for verb tense changes in reported speech?
The main rule is the "backshift of tenses." Most tenses shift one step back into the past. For example, simple present becomes simple past, and present continuous becomes past continuous. Past perfect simple and continuous generally remain unchanged.
Do I always have to backshift tenses when converting to reported speech?
No, not always. If the reported statement is still true or refers to a future event that is still relevant, or if the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g., "He says"), the tenses might not backshift. However, for most exam contexts and general usage, backshifting is the standard practice.
How do pronouns change when I convert direct speech to reported speech?
Pronouns change to reflect the perspective of the person reporting the speech. For instance, "I" from direct speech might become "he" or "she" in reported speech, and "you" might become "I," "we," "they," "him," or "her" depending on the context of the original conversation and who is reporting it.
What happens to time expressions like 'tomorrow' or 'last week' in reported speech?
Time expressions change to reflect the delay between the direct speech and the reported speech. "Tomorrow" becomes "the next day" or "the following day." "Last week" becomes "the week before." These changes clarify that the event happened relative to the original statement's time, not the reporting time.
Can I use "that" after the reporting verb (e.g., "He said that...")?
Yes, "that" is often used after reporting verbs like "said" or "told" (when followed by an object pronoun, e.g., "He told me that..."). It is grammatically correct and helps introduce the reported clause. While optional in many cases, especially in informal speech, it's generally good practice to include it for clarity, particularly in formal writing and exams.