Grammar › Reported Speech
Reported Speech
Reported speech tells what someone said without their exact words. The key changes are:
- Backshift the tense — "I'm tired" → She said she was tired.
- Change pronouns — "I like your car" → He said he liked my car.
- Change time and place words — now → then, here → there, tomorrow → the next day.
Backshift is normal after a past reporting verb (said, told). Questions and commands change structure too — see the lessons below.
| Topic | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reported Statements & Backshift | Reporting what someone said | "I'm tired." → She said she was tired. |
| Reported Questions | Reporting questions | "Where do you live?" → She asked where I lived. |
| Reported Commands & Requests | Reporting orders and requests | "Sit down." → He told me to sit down. |
| Say vs Tell | Choosing the right reporting verb | She said hello. She told me a secret. |
| Reporting Verbs | Verbs like advise, suggest, promise | He offered to help. She suggested leaving. |
Where do I start?
- Reporting what someone stated? → statements & backshift (She said she was busy).
- Reporting a question? → reported questions (He asked where I lived).
- Reporting an order or request? → commands & requests (She told me to wait).
- Not sure whether to use say or tell? → say vs tell.
Related grammar points
- Changes in Reported Speech — Pronouns, time and place words
- Reported Speech without Backshift — When to keep the original tense
Frequently asked questions
What is reported speech?
Reported (or indirect) speech is telling someone what another person said without using their exact words: "I'm busy" → She said she was busy. Direct speech uses quotation marks; reported speech does not.
What is backshift?
When the reporting verb is in the past (said, told), the tense usually moves one step back: present simple → past simple, will → would, can → could. "I live here" → She said she lived there.
Do I always have to backshift?
Not always. If what was said is still true or the reporting verb is present, you can keep the tense: She says she is tired. Backshift is normal after a past reporting verb.
How do pronouns and time words change?
They shift to fit the new speaker and moment: I → she, my → her, now → then, today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, here → there.