wat is reported speech???????


If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

Statements

When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

 

  • pronouns
  • present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
  • place and time expressions
  • tenses (backshift)
TypeExample
direct speech“I speak English.”
reported speech
(no backshift)
He says that he speaks English.
reported speech
(backshift)
He said that he spoke English
 

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If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

Statements

When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

 

  • pronouns
  • present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
  • place and time expressions
  • tenses (backshift)
TypeExample
direct speech“I speak English.”
reported speech
(no backshift)
He says that he speaks English.
reported speech
(backshift)
He said that he spoke English
 

  • 3

Hello,

@Trisha, your friend Akshita has given a very nice effort in explaining the concept of reported speech to you. Hope that helped you to a great extent.

@Akshita, very well done! Keep up the spirit! You get a thumbs up from Meritnation expert on your effort!

  • 3
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