LANG CHEAT SHEET

Reported Speech

We use reported speech to tell someone what another person said, without quoting their exact words.

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  • We use reported speech to tell someone what another person said, without quoting their exact words.
  • Verb tense usually shifts "one step back" (backshift): present simple -> past simple, present continuous -> past continuous, present perfect -> past perfect, will -> would, can -> could.
  • Pronouns and time/place words also change to fit the new context: "I" -> "he/she", "today" -> "that day", "here" -> "there".
PRONOUN
+
-
Statements (backshift)
He said, "I like coffee." -> He said (that) he liked coffee.
She said, "I don't like tea." -> She said (that) she didn't like tea.
Questions
She asked, "Where do you live?" -> She asked me where I lived.
He didn't ask where I worked.
Commands / Requests
The teacher said, "Close the door." -> The teacher told me to close the door.
The teacher told me not to talk.
PRONOUN
QUESTION
ANSWER
Statements (backshift)
Did he say he liked coffee?
Yes, he said he liked coffee.
Questions
What did she ask you?
She asked me where I lived.
Commands / Requests
What did the teacher tell you to do?
She told me to close the door.

Complete the sentences with the correct reported speech form.

  1. He said, "I am hungry." -> He said (that) he hungry.
  2. She said, "I am watching TV." -> She said (that) she TV.
  3. "I will call you," he said. -> He said (that) he me.
  4. "I can swim," she said. -> She said (that) she
  5. "I have finished," he said. -> He said (that) he
  6. She asked, "Where do you live?" -> She asked me where I
  7. He asked, "What time is it?" -> He asked what time it
  8. The teacher said, "Close the door." -> The teacher told me to the door.