Basic Rules of Reported Speech

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 42 views

Understanding Reported Speech

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way of expressing what someone has said in their own words. It is used to convey the message of the original speaker, but in a more formal or polite tone. In reported speech, the original words are not repeated verbatim, but rather paraphrased to make the message more suitable for the context in which it is being communicated.

Basic Rules of Reported Speech

To complete the sentence in the reported speech, we need to follow some basic rules. The first rule is to change the verb tense from the original statement to the past tense. For example, if the original statement is "I like mangoes," the reported speech would be "Esi said she liked mangoes." The second rule is to change the subject pronoun from "I" to "she" or "he," depending on the original speaker.

Changing the Verb Tense

When changing the verb tense from the original statement to the reported speech, we need to consider the context in which the statement was made. If the original statement was made in the present tense, we need to change it to the past tense. For example, "I like mangoes" becomes "Esi said she liked mangoes." If the original statement was made in the past tense, we need to change it to the past perfect tense. For example, "I liked mangoes" becomes "Esi said she had liked mangoes."

Changing the Subject Pronoun

When changing the subject pronoun from "I" to "she" or "he," we need to consider the original speaker. If the original speaker was a female, we need to change the subject pronoun to "she." For example, "I like mangoes" becomes "Esi said she liked mangoes." If the original speaker was a male, we need to change the subject pronoun to "he." For example, "I like mangoes" becomes "Esi said he liked mangoes."

Examples of Reported Speech

Here are some examples of reported speech:

Original statement: "I like mangoes." Reported speech: "Esi said she liked mangoes."
Original statement: "I am going to the store." Reported speech: "Esi said she was going to the store."
Original statement: "I liked mangoes." Reported speech: "Esi said she had liked mangoes."

Tips for Completing the Sentence in Reported Speech

Here are some tips for completing the sentence in reported speech:

Change the verb tense from the original statement to the past tense.
Change the subject pronoun from "I" to "she" or "he," depending on the original speaker.
Consider the context in which the statement was made.
Use the correct verb form to match the subject pronoun.

Conclusion

Completing the sentence in reported speech requires a good understanding of the basic rules and tips. By changing the verb tense and subject pronoun, we can convey the message of the original speaker in a more formal or polite tone. With practice, you can become proficient in completing the sentence in reported speech and improve your communication skills.

Common Errors in Reported Speech

Here are some common errors in reported speech:

Incorrect verb tense: Changing the verb tense from the original statement to the reported speech incorrectly.
Incorrect subject pronoun: Changing the subject pronoun from "I" to "she" or "he" incorrectly.
Lack of context: Failing to consider the context in which the statement was made.
Incorrect verb form: Using the incorrect verb form to match the subject pronoun.

Correcting Common Errors in Reported Speech

Here are some tips for correcting common errors in reported speech:

Check the verb tense: Make sure to change the verb tense from the original statement to the past tense.
Check the subject pronoun: Make sure to change the subject pronoun from "I" to "she" or "he," depending on the original speaker.
Consider the context: Make sure to consider the context in which the statement was made.
Use the correct verb form: Make sure to use the correct verb form to match the subject pronoun.

Practice Exercises

Here are some practice exercises to help you complete the sentence in reported speech:

Original statement: "I am going to the store." Reported speech: _______________________________________
Original statement: "I liked mangoes." Reported speech: _______________________________________
Original statement: "I am happy." Reported speech: _______________________________________

Answer Key

Here are the answers to the practice exercises:

Original statement: "I am going to the store." Reported speech: "Esi said she was going to the store."
Original statement: "I liked mangoes." Reported speech: "Esi said she had liked mangoes."
Original statement: "I am happy." Reported speech: "Esi said she was happy."

Conclusion

Q: What is reported speech?

A: Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way of expressing what someone has said in their own words. It is used to convey the message of the original speaker, but in a more formal or polite tone.

Q: How do I change the verb tense in reported speech?

A: To change the verb tense in reported speech, you need to change the verb from the original statement to the past tense. For example, "I like mangoes" becomes "Esi said she liked mangoes."

Q: How do I change the subject pronoun in reported speech?

A: To change the subject pronoun in reported speech, you need to change the pronoun from "I" to "she" or "he," depending on the original speaker. For example, "I like mangoes" becomes "Esi said she liked mangoes."

Q: What is the difference between direct and indirect speech?

A: Direct speech is when the original words are repeated verbatim, while indirect speech is when the original words are paraphrased to make the message more suitable for the context.

Q: When do I use reported speech?

A: You use reported speech when you want to convey the message of the original speaker in a more formal or polite tone. It is often used in writing, such as in essays, reports, and letters.

Q: Can I use reported speech in spoken language?

A: Yes, you can use reported speech in spoken language, but it is less common than in writing. It is often used in formal or professional settings, such as in business meetings or presentations.

Q: How do I know when to use reported speech?

A: You can use reported speech when you want to:

Convey the message of the original speaker in a more formal or polite tone.
Avoid direct quotes, which can be seen as confrontational or aggressive.
Provide more context or background information about the original speaker's statement.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid in reported speech?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid in reported speech include:

Incorrect verb tense.
Incorrect subject pronoun.
Lack of context.
Incorrect verb form.

Q: How can I practice reported speech?

A: You can practice reported speech by:

Reading and writing in different styles, such as formal and informal.
Listening to and repeating conversations in different contexts.
Practicing with a partner or tutor to get feedback on your use of reported speech.

Q: Can I use reported speech with other grammatical structures?

A: Yes, you can use reported speech with other grammatical structures, such as conditional and subjunctive moods. However, you need to be careful to use the correct verb form and tense to match the context.

Q: How can I use reported speech in different contexts?

A: You can use reported speech in different contexts, such as:

In formal writing, such as essays and reports.
In business and professional settings, such as meetings and presentations.
In spoken language, such as in conversations and debates.

Q: What are some benefits of using reported speech?

A: Some benefits of using reported speech include:

Conveying the message of the original speaker in a more formal or polite tone.
Providing more context or background information about the original speaker's statement.
Avoiding direct quotes, which can be seen as confrontational or aggressive.

Q: What are some challenges of using reported speech?

A: Some challenges of using reported speech include:

Changing the verb tense and subject pronoun correctly.
Providing enough context or background information about the original speaker's statement.
Avoiding common mistakes, such as incorrect verb tense and subject pronoun.

Q: How can I overcome the challenges of using reported speech?

A: You can overcome the challenges of using reported speech by:

Practicing with a partner or tutor to get feedback on your use of reported speech.
Reading and writing in different styles, such as formal and informal.
Listening to and repeating conversations in different contexts.