Changes in Reported Speech

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 130 views

Introduction

In English language, reported speech is a crucial aspect of communication that allows speakers to convey messages to others in a more formal and polite manner. It involves quoting someone's words, thoughts, or feelings, and is often used in various contexts, including everyday conversations, formal speeches, and written communication. In this article, we will explore the basics of reported speech, its importance, and provide examples of how to use it effectively.

What is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is a way of quoting someone's words, thoughts, or feelings, using the verb "say" or "tell" to indicate that the words are being reported. It is often used to convey information, express opinions, or share experiences with others. Reported speech can be direct or indirect, depending on how the original words are quoted.

Direct Reported Speech

Direct reported speech involves quoting the original words exactly, without changing their form or structure. It is often used in informal conversations or when quoting someone's exact words. Here are some examples:

The boys said, "We are watching a movie."
He said to me, "He is sleeping now."
Mother said to me, "I have taken tea today."
Arun said to you, "My dog died yesterday."
She said to me, "I was listening to music."

Indirect Reported Speech

Indirect reported speech involves changing the original words to make them more formal or polite. It is often used in formal conversations, written communication, or when quoting someone's words in a more formal setting. Here are some examples:

The boys said that they were watching a movie.
He told me that he was sleeping now.
Mother told me that she had taken tea today.
Arun told you that his dog had died yesterday.
She told me that she had been listening to music.

Changes in Reported Speech

When changing from direct to indirect reported speech, several changes may occur, including:

Tense changes: The tense of the verb may change to match the time of the reported speech.
Modal verb changes: Modal verbs like "can," "could," "may," and "might" may change to "could," "might," "could have," and "might have," respectively.
Word order changes: The word order may change to make the sentence more formal or polite.

Examples of Reported Speech

Here are some examples of reported speech in different contexts:

Formal conversation: "I'm going to the store," said John. (Direct reported speech) "John said that he was going to the store." (Indirect reported speech)
Informal conversation: "I'm so tired," said Sarah. (Direct reported speech) "Sarah said she was so tired." (Indirect reported speech)
Written communication: "The company said that they would increase the salary of their employees." (Indirect reported speech)

Tips for Using Reported Speech Effectively

Here are some tips for using reported speech effectively:

Use reported speech to convey information: Reported speech is a great way to convey information, express opinions, or share experiences with others.
Use direct reported speech in informal conversations: Direct reported speech is often used in informal conversations or when quoting someone's exact words.
Use indirect reported speech in formal conversations: Indirect reported speech is often used in formal conversations, written communication, or when quoting someone's words in a more formal setting.
Be mindful of tense and modal verb changes: When changing from direct to indirect reported speech, be mindful of tense and modal verb changes to ensure that the sentence is grammatically correct.

Conclusion

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

A: Direct reported speech involves quoting the original words exactly, without changing their form or structure. Indirect reported speech, on the other hand, involves changing the original words to make them more formal or polite.

Q: When should I use direct reported speech?

A: You should use direct reported speech in informal conversations or when quoting someone's exact words. For example, "He said, 'I'm going to the store.'" is a direct reported speech.

Q: When should I use indirect reported speech?

A: You should use indirect reported speech in formal conversations, written communication, or when quoting someone's words in a more formal setting. For example, "He said that he was going to the store." is an indirect reported speech.

Q: What are the changes that occur when changing from direct to indirect reported speech?

A: When changing from direct to indirect reported speech, several changes may occur, including:

Tense changes: The tense of the verb may change to match the time of the reported speech.
Modal verb changes: Modal verbs like "can," "could," "may," and "might" may change to "could," "might," "could have," and "might have," respectively.
Word order changes: The word order may change to make the sentence more formal or polite.

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

A: To change the tense of the verb in indirect reported speech, you need to match the tense of the verb to the time of the reported speech. For example:

Present simple: "I am going to the store." becomes "He said that he was going to the store."
Present continuous: "I am watching a movie." becomes "He said that he was watching a movie."
Past simple: "I went to the store." becomes "He said that he had gone to the store."

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

A: To change the modal verb in indirect reported speech, you need to change the modal verb to match the time of the reported speech. For example:

Can: "I can speak English." becomes "He said that he could speak English."
Could: "I could speak English." becomes "He said that he might have spoken English."
May: "I may speak English." becomes "He said that he might speak English."

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

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

Incorrect tense changes: Failing to change the tense of the verb to match the time of the reported speech.
Incorrect modal verb changes: Failing to change the modal verb to match the time of the reported speech.
Incorrect word order changes: Failing to change the word order to make the sentence more formal or polite.

Q: How can I practice reported speech?

A: You can practice reported speech by:

Reading and listening to examples: Read and listen to examples of reported speech to get a feel for how it is used in different contexts.
Practicing with a partner: Practice reported speech with a partner by taking turns quoting each other's words and changing them to indirect reported speech.
Writing and speaking exercises: Write and speak exercises that involve using reported speech in different contexts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reported speech is a crucial aspect of English language communication that allows speakers to convey messages to others in a more formal and polite manner. By understanding the basics of reported speech, its importance, and how to use it effectively, you can improve your communication skills and convey your message more clearly. Remember to use direct reported speech in informal conversations and indirect reported speech in formal conversations, and be mindful of tense and modal verb changes to ensure that your sentence is grammatically correct.