MY CLASSROOM: REPORTED SPEECH

REPORTED SPEECH TIPS

WE USE REPORTED SPEECH WHEN WE ARE SAYING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY, THINK OR BELIEVE.

He says he likes it.

They believe you are right.

I think he loves you.

Yesterday you said you didn't want it but now you do!

He told me he had asked her to marry him.

WHEN WE ARE REPORTING THINGS IN THE PRESENT, FUTURE OR PRESENT PERFECT WE DON'T CHANGE THE TENSE.

She thinks he loves her.

I'll tell them you are coming.

WHEN WE TELL PEOPLE WHAT SOMEONE HAS SAID IN THE PAST, WE GENERALLY MAKE THE TENSE 'MORE IN THE PAST'.

You look very nice. = I told him he looked very nice.
He's working in Siberia now. = She told me he was working in Siberia now.
Polly has bought a new car. = She said Polly had bought a new car.
Jo can't come for the weekend. = She said Jo couldn't come for the weekend.
Paul called and left a message. = He told me Paul had called and had left me a message.
I'll give you a hand. = He said he would give me a hand.

However, when we are reporting something that was said in the past but is still true, it is not obligatory to make the tense 'more in the past'. The choice is up to the speaker. For example:

"The train doesn't stop here."

He said the train doesn't stop here.

He said the train didn't stop here.

"I like Sarah."

She said she likes Sarah.

She said she liked Sarah.

WHEN WE ARE REPORTING WHAT WAS SAID, WE SOMETIMES HAVE TO CHANGE OTHER WORDS IN THE SENTENCE.

WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE PRONOUN IF WE ARE REPORTING WHAT SOMEONE ELSE SAID. COMPARE THESE TWO SENTENCES. IN EACH CASE THE PERSON ACTUALLY SAID "I DON'T WANT TO GO."

I said I didn't want to go.

Bill said he didn't want to go.

WE HAVE TO CHANGE WORDS REFERRING TO 'HERE AND NOW' IF WE ARE REPORTING WHAT WAS SAID IN A DIFFERENT PLACE OR TIME.