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Reported Speech
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
pronouns
tenses (backshift)
Type Example
Questions
pronouns
tenses (backshift)
Type Example
direct speech “Why don’t you speak English?”
with interrogative He asked me
reported speech
why I didn’t speak English.
Requests
pronouns
Type Example
Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example:
Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note the change of pronouns and tenses.
→ Martin asked us
→ He asked
→ He wanted to know
→ She asked me
→ My friend asked me
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with backshift
Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note whether the sentence is a request, a statement or a question.
→ He said
2. "Where is your sister?" she asked me.
→ She asked me
→ She said
→ They asked me
→ He said
→ He said
→ He wanted to know
10. "Don't try this at home," the stuntman told the audience.
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