Reported Speech

I. Changing Tenses

Tense Change Direct Speech Reported Speech

Simple present→ simple past « I work in a company» she She said that she worked in a
said company.
Present continuous → past « We are travelling to Agadir They said that they were
continuous tomorrow» They said travelling to Agadir the next
day.
Simple Past → past perfect « I had a terrible night Karim said that he had had a
yesterday» Karim said terrible night the day before.
Present perfect → past « We have never visited Japan» I explained that we had never
perfect I explained visited Japan.
Past perfect → past perfect « he had been in Egypt last She said that he had been in
month» she said Egypt the month before.
Will → would «You will not be invited to the He said that I would not be
Can → could wedding» he said invited to the party.
May → might
Must → had to «He may organize a party next They said that he might
week» They said organize a part the following
week.

II. Changing Time & Place Expressions

Direct Speech Reported Speech

Now Then
Here There
This That
These Those
Today That day
Tonight That night
Tomorrow The next day
Yesterday The day before
Last month The previous month – The month before
Next week The following week
2 days ago 2 days before

III. Changing Pronouns

Pronouns change according to context. However, the following guidelines may help you.

He -She – It – They Don’t change

Him – Her – It – Them
His – her – its - their
I When the speaker is a man « I → He «  - ex ; he
said
When the speaker is a woman « I → she « ex ;
 she said
We We → They ( when the speaker is « he – she-
they» -ex ; he said ; she said ; they said

we → we ( when the speaker is «I» )

ex ; I said

IV. Reporting Questions

a. Yes/No questions

Direct Speech Reported Speech

« Are you the teacher ?» He asked He asked if I was the new teacher

« Was the book interesting ?» She asked me She asked me whether the book was interesting

« Have they lived here since October ?» Karen Karen asked if they had lived there since
asked October

b. Wh- Questions

Direct Speech Reported Speech

« When were you born ?» She asked me She asked me when I had been born.

« Why is she so angry ?» They asked They asked why she was so angry.

« What time has the film started ?» He asked He asked what time the film had started.

V. Reporting Commands, Requests, Advice.

Direct Speech Reported Speech

«Close the door « the teacher ordered The teacher ordered to close the door

« I think you should visit a doctor» he advised He advised me to visit a doctor.

me

« Can I please use your computer?» she asked She asked to use my computer

« Don’t eat too much» Maria advised me Maria advised me not to eat too much