REPORTED SPEECH

BACKSHIFT

USE
Reported speech is used to talk about or report, something that was asked or said in the past.
Use ask, tell and say as reporting verbs.

DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED SPEECH

Present Simple Past Simple
I travel a lot in my job. He said (that) he travelled a lot in his job.
Present Continuous Past Continuous
I am doing my homework. He told me (that) He was doing his homework.
Present Perfect Past Perfect
I have planned an exciting trip. She said (that) she had planned an exciting trip.
Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous
I have been waiting for an hour. He said (that) he had been waiting for an hour.
Past Simple Past Perfect
I saw a Helen at a party. She said (that) she had seen Helen at a party.
Will Would
She will invite john to the wedding. She said (that) she would invite John to her
wedding.
Can Could
She can’t go to the cinema with us. She said (that) she couldn’t go to the cinema with
us.
May Might
We may go out with friends. They said (that) they might go out.
Must Had to
I must do my homework. He said he had to do his homework.

EXPRESSIONS OF TIME AND PLACE

DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED SPEECH
Today That day
Yesterday The day before
The day before yesterday Two days before
Tomorrow Next day / the following day
The day after tomorrow In two days time
Next week/ year etc. The following week/ year etc.
Last week/ year etc. The previous week/ year etc.
A year ago, etc. A year before/ the previous year.

Notice! If the speech is made and reported on the same day the conversation took place;
these changes on time expressions are not necessary.

MARIO DIAZ / ABC ENGLISH