GRAMMAR

REPORTED SPEECH
Reported speech is when you tell somebody else what you or a person said before.
In reported speech, we often have to change the pronoun.
Example:
He says, ‘I write poems.’ Direct speech
He says (that) he writes poems. Indirect (reported) speech

Introducing verb

 If the reporting verb is in the present, there is no backshift of tenses in reported speech.
 If the reporting verb is in the past, there is often backshift of tenses in reported speech.
Direct speech Reported speech

No backshift Kamal says,‘I write poems.’ Kamal says (that) he writes poems.
Backshift Kamal said,‘I write poems.’ Kamal said (that) he wrote poems.
* Different changes in reported speech if the introducing verb is in the past.
Direct speech Reported speech
Simple present Simple past
Present continuous Past continuous
Simple past Past perfect
Tenses Present perfect Past perfect
Past perfect Past perfect
Simple future conditional
can could
will would
Modals shall should
must had to
may might
have to had to
could/would/should/might could/would/should/might
Now then
today that day
Time and place tonight That night
adverbs yesterday The previous day/the day before
last ……… The previous …/ the ….. before
…….. ago ….. before
tomorrow The following day / the next day
next …….. The following …../ the ….. after
here there
this that
Demonstratives
These Those
Examples
Direct speech Reported speech
« I know quite a lot of people here » Robert said. Robert said that he knew quite a lot of people there.
Present Simple Simple past
“John is feeling much better” Paul said. Paul said that John was feeling much better.
Present Continuous Past Continuous
“I enjoyed my holiday in the states”. David said. David said that he had enjoyed his holiday in the states.
Past Simple Past perfect
“They have seen the Eiffel Tower” John said. John said that they had seen the Eiffel Tower.
Present Perfect Past Perfect
“Nobody had warned them about the storm” he said. He said that nobody had warned them about the storm.
Past Perfect Past Perfect
“I will be here with you” Jack promised me. Jack promised that he would be there with me.
Future Simple Conditional present