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Merrymaking 12

Reported speech

When we make a reported speech statement, it means that we report the statement by making
changes on it. In reported speech, we may need to change the pronouns, verb tenses, and time
phrases in the original statement.
The reporting verbs say and tell are used to report a statement. The reporting verb say isn’t followed by
an object pronoun; we can use it after tell. Also, using that after these words is optional. We don’t have
to use it in every sentence.
e.g.
“I can help you with the project.”
Brian said (that) he could help me with my project.
“I enjoy playing board games.”
Rita told Jane (that) she enjoyed playing board games.

See the changes to pronouns, verb tenses, time, and place expressions in the tables below:

Direct speech Reported speech

“I visit my old friends twice a year.” Mia said (that) she visited her old friends twice a year.
(present simple tense) (simple past tense)

“I am reading an important article at Denis told me (that) he was reading an important
the moment.” article at that time.
(present continuous tense) (past continuous tense)
“Nina moved to Russia last year.” He told me (that) Nina had moved to Russia the
(simple past tense) previous year.
(past perfect tense)

“I‘ve seen this film before.” Carol said (that) she had seen that film before.
(present perfect tense) (past perfect tense)

“We will buy this house next weekend.” They told me (that) they would buy that house next/
(simple future tense – will) the following weekend.
(would)

“You must fasten your seatbelt.” The police said (that) I must fasten my seatbelt.
(modal – must) (no change)

now then Note: We don’t change the modal verbs mustn’t, would,
should, could, had to, and might in reported speech.
today that day
e.g.
tomorrow the next/following day The man said, “You mustn’t park here.”
The man said (that) I mustn’t park there.
next … the following …
Note: When we talk about habits or facts, we don’t turn
last … the previous …
present simple sentences into past simple sentences. We
this/these that/those only change the pronouns if required.
e.g.
here there
Mrs Sullivan said, “Water boils at 100°C.
Mrs Sullivan said (that) water boils at 100°C.

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