Practice Reported speech Rules and Exercises by downloading this Pdf. Reported speech is also known as the direct and indirect narration in English. It refers to when we report or repeat what someone has said, without directly quoting them. The following are some of the main rules in English grammar for forming reported speech:
- Timeshift: When converting direct speech to reported speech, the verb tense often needs to be changed to reflect the difference in time between the original speech and the reporting of it.
- Pronouns shift: Pronouns in direct speech may need to be changed in reported speech, to reflect the relationship between the speaker and the person being quoted.
- Modal verbs shift: Modal verbs in direct speech may need to be changed in a reported speech to reflect the speaker’s attitude or degree of certainty about what was said.
- Reporting verbs: Reporting verbs, such as “say,” “tell,” and “ask,” are used to introduce reported speech.
- Reporting clauses: Reporting clauses, such as “that,” “if,” and “whether,” are used to connect the reporting verb to the reported speech.
Note: It’s important to keep in mind the purpose of the reported speech and the relationship between the speaker and the person being quoted.
