Reported Speech: Top 15 Key Points

Understanding reported speech is important for accurately conveying what someone else has said. This guide covers the top 15 key points about reported speech in English.

No.	Key Point	Explanation	Examples
1	Basic Concept of Reported Speech	Used to relay what someone else said without quoting them directly.	"She said that she was tired." "He mentioned that he would be late."
2	Changing Tenses in Reported Speech	Often involves backshifting tenses.	Direct: "I am happy." Reported: "She said she was happy."
3	Reporting Verbs	Verbs like 'say', 'tell', 'ask' are commonly used.	"She told me that she had finished the task." "He asked if I was okay."
4	Reported Statements	Statements are typically reported with 'that' and a subject.	"He said that he had seen the movie." "They mentioned that they were moving."
5	Reported Questions	Questions in reported speech do not use the auxiliary do/does/did.	Direct: "Where are you?" Reported: "She asked where I was."
6	Reported Commands and Requests	Commands and requests are reported with verbs like 'tell', 'ask', 'order', followed by an infinitive.	"She told me to wait." "He asked me to call him."
7	Reporting 'Yes/No' Questions	Reported with 'if' or 'whether'.	Direct: "Are you coming?" Reported: "He asked if I was coming."
8	Time and Place in Reported Speech	References to time and place are often adjusted.	"I'll see you tomorrow." → "He said he would see me the next day."
9	Pronoun Changes in Reported Speech	Pronouns are often changed to match the perspective of the reporter.	Direct: "I like your dress." Reported: "She said she liked my dress."
10	No Tense Change with Reporting Verbs in the Present	If the reporting verb is in the present, the tense is not shifted.	"She says she is ready."
11	Using 'Tell' in Reported Speech	'Tell' is typically used with a direct object.	"He told me that he was hungry."
12	Indirect Questions	Phrased as statements but act as questions.	"She asked where the station was."
13	Mixed Reported Speech	Combines direct and indirect speech.	"I am tired, she said, and I want to go home."
14	Reporting Suggestions	Suggestions are often reported with 'suggest' + gerund or 'suggest' + that-clause.	"She suggested going to the cinema." "He suggested that we should leave early."
15	Reporting Thoughts and Feelings	Thoughts and feelings can be reported with verbs like 'think', 'believe', 'feel'.	"He thought that the test was difficult." "She felt that it was unfair."