English grammar lesson on reported speech with simple and clear examples
Part A
It is not always necessary to change the verb in reported speech. If the situation is still the same, you do not need to change the verb to the past. For example:
Direct: John said ‘My new job is boring.’
Reported: John said that his new job is boring.
(The situation is still the same. His job is still boring now.)
Direct: Alice said ‘I want to go to Canada next year.’
Reported: Alice told me that she wants to go to Canada next year.
(Alice still wants to go to Canada next year.)
You can also change the verb to the past:
John said that his new job was boring.
Alice told me that she wanted to go to Canada next year.
But if the situation has changed or finished, you must use a past verb:
John left the room suddenly. He said he had to go. (not has to go)
Part B
You need to use a past form when there is a difference between what was said and what is really true. For example:
You met Monica a few days ago.
She said: Kevin is in hospital.
Later that day you meet Kevin in the street. You say:
Hi, Kevin. I didn’t expect to see you. Monica said you were in hospital.
(not ‘Monica said you are in hospital’, because clearly he is not)
Part C
Say and tell
If you say who somebody is talking to, use tell:
Monica told me that you were in hospital. (not Monica said me)
What did you tell the police? (not say the police)
Otherwise use say:
Monica said that you were in hospital. (not Monica told that … )
What did you say?
But you can ‘say something to somebody’:
Mary said goodbye to me and left. (not Mary said me goodbye)
What did you say to the police?
Part D
Tell/ask somebody to do something
Have you heard?
Kevin is in hospital.
Hi, Kevin. Monica said you were in hospital.
We also use the infinitive (to do / to be, etc.) in reported speech, especially with tell and ask (for orders and requests):
Direct: ‘Drink plenty of water,’ the doctor said to me.
Reported: The doctor told me to drink plenty of water.
Direct: ‘Don’t be late,’ I said to Kevin.
Reported: I told Kevin not to be late.
Direct: ‘Can you help me, please,’ Sara said to me.
Reported: Sara asked me to help her.
You can also say ‘Somebody said (not) to do something’:
John said not to worry about him. (but not John said me)
Note: The verb ‘tell’ is always followed by an indirect object (you, him, her, etc.), so you cannot say: I told that I needed some water.
3. Change this sentence from direct to reported speech:
My friend asked me, “Can you lend me some money?”
2. Change this sentence from direct to reported speech:
The teacher said to the students, “Do not make any noise during the exam.”
the teacher told the students not to make any noise during the exam.
Or:
The teacher said to the students not to make any noise during the exam.
1. When is it necessary for you to change the tense of the verb in the reported speech?
if the situation has changed or finished.
That’s right, thank you.
:)