Reported Speech
Reported Speech
Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by
oneself or someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the
third person view of what someone has said. In this form of speech, you
need not use quotation marks as you are not quoting the exact words
spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message.
Now, take a look at the following dictionary definitions for a clearer idea of
what it is.
• The first thing you have to keep in mind is that you need not use any quotation
marks as you are not using the exact words of the speaker.
• You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported
speech.
• You can use verbs like said, asked, requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed,
screamed, told, etc. If you are just reporting a declarative sentence, you can
use verbs like told, said, etc. followed by ‘that’ and end the sentence with a full
stop. When you are reporting interrogative sentences, you can use the verbs –
enquired, inquired, asked, etc. and remove the question mark. In case you are
reporting imperative sentences, you can use verbs like requested,
commanded, pleaded, ordered, etc. If you are reporting exclamatory
sentences, you can use the verb exclaimed and remove the exclamation mark.
Remember that the structure of the sentences also changes accordingly.
• Furthermore, keep in mind that the sentence structure, tense, pronouns, modal
verbs, some specific adverbs of place and adverbs of time change when a
sentence is transformed into indirect/reported speech.
I He, she
Me Him, her
We They
Us Them
My His, her
Ours Theirs
This That
These Those
Adverbs of Place
Here There
Adverbs of Time
Now Then
Ago Before
Thus So
Will Would
May Might
Can Could
Shall Should
Has/Have Had
• Select a play, a drama or a short story with dialogues and try transforming the
sentences in direct speech into reported speech.
• Write about an incident or speak about a day in your life using reported
speech.
• Develop a story by following prompts or on your own using reported speech.
• Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in Funny Girl.
• Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.
• Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.
• The judges announced that the Warblers were the winners of the annual
acapella competition.
• Binsha assured that she would reach Bangalore by 8 p.m.
• Kumar said that he had gone to the doctor the previous day.
• Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.
• Jibin told me that he would help me out after lunch.
• The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.
• Rahul said that he was drawing a caricature.
3. Sherly said, “My daughter is playing the lead role in the skit.”
8. The teacher said, “Make sure you complete the homework before
tomorrow.”
3. Sherly said that her daughter was playing the lead role in the skit.
5. Suresh said that his son was getting married the following month.
10. Jade said that his sister was moving to Los Angeles.