Reported Speech
Reported speech (also called indirect speech) is used to report what someone said without using their exact words. Tenses usually shift back one step (present → past, past → past perfect). Pronouns and time expressions also change. Reporting verbs include said, told, asked, and explained.
WHEN TO USE
Use reported speech to tell someone else what another person said, asked, or thought — without quoting their exact words. Very common in storytelling, news reporting, and describing conversations.
STRUCTURE
S + said (that) + past tense clauseShe said that she was tired.
S + told + object + (that) + past tense clauseHe told me he hadn't eaten anything.
S + asked + (object) + if/whether / wh-word + past clauseThey asked if I could help them.
SIGNAL WORDS
- said
- told
- asked
- explained
- mentioned
- replied
- admitted
- promised
EXAMPLES
She said that she was tired.
He told me he had already eaten.
They asked if I could help them.
She said she would come the next day.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
COMMON MISTAKES
She said me that she was tired.
She told me that she was tired.
Use 'told + object'. 'Said' cannot be followed directly by a person ('said me' is wrong).
He asked where did she live.
He asked where she lived.
In reported questions, use normal word order (subject + verb) — no question word order
Tip
The tense backshift rule: present simple → past simple, present continuous → past continuous, will → would, can → could, past simple → past perfect. Also change: 'today' → 'that day', 'tomorrow' → 'the next day', 'here' → 'there'.