Reported Speech
Table of Contents
What Is Reported Speech?
Reported speech is a way of telling someone what another person has said without repeating their exact words. For example, if Anna says, “I am feeling tired,” you can report it by saying, “Anna said that she was feeling tired.” This allows you to share what someone said without quoting them word for word and is very useful when you don’t remember the exact words or don’t want to misquote someone.
We use reported speech to summarize conversations, pass on information, or report events in a simpler way. It is very common in speaking and writing when the exact words are not necessary. Usually, the main verb in the sentence is in the past, and other parts of the sentence are adjusted to fit the new context.
How To Use Reported Speech
Using reported speech usually involves three simple steps.
First, start with a reporting verb. Common verbs include say, tell, ask, state, claim, argue, explain, announce, and reply. For example: He said, She told me, They claimed.
Second, introduce the message with “that,” which is optional. You can include “that” or leave it out. For example, He said that he was tired or He said he was tired.
Third, change pronouns and time words as needed. Replace pronouns and adjust time references to fit the context. For example, direct speech “I am hungry.” becomes reported speech He said he was hungry. Direct speech “I will call you tomorrow.” becomes reported speech She said she would call me the next day.
In general, when the main verb of the reporting sentence is in the past, the verbs in the reported clause are usually changed to a past form as well. For example, direct speech “I am feeling sick.” becomes reported speech He said he was feeling sick. Direct speech “I can’t come to the party.” becomes reported speech She said she couldn’t come to the party.
If the original statement was already in the past when it was said, you have two options. You can leave it in the simple past, or you can move it one step further back using the past perfect to show it happened before the reporting. For example, direct speech “I woke up late this morning.” can be reported as He said he woke up late that morning or He said he had woken up late that morning.
Change Or No Change?
1. Statements That Are Still True or Upcoming
In reported speech, verbs usually change to the past. However, if the information is still true or the event is still in the future, the verb can stay the same. This happens when the statement is a general fact, a permanent truth, or a plan that has not yet happened. For example, direct speech “I will come to the party tomorrow.” can be reported as He said he will come to the party next week if the party is still upcoming. Similarly, statements about facts or rules do not need to change: “Water boils at 100°C.” → She said that water boils at 100°C.
Other examples include ongoing situations or habits that are still true. Direct speech “I always drink coffee in the morning.” can be reported as He said he always drinks coffee in the morning because it remains a regular habit. Plans or promises for the future can also be reported without changing the verb: “We will start the meeting at 3 pm.” → They said they will start the meeting at 3 pm.
In general, if the statement is still valid or relevant at the time of reporting, it is perfectly natural to keep the verb in the same tense as the original speech.
2. Statements That Turn Out to Be False or Incorrect
Sometimes, the information in the original statement is no longer true, has changed, or turns out to be incorrect. In these cases, reported speech must show that the situation has changed. For example, if someone said, “I have finished the work.” but it later turns out that the work is not done, you would report it as He said he had finished the work, but he hadn’t. This makes it clear that the original statement was not accurate.
Another common situation occurs when the person talked about something that was true at the time, but the circumstances have since changed. For example, direct speech: “Valeria is in hospital.” can be reported as Aleksei said that Valeria was in hospital if Valeria is no longer in the hospital. Using the past tense in the reported clause signals that the statement is no longer true now.
When reporting speech, the choice of verb tense indicates whether the information is still true or not. If the situation remains the same, the original tense can be kept, showing that the statement is still accurate. For example, “I live in Paris.” can be reported as She said she lives in Paris because it is still true. If the circumstances have changed, you need to use a past form to signal this change. For instance, “I live in Paris.” would become She said she lived in Paris if she has since moved. This helps the listener or reader understand whether the statement is still valid or reflects a past situation.
Say VS. Tell
The verbs say and tell are both used to report speech, but they work differently depending on whether you mention a listener. Say is used when you want to report words generally, without specifying exactly who they were spoken to. For example: She said it was raining or He said he was tired. In these cases, the listener is not mentioned, and the focus is on what was said rather than to whom.
Tell, on the other hand, requires a listener. You must specify who was spoken to. For example: She told me it was raining, He told his friend he was tired, or They told us the news. The structure is usually tell + someone + something. Without a listener, tell is not correct. For example, She told it was raining is incorrect because the listener is missing.
There are a few exceptions and additional notes. You can say tell somebody to do something or ask somebody to do something, e.g., The teacher told the students to be quiet. You can also report negative instructions: He told me not to worry. Another important point is idiomatic usage: in English, we say “tell a lie” rather than “say a lie”. You can also say She said to me that she was leaving, but She told me that she was leaving is more natural.
Reporting Statements and Claims
We often report general information or claims without specifying who said it.
One common structure is It is said that… or He is said to…. For example:
-It is said that the new library will open next month.
-It is said that this medicine helps improve memory.
-He is said to have travelled to over 50 countries.
-She is said to speak four languages fluently.
Believed is used when people hold a view or opinion. For example:
-It is believed that exercise improves mental health.
-It is believed that the company will hire more staff next year.
-The painting is believed to be from the 18th century.
-He is believed to have left the country.
Considered is used when something is generally accepted as true or standard. For example:
-Saying hello is considered polite in many cultures.
-Rice is considered to be a staple part of the Asian diet.
-This book is considered one of the greatest novels of the century.
-The policy is considered effective by most experts.
Expected is used when people anticipate something. For example:
-The train is expected to arrive at 9 a.m.
-The results are expected to be published next week.
-She is expected to finish the project by Friday.
-The team is expected to perform well in the championship.
Known is used when something is generally recognized as true. For example:
-It is known that water boils at 100°C.
-He is known for his charitable work.
-The city is known for its historic architecture.
-This species is known to migrate during winter.
Reported is used when an event or fact has been publicly shared. For example:
-She is reported to have won the local art competition.
-The accident is reported to have caused minor injuries.
-He is reported to be moving abroad next month.
-The festival is reported to attract thousands of visitors.
Thought expresses ideas or assumptions. For example:
-The new law is thought to reduce crime.
-He is thought to have left the office early.
-This method is thought to be more efficient.
-The movie is thought to be based on true events.
Understood is used when information is accepted as true. For example:
-It is understood that the company plans to expand internationally.
-She is understood to be on vacation.
-The agreement is understood to include all members.
-It is understood that the project will finish by December.
Alleged is used when something is claimed but not proven. For example:
-He is alleged to have broken the rules during the tournament.
-The politician is alleged to have accepted bribes.
-She is alleged to have falsified the documents.
-The company is alleged to have violated environmental regulations.
Supposed To
The phrase supposed to can be used to report what people say, expect, or assume. It works like said to when referring to general beliefs or claims. For example:
-The event is supposed to start at 10 a.m.
-She is supposed to have completed the project by now.
-The restaurant is supposed to serve vegan options.
-He is supposed to know the details of the agreement.
-The new phone is supposed to be released next week.
-This medicine is supposed to reduce inflammation.
-The bridge is supposed to be safe for heavy vehicles.
Sometimes, supposed to refers to what is intended, arranged, or expected, which may not always happen in reality. For example:
-The meeting was supposed to be private, but many people attended.
-Our guests were supposed to arrive at 7 p.m., but they were late.
-You were supposed to be on my side, but you decided to side with a stranger.
-The train was supposed to leave at 9 a.m., but it was delayed.
-Students were supposed to submit the assignment yesterday, but some turned it in late.
How Reported Speech Is Used in Authentic Contexts
Story: Alice In Wonderland
Alice wandered through the forest and spotted a grinning cat on a branch. She asked where she should go next. Alice said that she wanted to know which way led to the next clearing. The Cheshire Cat looked down at her and replied that it depended on where she wanted to go. He explained that the direction would change according to her destination. Alice admitted that she didn’t much care where, and the Cat said that in that case it didn’t matter which path she took. He mentioned that any way would be fine if she had no preference.
Curious about the forest, Alice asked what kind of people lived there. She wanted to know what sort of inhabitants could be found in the area. The Cat replied that some were very strange indeed. He said that many of the creatures were unusual and unpredictable. Alice hesitated and then inquired whether he could guide her to the Queen’s castle. She asked if he would show her the way to the castle. The Cheshire Cat assured her that he could, but warned that she must mind the twists and turns along the way. He advised her to be careful of the confusing paths and to stay alert for any unexpected obstacles.
Alice thanked him and began walking, remembering his instructions. The forest was quiet except for the rustling leaves and distant chirping birds. She recalled that he had told her the safest route to the castle and to watch for unusual signs along the way. She felt a mix of excitement and caution as she moved forward, wondering what other curious creatures she might encounter on her journey.
News Report: Severe Storm Hits the City
Earlier this week, a major storm hit the coastal city, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure. It is reported that several roads were flooded and power lines were downed by strong winds. Emergency services responded quickly, and residents were advised to stay indoors. Authorities said that evacuation centers had been set up in community halls and schools. Some residents described the scene as chaotic but managed to reach safety. They claimed that the winds were stronger than anything they had experienced in recent years.
The mayor held a press conference to update the public on relief efforts. He stated that emergency crews were working around the clock to restore electricity and clear the streets. Officials urged citizens to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary. They warned that further rainfall could lead to additional flooding in low-lying areas. Volunteer organizations joined the efforts, bringing food and supplies to affected neighborhoods. It is believed that hundreds of families received assistance within the first 24 hours.
Local schools remained closed for the week, and businesses were reopening gradually. The storm is considered to be one of the most severe to impact the city in decades. Recovery is expected to take several weeks, with infrastructure repairs and cleanup continuing throughout the city. It is thought that the community’s resilience and quick response prevented more serious casualties. Citizens are encouraged to follow official updates and heed safety instructions as the situation stabilizes.
Academic Paper: How Traditions Shape Societies
In many cultures, traditional meals are highly valued and often prepared according to long-established methods. It is considered that sharing food strengthens family and community bonds. Anthropologists have studied these practices extensively, and they report that communal meals are central to maintaining social cohesion. In some regions, rice is a staple food, and it is thought to provide essential nutrients while also symbolizing prosperity.
Festivals and ceremonies are another area where cultural practices are observed closely. It is believed that these events help transmit values and traditions across generations. Experts note that music and dance often accompany such gatherings, and they are considered to enhance community participation and enjoyment. Certain rituals, such as offering food to ancestors, are reported to be performed with great care to maintain respect and tradition.
In addition, clothing and attire can reflect cultural identity. Traditional garments are thought to signify regional heritage and social status. Researchers have documented that patterns, colors, and fabrics often carry symbolic meanings, and they are believed to be important for preserving cultural memory. Overall, cultural anthropologists suggest that understanding these practices provides valuable insight into how societies maintain continuity and cohesion over time.
Test Your English Grammar Knowledge: Reported Speech (Quiz)
Other Grammar Lessons
Watch a few of my videos to see how I approach teaching and what you can expect.
Ready to Start Your English IELTS TOEFL SAT Journey?
TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.