Mastering Reported Speech: Grammar Rules and Examples

Reported Speech: Statements

Direct Speech

• "My brother always blames our parents for his problems," Erin complained.
• "We're having money problems now," my parents admitted.
• "I haven't bought tickets for the concert tonight," he said.
• "I found these old family photos yesterday," John explained.
• "I'll lend you this book," Maddy told me.
• "You can stay here any time," my aunt promised.
• "You must arrive on time for your exams," the teacher reminded us.

Reported Speech

• Erin complained that her brother always blamed their parents for his problems.
• My parents admitted that they were having money problems then.
• He said that he hadn't bought tickets for the concert that night.
• John explained that he had found those old family photos the day before.
• Maddy told me that she would lend me that book.
• My aunt promised that I could stay there any time.
• The teacher reminded us that we had to arrive on time for our exams.

After the reporting verbs say, tell, and think, the word that can be left out of the sentence. For example: She said (that) she had enjoyed meeting my parents.

Reported Speech: Questions

Direct Speech

• "Have you dealt with this problem?" asked Jason.
• "What time are the twins arriving tomorrow?"

Reported Speech

• Jason asked if/whether I had dealt with that problem.
• Beth wanted to know what time the twins were arriving the next day.

Orders, Requests, Offers, and Suggestions

• Order: "Make the most of your abilities," our dad told us. → Our dad told us to make the most of our abilities.
• Order: "Don't put off doing your project," the teacher told us. → The teacher told us not to put off doing our project.
• Request: "Please help your sister," my mum said to me. → My mum asked me to help my sister.
• Offer: "We'll pay for your art class," Eva's parents told her. → Eva's parents offered to pay for her art class.
• Suggestion: "Let's get in touch with Carol," Harry said. → Harry suggested getting in touch with Carol (or that we get in touch with Carol).
• Suggestion: "You should try this product," said my brother. → My brother recommended trying that product (or that we try that product).