Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

Exercises on Reported Speech If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speakers exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

Statements
When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

pronouns present tense verbs (3rd person singular) place and time expressions tenses (backshift)

Type Example direct speech I speak English. reported speech He says that he speaks English. (no backshift) reported speech He said that he spoke English. (backshift) more on statements in reported speech

Questions
When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:

pronouns present tense verbs (3rd person singular) place and time expressions tenses (backshift)

Also note that you have to:

transform the question into an indirect question use the interrogative or if / whether Example Why dont you speak English?

Type with interrogative direct speech

Type

Example

reported speech He asked me why I didnt speak English. direct speech Do you speak English? without interrogative reported speech He asked me whether / if I spoke English. more on questions in reported speech

Requests
When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:

pronouns place and time expressions

Type Example direct speech Carol, speak English. reported speech He told Carol to speak English. more on requests in reported speech

Additional Information and Exeptions

Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example:

main clauses connected with and / but tense of the introductory clause reported speech for difficult tenses exeptions for backshift requests with must, should, ought to and lets

more on additional information and exeptions in reported speech

Exercises on Reported Speech

Statements in Reported Speech

no backshift change of pronouns no backshift change of pronouns and places with backshift with backshift and change of place and time expressions

Reported Speech (El estilo indirecto)

El estilo indirecto, a diferencia del estilo directo, no utiliza las comillas y no necesita ser palabra por palabra. En general, cuando se usa el estilo indirecto, el tiempo verbal cambia. A continuacin tienes un explicacin de los cambios que sufren los tiempos verbales. A veces se usa "that" en las frases afirmativas y negativas para introducir lo que ha dicho la otra persona. Por otro lado, en las frases interrogativas se puede usar "if" o "whether". Direct Speech Present Simple Play "He's American," she said. Play "I'm happy to see you," Mary said. Play " He asked, "Are you busy tonight?" Present Continuous Play "Dan is living in San Francisco," she said. Play " He said, "I'm making dinner." Play "Why are you working so hard?" they asked. Past Simple Play "We went to the movies last night," he said. Play " Greg said, "I didn't go to work yesterday." Play Reported Speech Past Simple Play She said he was American. Play Mary said that she was happy to see me. Play He asked me if I was busy tonight. Past Continuous Play She saidDan was living in San Francisco. Play He told me that he was making dinner. Play They asked me why I was working so hard. Past Perfect Simple Play He told me they had gone to the movies last night. Play Greg said that he hadn't gone to work yesterday. Play

"Did you buy a new car?" she asked. Past Continuous Play

She asked me if I had bought a new car. Past Perfect Continuous Play

"I was working late last night," Vicki said. Vicki told me she'd been working last night. Play Play " They said, "we weren't waiting long." Play " He asked, "were you sleeping when I called?" Present Perfect Simple Play " Heather said, "I've already eaten." Play "We haven't been to China," they said. Play "Have you worked here before?" I asked. Present Perfect Continuous Play They said that they hadn't been waiting long. Play He asked if I'd been sleeping when he called. Past Perfect Simple Play Heather told me that she'd already eaten. Play They said they hadn't been to China. Play I asked her whether she'd worked there before. Past Perfect Continuous Play

"I've been studying English for two years," He said he'd been studying English for two he said. years. Play Play " Steve said, "we've been dating for over a year now." Play Steve told me that they'd been dating for over a year. Play

"Have you been waiting long?" they asked. They asked whether I'd been waiting long. Past Perfect Simple Past Perfect Simple (*NO CHANGE) Play Play "I'd been to Chicago before for work," he said. Past Perfect Continuous He said that he'd been to Chicago before for work. Past Perfect Continuous (*NO CHANGE)

Play " She said, "I'd been dancing for years before the accident."

Play She said she'd been dancing for years before the accident.

Nota: Cuando hablamos de algo que no ha cambiado (todava es verdad) o que es en el futuro, no tenemos que cambiar el tiempo verbal.

Ejemplos: Play "I'm 30 years old," she said. She said she is 30 years old.

Play Dave said, "Kelly is sick." Dave said Kelly is sick.

Play "We are going to Tokyo next week," they said. They said they are going to Tokyo next week.

Play "I'll cut my hair tomorrow," Nina said. Nina said she is cutting her hair tomorrow.

Modal Verbs (Los verbos modales)

El tiempo verbal cambia en el estilo indirecto tambin con algunos de los verbos modales: Direct Speech Will Play "I'll go to the movies tomorrow," John said. Play "Will you help me move?" she asked. Can Play " Debra said, "Allen can work tomorrow." Indirect Speech Would Play John said he would go to the movies tomorrow. Play She asked me if I would help her move. Could Play Debra said Allen could work tomorrow.

Play "Can you open the window, please?", he asked. Must Play "You must wear your seatbelt," mom said. Play " She said, "You must work tomorrow." Shall Play "Shall we go to the beach today?" Tom asked. Play "What shall we do tonight?" she asked. May Play " Jane said, "I may not be in class tomorrow." Play " the boy asked. "May I use the bathroom, please?" the boy asked.

Play He asked me if I could open the window. Had to Play My mom said I had to wear my seatbelt. Play She said I had to work tomorrow. Should Play Tom asked if we should go to the beach today. Play She asked me what we should do tonight. Might/Could Play Jane said she might not be in class tomorrow. Play The boy asked if he could use the bathroom.

Nota: Con "would", "could", "should", "might" y "ought to", el tiempo no cambia.

Exercise on Reported Speech

Questions - Exercise 1
Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note the change of pronouns and tenses. 1. "Where is my umbrella?" she asked. She asked

2. "How are you?" Martin asked us. Martin asked us 3. He asked, "Do I have to do it?" He asked 4. "Where have you been?" the mother asked her daughter. The mother asked her daughter 5. "Which dress do you like best?" she asked her boyfriend. She asked her boyfriend 6. "What are they doing?" she asked. She wanted to know 7. "Are you going to the cinema?" he asked me. He wanted to know 8. The teacher asked, "Who speaks English?" The teacher wanted to know 9. "How do you know that?" she asked me. She asked me 10. "Has Caron talked to Kevin?" my friend asked me. My friend asked me

Exercise 2
Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note the change of pronouns and tenses. 1. "What's the time?" he asked. He wanted to know 2. "When will we meet again?" she asked me. She asked me 3. "Are you crazy?" she asked him. She asked him 4. "Where did they live?" he asked. He wanted to know 5. "Will you be at the party?" he asked her. He asked her 6. "Can you meet me at the station?" she asked me. She asked me 7. "Who knows the answer?" the teacher asked. The teacher wanted to know

8. "Why don't you help me?" she asked him. She wanted to know 9. "Did you see that car?" he asked me. He asked me 10. "Have you tidied up your room?" the mother asked the twins. The mother asked the twins

Exercise 1 Requests (positive)

Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note the change of pronouns in some sentences. 1. "Stop talking, Joe," the teacher said. The teacher told Joe 2. "Be patient," she said to him. She told him 3. "Go to your room," her father said to her. Her father told her 4. "Hurry up," she said to us. She told us 5. "Give me the key," he told her. He asked her 6. "Play it again, Sam," she said. She asked Sam 7. "Sit down, Caron" he said. He asked Caron 8. "Fill in the form, Sir," the receptionist said. The receptionist asked the guest 9. "Take off your shoes," she told us. She told us 10. "Mind your own business," she told him. She told him

Exercise 2 Requests (negative)

Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note the change of pronouns in some sentences. 1. "Don't touch it," she said to him. She told him

2. "Don't do that again," he said to me. He told me 3. "Don't talk to me like that," he said. He told her 4. "Don't repair the computer yourself," she warned him. She warned him 5. "Don't let him in," she said. She told me 6. "Don't go out without me," he begged her. He begged her 7. "Don't forget your bag," she told me. She told me 8. "Don't eat in the lab," the chemistry teacher said. The chemistry teacher told his students 9. "Don't give yourself up," he advised her. He advised her 10. "Don't hurt yourselves, boys," she said. She told the boys

Exercise 3 Requests (mixed)

Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note the change of pronouns in some sentences. 1. She said, "Go upstairs." She told me 2. "Close the door behind you," he told me. He told me 3. "Don't be late," he advised us. He advised us 4. "Stop staring at me," she said. She told him 5. "Don't be angry with me," he said. He asked her 6. "Leave me alone," she said. She told me 7. "Don't drink and drive," she warned us. She warned us

8. "John, stop smoking," she said. She told John 9. "Don't worry about us," they said. They told her 10. "Meet me at the cinema." he said. He asked me

Mixed Exercise 1
Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note whether the sentence is a request, a statement or a question. 1. He said, "I like this song." He said 2. "Where is your sister?" she asked me. She asked me 3. "I don't speak Italian," she said. She said 4. "Say hello to Jim," they said. They asked me 5. "The film began at seven o'clock," he said. He said 6. "Don't play on the grass, boys," she said. She told the boys 7. "Where have you spent your money?" she asked him. She asked him 8. "I never make mistakes," he said. He said 9. "Does she know Robert?" he wanted to know. He wanted to know 10. "Don't try this at home," the stuntman told the audience. The stuntman advised the audience

Mixed Exercise 2
Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note whether the sentence is a request, a statement or a question and whether you have to change the tenses or not.

1. "I was very tired," she said. She said 2. "Be careful, Ben," she said. She told Ben 3. "I will get myself a drink," she says. She says 4. "Why haven't you phoned me?" he asked me. He wondered 5. "I cannot drive them home," he said. He said 6. "Peter, do you prefer tea or coffee?" she says. She asks Peter 7. "Where did you spend your holidays last year?" she asked me. She asked me 8. He said, "Don't go too far." He advised her 9. "Have you been shopping?" he asked us. He wanted to know 10. "Don't make so much noise," he says. He asks us

The Canterville Ghost

Questions on the text highlight Direct Speech and Reported Speech

Chapter VI
About ten minutes later, the bell rang for dinner, and, as Virginia did not come down, Mrs Otis sent up one of the servants. After a little time he returned and said that he could not find Miss Virginia anywhere. So, the whole family started looking for her. The hours passed, but they could find no trace of Virginia. So, after dinner, Mr Otis ordered them all to bed, saying that nothing more could be done that night, and that he would contact Scotland Yard in the morning. Just when everybody was about to leave the diningroom, the clock struck midnight, and when the last stroke sounded, a secret door opened in the wall and in that door stood Virginia with a little box in her hand. Everybody ran up to her.

Good heavens! child, where have you been? said Mr Otis, rather angrily, as he thought she had been playing a trick on them. Papa, said Virginia quietly, I have been with the ghost. He is dead, and you must come and see him. He had been very nasty, but he was really sorry for all that he had done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died. Then she led the others down a narrow secret corridor to a little low room. There the family found the skeleton of Sir Simon, who had been starved to death by his wife's brothers. Virginia knelt down beside the skeleton, and, folding her little hands together, began to pray silently. Meanwhile, one of the twins was looking out of the window in the little room and suddenly said, Look! The old almond-tree has blossoms. Then God has forgiven him, said Virginia and stood up. Four days later, a funeral started from Canterville Castle. In a quiet corner of the churchyard, Sir Simon's skeleton was buried. When the ceremony was over, Virginia stepped forward and laid a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms on the coffin. The next morning, Mr Otis talked to Sir Simon's descendant, Sir Canterville, about the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. Their value was so great that Mr Otis had scruples about allowing his daughter to keep them. But Sir Canterville shook his hand and said, My dear Sir, your charming little daughter saved my ancestor's soul. The jewels are hers. The jewels were admired by everyone when, in the spring of 1890, Virginia married the Duke of Cheshire. After their honeymoon, Virginia and her husband went down to Canterville Castle and on the day after their arrival they walked over to the churchyard. Virginia had brought some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and after they had stood by it for some time her husband took her hand. You have never told me what happened to you when you were locked up with the ghost. Please don't ask me, I cannot tell you, she said, but I owe Sir Simon a great deal. He made me see what Life is, and what Death signifies, and why Love is stronger than both.

Reported Speech (El estilo indirecto)

El estilo indirecto, a diferencia del estilo directo, no utiliza las comillas y no necesita ser palabra por palabra. En general, cuando se usa el estilo indirecto, el tiempo verbal cambia. A continuacin tienes un explicacin de los cambios que sufren los tiempos verbales. A veces se usa "that" en las frases afirmativas y negativas para introducir lo que ha dicho la otra persona. Por otro lado, en las frases interrogativas se puede usar "if" o "whether".

Direct Speech Present Simple Play "He's American," she said. Play "I'm happy to see you," Mary said. Play " He asked, "Are you busy tonight?" Present Continuous Play "Dan is living in San Francisco," she said. Play " He said, "I'm making dinner." Play "Why are you working so hard?" they asked. Past Simple Play "We went to the movies last night," he said. Play " Greg said, "I didn't go to work yesterday." Play "Did you buy a new car?" she asked. Past Continuous Play

Reported Speech Past Simple Play She said he was American. Play Mary said that she was happy to see me. Play He asked me if I was busy tonight. Past Continuous Play She saidDan was living in San Francisco. Play He told me that he was making dinner. Play They asked me why I was working so hard. Past Perfect Simple Play He told me they had gone to the movies last night. Play Greg said that he hadn't gone to work yesterday. Play She asked me if I had bought a new car. Past Perfect Continuous Play

"I was working late last night," Vicki said. Vicki told me she'd been working last night. Play Play " They said, "we weren't waiting long." They said that they hadn't been waiting long.

Play " He asked, "were you sleeping when I called?" Present Perfect Simple Play " Heather said, "I've already eaten." Play "We haven't been to China," they said. Play "Have you worked here before?" I asked. Present Perfect Continuous Play

Play He asked if I'd been sleeping when he called. Past Perfect Simple Play Heather told me that she'd already eaten. Play They said they hadn't been to China. Play I asked her whether she'd worked there before. Past Perfect Continuous Play

"I've been studying English for two years," He said he'd been studying English for two he said. years. Play Play " Steve said, "we've been dating for over a year now." Play Steve told me that they'd been dating for over a year. Play

"Have you been waiting long?" they asked. They asked whether I'd been waiting long. Past Perfect Simple Past Perfect Simple (*NO CHANGE) Play Play "I'd been to Chicago before for work," he said. Past Perfect Continuous Play " She said, "I'd been dancing for years before the accident." He said that he'd been to Chicago before for work. Past Perfect Continuous (*NO CHANGE) Play She said she'd been dancing for years before the accident.

Nota: Cuando hablamos de algo que no ha cambiado (todava es verdad) o que es en el futuro, no tenemos que cambiar el tiempo verbal.

Ejemplos: Play

"I'm 30 years old," she said. She said she is 30 years old.

Play Dave said, "Kelly is sick." Dave said Kelly is sick.

Play "We are going to Tokyo next week," they said. They said they are going to Tokyo next week.

Play "I'll cut my hair tomorrow," Nina said. Nina said she is cutting her hair tomorrow.

Modal Verbs (Los verbos modales)

El tiempo verbal cambia en el estilo indirecto tambin con algunos de los verbos modales: Direct Speech Will Play "I'll go to the movies tomorrow," John said. Play "Will you help me move?" she asked. Can Play " Debra said, "Allen can work tomorrow." Play "Can you open the window, please?", he asked. Must Play "You must wear your seatbelt," mom said. Play " She said, "You must work tomorrow." Indirect Speech Would Play John said he would go to the movies tomorrow. Play She asked me if I would help her move. Could Play Debra said Allen could work tomorrow. Play He asked me if I could open the window. Had to Play My mom said I had to wear my seatbelt. Play She said I had to work tomorrow.

Shall Play "Shall we go to the beach today?" Tom asked. Play "What shall we do tonight?" she asked. May Play " Jane said, "I may not be in class tomorrow." Play " the boy asked. "May I use the bathroom, please?" the boy asked.

Should Play Tom asked if we should go to the beach today. Play She asked me what we should do tonight. Might/Could Play Jane said she might not be in class tomorrow. Play The boy asked if he could use the bathroom.

Nota: Con "would", "could", "should", "might" y "ought to", el tiempo no cambia.

Exercise 2
Explanation: Reported commands

Finish the sentences using Reported speech. Always change the tense, although it is sometimes not necessary. Example: Peter: "Don't clean the black shoes!" Peter told me _________________________ Answer: Peter told me not to clean the black shoes. 1) Karen: "Don't play football in the garden!" Karen told me . 2) Teacher: "Don't forget your homework!" The teacher reminded me 3) Mike: "Don't shout at Peter!" Mike told me . 4) Yvonne: "Don't talk to your neighbour!" .

Yvonne told me 5) Denise: "Don't open the door!" Denise told me 6) Marcel: "Don't sing that song!" Marcel reminded me 7) Jane: "Don't watch the new film!" Jane advised me 8) Walter: "Don't ring Romy on Sunday!" Walter told me 9) Lisa: "Don't fly via Paris!" Lisa advised me 10) Jamie: "Don't eat so much junk food!" Jamie reminded me . .

. .

. .

Exercise 2
Explanation: Reported commands

Finish the sentences using Reported speech. Always change the tense, although it is sometimes not necessary. Example: Peter: "Don't clean the black shoes!" Peter told me _________________________ Answer: Peter told me not to clean the black shoes. 1) Karen: "Don't play football in the garden!" Karen told me . 2) Teacher: "Don't forget your homework!" The teacher reminded me 3) Mike: "Don't shout at Peter!" Mike told me . 4) Yvonne: "Don't talk to your neighbour!" .

Yvonne told me 5) Denise: "Don't open the door!" Denise told me 6) Marcel: "Don't sing that song!" Marcel reminded me 7) Jane: "Don't watch the new film!" Jane advised me 8) Walter: "Don't ring Romy on Sunday!" Walter told me 9) Lisa: "Don't fly via Paris!" Lisa advised me 10) Jamie: "Don't eat so much junk food!" Jamie reminded me . .

. .

. .

Reported speech - simple statements Exercise 1

Explanation: Reported speech - statements, sentences

Finish the sentences using Reported speech. Always change the tense, although it is sometimes not necessary. Example: Peter: "I clean the black shoes." Peter told me that ____________________________ Answer: Peter told me that he cleaned the black shoes. 1) John: "Mandy is at home." John said that 2) Max: "Frank often reads a book." Max told me that 3) Susan: "I'm watching TV." Susan said to me that . . .

4) Simon: "David was ill." Simon said that 5) Peggy: "The girls helped in the house." Peggy told me that 6) Richard: "I am going to ride a skateboard." . .

Richard said to me that . 7) Stephen and Claire: "We have cleaned the windows." Stephen and Claire told me that 8) Charles: "I didn't have time to do my homework." Charles remarked that 9) Mrs Jones: "My mother will be 50 years old." Mrs Jones told me that 10) Jean: "The boss must sign the letter." Jean said that . . . .

Reported speech - statements with expressions of time - Exercise 2

Explanation: Reported speech - statements, sentences

Finish the sentences using Reported speech. Always change the tense, although it is sometimes not necessary. Example: Peter: "I cleaned the black shoes yesterday." Peter told me that _________________________________ Answer: Peter told me that he had cleaned the black shoes the day before. 1) Emily: "Our teacher will go to Leipzig tomorrow." Emily said that 2) Helen: "I was writing a letter yesterday." Helen told me that 3) Robert: "My father flew to Dallas last year." Robert told me that . . .

4) Lisa: "Tim went to the stadium an hour ago." Lisa said that . 5) Patricia: "My mother will celebrate her birthday next weekend." Patricia said that 6) Michael: "I am going to read a book this week." . . . . . .

Michael said to me that 7) Jason and Victoria: "We will do our best in the exams tomorrow." Jason and Victoria told me that 8) Andrew: "We didn't eat fish two days ago." Andrew remarked that 9) Alice: "I spent all my pocket money on Monday." Alice complained that 10) David: "John had already gone at six." David said that

Reported questions - Exercise 1

Explanation: Reported questions

Finish the sentences using Reported speech. Always change the tense, although it is sometimes not necessary. Example: Peter: "Did John clean the black shoes?" Peter asked me _________________________________ Answer: Peter asked me if John had cleaned the black shoes. 1) Christopher: "Do you want to dance?" Christopher asked me 2) Betty: "When did you come?" Betty wanted to know 3) Mark: "Has John arrived?" Mark asked me 4) Ronald: "Where does Maria park her car?" . . .

Ronald asked me 5) Elisabeth: "Did you watch the latest film?" Elisabeth asked me 6) Mandy: "Can I help you?" Mandy wanted to know 7) Andrew: "Will Mandy have lunch with Sue?" Andrew asked me 8) Justin: "What are you doing?"

. . . .

Justin asked me . 9) Frank: "How much pocket money does Lisa get?" Frank wanted to know 10) Anne: "Must I do the shopping?" Anne asked . .

Reported questions - Exercise 1

Explanation: Reported questions

Finish the sentences using Reported speech. Always change the tense, although it is sometimes not necessary. Example: Peter: "Did John clean the black shoes?" Peter asked me _________________________________ Answer: Peter asked me if John had cleaned the black shoes. 1) Christopher: "Do you want to dance?" Christopher asked me 2) Betty: "When did you come?" Betty wanted to know 3) Mark: "Has John arrived?" Mark asked me 4) Ronald: "Where does Maria park her car?" . . .

Ronald asked me 5) Elisabeth: "Did you watch the latest film?" Elisabeth asked me 6) Mandy: "Can I help you?" Mandy wanted to know 7) Andrew: "Will Mandy have lunch with Sue?" Andrew asked me 8) Justin: "What are you doing?"

. . . .

Justin asked me . 9) Frank: "How much pocket money does Lisa get?" Frank wanted to know 10) Anne: "Must I do the shopping?" Anne asked . .