Direct and Reported Speech: notes

The Idea

Direct speech gives the exact words in speech marks. Reported speech tells what was said without them.

• Direct: "I am tired," said Tino.
• Reported: Tino said that he was tired.

What Changes

• Tense moves back one step: is becomes was; will becomes would; can becomes could; has gone becomes had gone.
• Pronouns change to fit the speaker: I becomes he or she.
• Time and place words change: today becomes that day; tomorrow becomes the next day; here becomes there; now becomes then.

Questions and Commands

• Questions become statements in word order, with no question mark: "Where do you live?" becomes She asked where I lived. Use if or whether for yes or no questions.
• Commands and requests use to: "Close the door," becomes He told me to close the door.

Reporting Verbs

• Choose the verb that matches the meaning: warned, advised, apologised, suggested, insisted.