Reported Speech

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)

 Reported Speech
Direct Speech
The exact words that someone says are called direct speech. Quotation marks “ “are used to set off direct
speech.
Example : He said: "I am happy"
Mom said, “Where are my keys?”
“This ice cream is delicious,” said Tom.
“Have you boys washed your hands?” asked Dad.
“Please get out of the car,” the police officer ordered.
“What a beautiful dress!” said Banu.
Indirect Speech
You can report what someone says without using their exact words. To do this, use a verb like say, ask
or tell, followed by that. This is called indirect speech. There are several differences between a sentence
with direct speech and a sentence with indirect speech.
You don’t use quotation marks with indirect speech.
You change the tense of the verb.
You change the pronouns and determiners.

Tense Direct Speech Reported Speech

present simple ito Simple past

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

He said: "I am happy" He said that he was happy
She said, “I like ice cream.” She said (that) she liked ice cream.
He said, “He works in a bank." She said he worked in a bank.
She said, "I don't have a computer." She said that she didn't have a computer.
They said "We often meet friends." They said they often met friends.
She ssaid, "They never arrive on time." She said they never arrived on time.

Change the direct speech into reported speech. Use 'She said' at the beginning of each answer.
1. I don’t go to the gym very often.” ...................................................................................
2. “Rani owns three flats in the city.” ...................................................................................
3. “I never get up early on Sundays.” ...................................................................................
4. “We don’t travel much.” ...................................................................................
5. “Tony doesn’t live in Japan any.” ...................................................................................
6. “They work in Hong Kong.” ...................................................................................
7. “I don’t want to go to the theatre.” ...................................................................................
8. “We like working in Paris.” ...................................................................................
9. “Tony hates mushrooms.” ...................................................................................
10. “They often go on holiday in July.” ...................................................................................

We use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell'. If this verb is in the present tense, We do nt need to change
the tense. We just put 'she says' and then the sentence:

Direct speech: He says, "I write an email every day.”

Reported speech: She says (that) She writes an email every day.

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)

Put the sentences into reported speech.
1. Mrs Abdul tells us, "My sister works in bank." Mrs Abdul tells us (that) ..............................................
2. Mohamed says, "I feel terrible." Mohamed says (that) ....................................................
3. He tells me, "I am looking for my key." He tells me (that) ..........................................................
4. Geetha says, "She likes something to drink." Geetha says (that) ........................................................
5. They tell us, "Our car makes such a noise." They tell us (that) .........................................................
6. Aasik tells me, "He doesn't invite her to the party."Aasik says (that) ..........................................................
7. He says, “he is unwell.” He says (that) ...............................................................
8. He says, “He has passed the examination.” He says (that) ...............................................................
9. He says, “the horse died in the night” He says (that) ...............................................................

When you are using indirect speech to report a statement that is still true now, you don’t
change the tense of the verb.
direct speech indirect speech
David said, “My mom doesn’t like fish.” David said that his mom doesn’t like fish..
“I live in a house by the sea,” said Ann. Ann said that she lives in a house by the sea.
Dad said, “Colombo is a beautiful city.” Dad said Colombo is a beautiful city.
He said, “The sun rises in the east.” He said that the sun rises in the east.
They said, “The honey is sweet.” They said that the honey is sweet.

Reference : Basic English Grammar Book 2 by Howard Sargeant

The tenses may not change if the statement is still relevant or if it is a universal truth. We can often
choose whether to keep the original tenses or change them.

Direct. – “I know her address,” said Gopi.

Indirect. — Gopi said he knows/knew her address.
Direct. — The teacher said, “The earth goes round the sun.”
Indirect. — The teacher said the earth goes/went round the sun.
Direct. – “German is easy to learn”, she said.
Indirect. — She said German is/was easy to learn.

Reference : High School English Grammar - Wren and Martin

In indirect speech people often leave out the conjunction that.

She said that she felt ill. Banu said that it was time to leave.
Ali said that she couldn’t find her book. Mohan said that David was hitting him.
Mom said that she hadn’t had his breakfast yet.

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)

 Simple past ito Past Perfect
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
1. She said, “I bought a car.”I She said she had bought a car.
2. Ann said,"I want ice-cream." Ann said that she wanted ice-cream.
3. Smith Said, "he wrote a letter.” Smith said that he had written a letter.
4. He said, “The horse died in the night.” He said that the horse had died in the night.

Put the sentences into reported speech.

Write to start each sentence with 'He told me’
1) "Jane left the party early." He told me Jane had left the party early.
2) "I didn't go out at the weekend." ..........................................................................................
3) "He didn't like chocolate as a child." ..........................................................................................
4) "They visited Japan." ..........................................................................................
5) "She didn't buy the dress." ..........................................................................................
6) "I travelled through India and Pakistan." ..........................................................................................
7) "He met his girlfriend in a café." ..........................................................................................
8) "David didn't arrive until 10 o'clock." ..........................................................................................
9) "We went to the park to have a picnic." ..........................................................................................
10) "She forgot to bring the CDs." ..........................................................................................

Present Perfect into Past Perfect

1. Ranu said, "she has finished her work.” Ranu said that she had finished her work.
2. They Said, "we have started a new workshop.”They said that they had started a new workshop.
3. She said "we have eaten all the sweet mangoes.” She said that they had eaten all the sweet mangoes".

Put the sentences into reported speech.

Write to start each sentence with 'He told me’
1) "She has visited Paris three times." ..........................................................................................
2) "He has read War and Peace." ..........................................................................................
3) "I haven't seen Julie for ages." ..........................................................................................
4) "He hasn't been to school this week." ..........................................................................................
5) "I've never tried skateboarding." ..........................................................................................
6) “We haven't seen the new play.” ..........................................................................................
7) "It hasn't rained much this year." ..........................................................................................
8) "She has never swum in the sea." ..........................................................................................
9) "Julie has never studied music." ..........................................................................................
10) "He has eaten too much chocolate." ..........................................................................................

Present Continuous into Past Continuous

Put the sentences into reported speech.
Write to start each sentence with 'He told me’
1) "We're working." He told me that we were working
2) "She's coming to the party." ..........................................................................................
3) "She's talking on the telephone." ..........................................................................................
4) "Lucy is reading a book in front of the fire." ..........................................................................................
5) "I'm not going out." ..........................................................................................
6) "We are not visiting Paris during our trip." ..........................................................................................
7) "I'm listening to my new CD." ..........................................................................................
8) "John is working in a bar for the summer." ..........................................................................................
9) "I'm not going to go on holiday." ..........................................................................................
10) "She is never coming back." ..........................................................................................

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)

 Modal Verbs
will - would, won’t - wouldn’t, can - could, can’t - couldn’t, may - might, must - had to

Put the sentences into reported speech.

Write to start each sentence with 'She said’
1) "I'll go to the cinema later." [ She said she would go to the cinema later. ]
2) "We'll meet the children at six." .................................................................................
3) "She'll be late." .................................................................................
4) "Lucy can run fast come." .................................................................................
5) "I can’t stop smoking." .................................................................................
6) "John won't do it." .................................................................................
7) "They won't be able to arrive early." .................................................................................
8) "I won't come with you." .................................................................................
9) "He won't remember to buy milk." .................................................................................
10) "It won't rain later I'm sure." .................................................................................
11) "They can’t will win the next election." .................................................................................
12) "The girl must pass the exam." .................................................................................
13) "John may arrive today." .................................................................................
14) "It will be cold tonight." .................................................................................
15) "Jenny may cook dinner." .................................................................................
16) "We will get married next year." .................................................................................
17) "I won't be able to afford a new car." .................................................................................
18) "She won't want to attend the meeting." .................................................................................
19) "Richard can’t drink coffee." .................................................................................
20) "I may not vote at the next election.” .................................................................................

Reported Speech Questions (Yes/No Questions)

1. “Am I late?" [ She asked me if / whether she was late. ]
2) "Are they in Paris?" [ She asked me if they were in Paris. ]
4) "Is the bus stop near the shopping centre?" ................................................................................
5) "Was the milk fresh?" ................................................................................
6) " Were you a doctor?" .................................................................................
7) "Is my brother in the garden?" .................................................................................
8) "Did Julie drink tea?" .................................................................................
9) "Do you like chocolate?" .................................................................................
10) "Did they own a flat?" .................................................................................
11) "Has David gone to the cinema often?" .................................................................................
12) "Had the children studied Chinese?" .................................................................................
13) "Have they gone on holiday every summer?" .................................................................................
14) "Is your sister living in Colombo?" .................................................................................
15) "Did I talk too much?" .................................................................................
16) "Does Jennifer want a new job?" .................................................................................
17) "Was it raining a lot in London?" .................................................................................
18) "Is John at home?" .................................................................................
19). "Is the weather good in London in the summer?".................................................................................
20)Are James and Lucy from France?" ................................................................................

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)

Reported Speech Questions (Wh questions)

1) "Why is Rani sad?" [ She asked me why Rani was sad. ]

2) "What's for dinner?" [ She asked me what was for dinner. ]
3) "Who is the woman in the red dress?" ................................................................................
4) "How is your grandmother?" ................................................................................
[5) "When was the party?" ................................................................................
6) "How much is the rent on your flat?" ................................................................................
7) "Where were the glasses?" ................................................................................
8) "How is the weather in London?" ................................................................................
9) "Who was the Prime Minister of Canada?"................................................................................
10) "Where did you usually go swimming?" ................................................................................
11) "What did Rani do at the weekend?" ................................................................................
12) "Where do your parents live?" ................................................................................
13) "Who do you go running with?" ................................................................................
14) "When did Abdul get up?" ................................................................................
15) "How much TV do you watch?" ................................................................................
16) "How many books do they own?" ................................................................................
17) "Where is John working?" ................................................................................
18) "What do the children study on Fridays?"................................................................................
19) "Why have you studied English?" ................................................................................
20) "Where is the post office?" ................................................................................

Reported Requests and Orders

1) "Please help me carry this." [ She asked me to help her carry that. ]
2) "Please come early." [ She asked me to come early. ]
3) "Please buy some milk." ...............................................................................
4) "Could you please open the window?" ...............................................................................
5) "Could you bring the book tonight?" ...............................................................................
6) "Would you mind passing the salt?" ...............................................................................
7) "Would you mind lending me a pencil?" ...............................................................................
8) "Do your homework!" ...............................................................................
9) "Don't smoke!" ...............................................................................
10) "Don't be late!" ...............................................................................
11) "Go to bed!" ...............................................................................
12) "Tidy your room!" ...............................................................................
13) "Wait here!" ...............................................................................
14) "Don't do that!" ...............................................................................
15) "Eat your dinner!" ...............................................................................
16) "Don't make a mess!" ...............................................................................
17) "Do the washing-up!" ...............................................................................

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)

Test 1
Given below is a conversation Romesh had with Theekshana . Complete the blanks with what Romesh
wrote to another friend of them mentioning about the conversation. The first one is done for you.
Romesh : Hello! Theekshana. Where did you go yesterday?
Theekshana : I participated in a Shramadana Campaign at the park. Did you go for Drama practices?
Romesh : No, I attended a wedding yesterday.
Theekshana : My teacher asked me to come to school today. She wants me to help with costumes.
Romesh : My father has some suitable clothes for you to use.
Theekshana : Thank you very much.

I met Theekshana yesterday. He said that he (1)__had participated____ in a Shramadana on the previous
day. He asked me whether I (2)___________________ for drama practices. I said that I
(3)________________________a wedding. Theekshana said that his teacher (4) ___________
__________________ him to come to school and she (5)_____________________ him to help with
costumes. I told him that my father (6)_________________ some suitable clothes for him to use.
Test 2
Given below is a conversation Kamal had with his friends about their annual trip. Complete the extract
from a letter Kamal wrote to another friend a few days later mentioning about this conversation. The first
one is done for you.
Raja : We have planned to go to Sigiriya.
Kumara : I like to go there.
Ajmal : We can see lovely frescoes in Sigiriya.
Prabhath : My father is going to arrange the bus for the trip.
Saman : My mother promised to prepare sweet meats for all.
Kamal : I will inform the others soon.
We discussed about our annual trip last Monday. Raja said that (1) they had planned to go to Sigiriya.
Kumara said that he (2) __________________________________________________. Ajmal said that
they (3) __________________________________________________________. Prabhath said that his
father (4) ___________________________________________________ _______________________.
Saman said that (5) _____________________________________
______________________________. I told them that I (6) ______________________________
____________________________.

Gayan is absent for a week. His friends are discussing about him. Complete the blanks with what his
friend, Nisal wrote to another friend mentioning about the conversation. The first one is done for you.
Rasika : Gayan didn’t come to school for a week.
Raja : He may be sick.
Kamala : I saw his brother yesterday.
Praba : We can ask about Gayan from him.
Neela : We shall go to his place to see him.
Teacher : He has sent a letter of excuse to me.

Rasika said that Gayan (1) hadn’t come to school for a week._____ Raja said that (2)
___________________________________________________. Kamala said that she (3)
___________________________________________________. Praba suggested that they (4)
________________________________________________________________. Neela said that (5)
________________________________________________________. Then our teacher told us that (6)
_____________________________________________ _______________________________.

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)

Following sentences are taken from a dialogue between a journalist and a member of a society. Convert
them into indirect speech. The first one is done for you.
 “I am a Journalist”
 “I need some information about the society”
 “ First I want to know the name of the society”
 “ The facts about the society are really useful”
 “ I like to meet the president”
 “ It is a nice idea”

He said that he was a journalist._______________________________________

The Journalist said ___________________________some information about the society.
He said that he __________________ to know the name of the society first.
The journalist said that the facts about the society ______________ really useful.
He also said that he _____________________ to meet the president.
He finally said that it______________________ a nice idea.

You met a new friend at the interschool sports meet. Here are the things he said. Report these to a friend
of yours using indirect speech. The first one is done for you.
 “ I have won two races”
 “ I am enjoying this event”
 “ I live in Kandy”
 “ I missed my first chance”
 “ I don’t have much time to waste”
 “ I am going to practice more”
He said that he (1) had won two races._______________ and he (2) _______________
_____________________________________. He said that (3) ___________________________
____________________. He sadly said that (4) _______________________________________
___________________ and he (5) _________________________________________________. Then
he said that he (6) __________________________________________________________ and went
away.

The members of the Buddhist society discuss how to celebrate vesak in school this time. After listening
to you all, Chamari, the head prefect reported all the information to the teacher in charge. Help Chamari
to report them using reported speech. The first one is done for you.
Dilshani : We will select the best vesak lantern.
Dulan : Last year we gave ‘ Dansala’.
Nissanka : The girls are going to make some vesak cards.
Nadeera : We can sing Bhakthi gee.
Kavin : Our class decided to erect a pandol for vesak.
Pasan : I will prepare a notice to inform them
Dilshani said that they (1) would select the best vesak lantern.________ Dulan said that (2)
______________________________________________________. Nissanka said that (3)
__________________________________________________________________________. Nadeera
said that (4) ___________________________________________________________. Kavin said that
that their (5) _____________________________________________________
_________________________. Pasan said that (6) ___________________________________
______________________________________.

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)

OL 2016

OL2017

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)

OL 2019

Prepared by ML. Kulabdeen, BT/BC/Al-Muneera Balika MV, Eravur (0777953711)