Report speech

Mastering Direct and Reported Speech

A comprehensive guide for English learners

What's the Difference?

Direct Speech

Direct speech uses the exact words someone says, placed within quotation marks:

"I love chocolate ice cream!" said Sarah.
"I will call you tomorrow," Tom promised.

Reported Speech

Reported speech (or indirect speech) tells us what someone said without using their exact words:

Sarah said that she loved chocolate ice cream.
Tom promised that he would call me the next day.

Making the Switch: Key Changes

🔄 Verb Tense Changes

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
Present Simple	Past Simple
Present Continuous	Past Continuous
Present Perfect	Past Perfect

⏰ Time Expression Changes

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
today	that day
tomorrow	the next day
yesterday	the day before
this week	that week
next month	the following month

📱 Real-Life Examples

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
"I am studying English."	He said he was studying English.
"We have finished our homework."	They said they had finished their homework.
"I'll meet you at the cafe."	She said she would meet me at the cafe.

🎯 Interactive Quiz

1. Transform this sentence:

"I can't find my keys," said Mark.

2. Transform this sentence:

"We are moving to Paris," announced Lisa.

3. Transform this sentence:

"I have never been to Japan," said Tom.

💡 Pro Tips

Remember!

• Tense changes aren't needed for general truths:
  Direct: "The Earth orbits around the Sun"
  Reported: The teacher said that the Earth orbits around the Sun.
• Use 'if' or 'whether' for yes/no questions:
  Direct: "Do you like pizza?"
  Reported: She asked if I liked pizza.

Practice Activities

Try These Exercises:

🎧 Listen to conversations and report them to a friend

📝 Write down interesting things people say during the day

📺 Watch your favorite TV show and report the dialogue