2. Reported Speech
• If the reporting verb is simple past, the verb in the noun
clause will usually also be in a past form, as in the
following examples:
1. “I come to class every day,” Keemz said.
Keemz said that he came to class every day.
2. “I am paying attention, Holly,” Franco said.
Franco told Holly that he was paying attention.
3. “I have not done the homework,” Misael confessed.
Misael confessed that he hadn’t done the homework.
3. Reported Speech
The modals should, ought to, and might do not change in
reported speech.
Mae said, “I might go to the movies on Friday.”
Mae said that she might go to the movies on Friday.
Moe said, “I ought to complete my blog work today.”
Moe said that he ought to complete his blog work today.
Hilal said, “I should do the laundry later.”
Hilal said that she should do the laundry later.
4. Reported Speech
Changing verbs to past forms in reported speech is common
in both speaking and writing.
However, sometimes with immediate reporting in spoken
English, no change is made in the noun clause verb.
Immediate reporting:
What did Holly just say? I didn’t hear her.
She said that she wants us to complete the blog work.
Later reporting:
I missed class yesterday. What did Holly tell us to do?
She told us that she wanted us to complete the blog work.
5. Reported Speech
Sometimes the present tense is also used in the noun
clause when the reported sentence deals with a habit
or general truth.
“The earth revolves around the sun,” Greg said.
Greg explained that the earth revolves around the
sun.
“I eat rice every day for breakfast,” Diem said.
Diem said that she eats rice every day for breakfast.
6. Reported Speech
When the reporting verb is simple, present perfect
or future, the verb inside the noun clause is not
changed.
“I study 4 hours every day,” says Hassan.
Hassan says that he studies 4 hours every day.
Hassan has said that he studies 4 hours every day.
Hassan will say that he studies 4 hours every day
(if you ask him).
7. Reported Speech
In reported speech, an imperative sentence is
changed to an infinitive.
TELL is used instead of SAY as the reporting verb.
“Study for the test!”
Holly told us to study for the test.
“Don’t be late!”
Holly told us not to be late.
