Unit 48 · Reported speech
Reported speech 2
Study
We do not always change the verb in reported speech. If the situation is still the same, it is not necessary to change the verb to the past. For example:
direct Paul said, 'My new job is boring.'
reported Paul said that his new job is boring.
(The situation is still the same. His job is still boring now.)
direct Helen said, 'I want to go to Canada next year.'
reported Helen told me that she wants to go to Canada next year.
(Helen still wants to go to Canada next year.)
You can also change the verb to the past:
Paul said that his new job was boring.
Helen told me that she wanted to go to Canada next year.
But if the situation has changed or finished, you need to use a past verb. Compare:
Paul left the room suddenly. He said 'I have to go.' (direct speech)
Paul left the room suddenly. He said (that) he had to go. (not has to go)
You need to use the past in reported speech when what was said is different from what is really true. For example:
You met Rachel a few days ago. She said:
Have you heard? Joe is in hospital.
Later that day you meet Joe in the street. You say:
Joe, this is a surprise. Rachel said you were in hospital.
(not 'you are in hospital' – it's clear that he isn't)
If you say who somebody is talking to, use tell:
Rachel told me that you were in hospital. (not Rachel said me)
What did you tell the police? (not say the police)
Otherwise use say:
Rachel said that you were in hospital. (not Rachel told that …)
What did you say?
You can 'say something to somebody':
Anna said goodbye to me and left. (not Anna said me goodbye)
What did you say to the police?
We say 'tell somebody to …' and 'ask somebody to …'.
Compare direct and reported speech:
direct 'Drink plenty of water,' the doctor said to me.
reported The doctor told me to drink plenty of water.
direct 'Don't work too hard,' I said to Joe.
reported I told Joe not to work too hard.
direct 'Can you help me, please,' Jackie said to me.
reported Jackie asked me to help her.
You can also say 'Somebody said (not) to do something':
Paul said not to worry about him. (but not Paul said me)
→ Reported speech 1 → Unit 47 · Reported questions → Unit 50B
Exercises (3)
Here are some things that Sarah said to you earlier: But later Sarah says something different to you. What do you say?
- 1Sarah: Dave works very hard.But you said he was lazy.example
- 2Sarah: Let's have fish for dinner.But you said .
- 3Sarah: I'm going to buy a car.But you said .
- 4Sarah: Jane is always short of money.But you said .
- 5Sarah: My sister lives in Paris.But you said .
- 6Sarah: I think New York is a great place.But you said .
- 7Sarah: Let's go out tomorrow evening.But you said .
- 8Sarah: I've never spoken to Jane.But you said .
Complete the sentences with say or tell (in the correct form). Use only one word each time.
- 1Anna goodbye to me and left.
- 2us about your holiday. Did you have a nice time?
- 3Don't just stand there! something!
- 4I wonder where Sue is. She she would be here at 8 o'clock.
- 5Dan me that he was bored with his job.
- 6The doctor that I should rest for at least a week.
- 7Gary couldn't help me. He me to ask Chris.
- 8Gary couldn't help me. He to ask Chris.
- 9Don't anybody what I . It's a secret just between us.
- 10'Did Kate you what happened?' 'No, she didn't anything to me.'
The following sentences are direct speech: Now choose one of these to complete each of the sentences below. Use reported speech.
- 1Will was taking a long time to get ready, so I told him .example
- 2Sarah was driving too fast, so I asked .
- 3Sue was nervous about the situation. I told .
- 4I couldn't move the piano alone, so I .
- 5The security guard looked at me suspiciously and .
- 6The man started asking me personal questions, so I .
- 7Carl was in love with Maria, so he .
- 8I didn't want to delay Helen, so I .