Direct/Indirect Speech

Quoting vs Reporting

• Direct: She said, "I'm tired."
• Indirect: She said (that) she was tired.

When to Change Pronouns, Tenses, & Time/Demonstrative Words

• Pronouns shift according to the speaker's perspective
• Tenses usually shift back in time when reporting
• Time/demonstrative words (this → that, now → then) often change

Reporting Verbs (say, tell, ask, etc.)

• Common verbs to introduce reported speech: say, tell, ask, etc.
• "Say" focuses on the words; "tell" usually has an indirect object (tell someone)

Fill in the BlankHe says, 'I am hungry.' → He said (that) he(be) hungry.

He said (that) he was hungry.

Show Answer

Present → Past

• Simple present → simple past
• Present continuous → past continuous
• Present perfect → past perfect
• Will → would
• Can → could
• Must → had to (usually)

Past → Past Perfect

• Simple past → past perfect
• Past continuous → past perfect continuous

No Change Needed

• When the reported speech is still true/always true
• When introductory verb is in present tense/however it is sometimes kept unchanged for clarity

Questions

• For yes/no: say (if/whether)
• For wh-questions: keep the question word, change word order to statement form

Commands/Requests

• Use tell/ask + infinitive (without "to" for commands after tell)

Modals & Perception Verbs

• Some modals don’t change (could, might)
• Perception verbs can use reporting patterns or keep the original

Common Phrases

• He said (that) ...
• She told me (that) ...
• They asked if/whether ...
• He explained that ...
• She promised to ...

Say vs Tell

Common Reporting Verbs

Using Ask for Questions

Reporting Questions

Commands and Requests

Common Signal Phrases