Reported Speech

Grammar Reference

Reported Speech — Exercises

Direct to reported speech

Rewrite in reported speech. Use the reporting verb given.

1. "Automation is creating a significant skills gap in the workforce." — The economist (said)
   
2. "We will invest in renewable energy by 2030." — The government (promised)
   
3. "Don't underestimate the impact of data privacy breaches." — The expert (warned us)
   
4. "Has the company reduced its carbon footprint this year?" — The journalist (asked)
   
5. "Why are so many workers facing redundancy?" — The union leader (demanded to know)
   

Choose the correct reporting verb

Tap the most appropriate reporting verb for each context.

1. The CEO ______ to reduce the company's carbon footprint by 40% within three years.
   (promised / denied / warned) 
2. The spokesperson ______ that the company had mishandled user data.
   (denied / agreed / suggested) 
3. The scientist ______ that fossil fuels should be phased out within a decade.
   (argued / denied / refused) 
4. The director ______ the workforce not to worry about automation-related redundancies.
   (assured / warned / demanded) 
5. The expert ______ introducing a carbon tax to reduce fossil fuel dependency.
   (suggested / refused / denied) 
6. She ______ to share her personal data with any third-party platforms.
   (refused / argued / promised) 
7. The union ______ that low wages were linked to growing inequality.
   (claimed / refused / denied) 
8. The director ______ the staff about the risks of poor cybersecurity practices.
   (warned / assured / denied) 

Tense backshift — complete

Complete the reported speech sentence with the correct backshifted form.

1. "Carbon emissions have risen by 12% this year." → She said carbon emissions by 12% that year.
   
2. "We are developing a new algorithm to combat inequality." → They announced they a new algorithm to combat inequality.
   
3. "The workforce will need to adapt to automation." → The expert warned that the workforce to adapt to automation.
   
4. "I can see the impact of remote working on our carbon footprint." → She said she the impact of remote working on their carbon footprint.
   
5. "We must tackle data privacy as a matter of urgency." → The regulator insisted they data privacy as a matter of urgency.
   

Key word transformation

1. "I didn't share your data," the company said. DENIEDThe company ______ the data.
   
2. "Please don't cut the renewable energy budget," she said to the minister. URGEDShe ______ the renewable energy budget.
   
3. "Why have so many workers been made redundant?" the journalist asked. ASKEDThe journalist ______ many workers had been made redundant.
   

Reported Speech — Answer Key

Direct to reported speech

1. Sample answer: The economist said that automation was creating a significant skills gap in the workforce.
2. Sample answer: The government promised that it would invest in renewable energy by 2030.
3. Sample answer: The expert warned us not to underestimate the impact of data privacy breaches.
4. Sample answer: The journalist asked whether the company had reduced its carbon footprint that year.
5. Sample answer: The union leader demanded to know why so many workers were facing redundancy.

Choose the correct reporting verb

1. promised
2. denied
3. argued
4. assured
5. suggested
6. refused
7. claimed
8. warned

Tense backshift — complete

1. had risen
2. were developing
3. would need
4. could see
5. must tackle

Key word transformation

1. denied having shared
2. urged the minister not to cut
3. asked why so