Reported Speech

Reference

Common mistakes

1. She said me she was tired. → She told me she was tired.
   told (not said) when a person follows
2. He asked where did I live. → He asked where I lived.
   reported questions: normal word order
3. She said that she will call me. → She said that she would call me.
   will → would in reported speech
4. He told she was late. → He told me/her/us she was late.
   tell always needs a person object

Reported Speech — Exercises

Choose the reported sentence

Circle the correct answer.

1. "I am tired." → She said she _____ tired. (was / is / has been)
2. "I will call you." → He said he _____ call me. (would / will / could)
3. "I can swim." → She said she _____ swim. (could / can / would)
4. "We saw the film." → They said they _____ the film. (had seen / saw / have seen)
5. She _____ me she was busy. (told / said)
6. He _____ that he liked pizza. (said / told)
7. "Where do you live?" → She asked me where I _____. (lived / did live / do live)
8. "Are you ready?" → He asked _____ I was ready. (if / that / are)

Report what they said

Write the missing words.

1. "I'm watching TV." → He said he   TV.
2. "I like cats." → She said she   cats.
3. "I'll be late." → Tom said he   be late.
4. "I have finished." → She said she   finished.
5. "Do you like football?" → He asked me   I liked football.
6. "What time is it?" → She asked what time  .

Reported Speech — Answer Key

Choose the reported sentence

1. was — Present → past: am → was.
2. would — will → would.
3. could — can → could.
4. had seen — Past simple → past perfect: had seen.
5. told — tell + person: she told me. (said needs no person)
6. said — No person after the verb → said.
7. lived — Reported question: normal word order, no do → where I lived.
8. if — Yes/no question → if (or whether).

Report what they said

1. was watching
2. liked
3. would
4. had
5. if
6. it was