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Interactive Grammar: Reported Speech in Conversations quiz

Report informal conversations naturally — choosing the right reporting verb, tense, and register for everyday spoken English.

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Lesson progressNot started
Duration
~31 min
Questions
21
Level
Intermediate

Overview

In everyday spoken English, reported speech is often simplified: 'that' is omitted, backshift may be skipped for recent speech, and informal markers like 'apparently' or 'she was like' are used. These spoken patterns differ from written grammar rules but are natural and widely accepted.

Natural Conversation Reporting

  • In spoken English, reported speech is often less formal than written rules suggest.
  • That-drop'She said she was tired.' (no 'that' needed)
  • No backshift'He said he can't come tomorrow.' (recent, still valid)
  • Natural'She goes: I'm so tired.' (informal spoken style)

Common Spoken Reporting Phrases

  • apparentlyApparently, she's moving to Paris.
  • supposedlySupposedly, the meeting was cancelled.
  • according toAccording to Mark, the film was great.
  • go/be likeShe was like, 'I can't believe it!' (informal)

Formal vs Informal Reporting

  • InformalShe goes, 'I'm not going.'
  • NeutralShe said she wasn't going.
  • FormalShe stated that she would not be attending.

When to use

Gossip

Apparently, they're getting married!

Texting

She said she'd be there at 7.

Social

According to Tom, the party was amazing.

Storytelling

And she goes, 'I had no idea!'

Reported Speech in Conversations

Choose the most natural way to report each conversation.

Multiple Choice5 questionsB1 — Intermediate~8 min
1Which is the most natural spoken version?
2Which is typical of spoken English reporting?
3Which adds the speaker's attitude?
4Which is more informal?
5Which phrase is used in informal spoken reporting?
Progress0 of 5 answered

Reported Speech in Conversations — Fill in the Blanks

Complete each casual spoken report naturally.

Fill in the Blanks8 questionsB1 — Intermediate~12 min
1Casual: 'I love this song.' → Shesaid (that is often dropped)she loved that song.
2Direct: 'I can't come tonight,' told a minute ago. → He said hecouldn't come (backshift, natural spoken)that night.
3Apparently, she's moving to Berlin next month.
4Very informal retelling: She waslike, 'We're getting married!'
5Direct: 'I'm exhausted,' told just now. → He told me hewas exhausted (backshift, natural spoken).
6Casual: 'I already told you.' → She said shehad already told me (backshift).
7Casual retelling, informal verb: He justgoes'No way!'
8Casual: 'I don't know.' → He just said hedidn't know.
Progress0 of 8 answered

Reported Speech in Conversations — Transform

Rewrite each quote as a natural spoken report.

Transform8 questionsB1 — Intermediate~12 min

1'I'm really tired,' she said. → → Natural spoken report, omit 'that'

2I heard she got the job. → → Add an informal hearsay marker

3'No way!' she said, surprised. → → Very informal spoken report using 'was like'

4'I can't believe it,' he said, just now. → → Natural spoken report

5'We're leaving early,' they said. → → Natural spoken report, omit 'that'

6'I already finished it,' she said. → → Natural spoken report

7'This is amazing!' he said. → → Informal spoken report using 'goes'

8'I might be late,' she said. → → Natural spoken report

Progress0 of 8 answered

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this lesson on reported Speech in Conversations cover?

Report informal conversations naturally — choosing the right reporting verb, tense, and register for everyday spoken English.

Which CEFR level is this lesson designed for?

This lesson is designed for Intermediate (B1) learners and forms part of the Direct and Indirect Speech section on Grammartier.

What is the best approach for studying reported Speech in Conversations?

Start with the definition above, then work through the examples to see how reported Speech in Conversations behaves in context. Since this is a Intermediate (B1) topic within direct and indirect speech, focus on using the structure accurately in context and noticing the mistakes learners typically make with it — this is the level where small errors start to matter for fluency. Finish with the quiz below to check what's actually sticking.

How does reported Speech in Conversations relate to the rest of direct and indirect speech?

Reported Speech in Conversations is one of the Intermediate–level topics grouped under Direct and Indirect Speech on Grammartier. Understanding it well makes the related lessons in the same category easier to follow — use the related-lessons links on this page to keep building on it once you've completed this quiz.

Your Grammar Learning Path

Follow the CEFR progression for this topic cluster.

  1. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Place Changes in Reported Speech quiz
  2. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Pronoun Changes in Reported Speech quiz
  3. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reported Speech in Conversations quizYou are here
  4. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Advice quiz
  5. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Commands quiz
  6. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Conversations Naturally quiz
  7. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Future Forms quiz

Before You Start

Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first.

Related Concepts

Deepen your grammar knowledge with these related B1 topics.

Continue Your Grammar Journey

Ready for the next step? These lessons build on what you've learned.

Avoid common mistakes: Common Mistakes in Reported Speech →See where this fits in the full roadmap →

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