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Interactive Grammar: Reporting Conversations Naturally quiz

Use natural spoken reporting patterns — dropping that, optional tense changes, discourse markers like apparently and supposedly.

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Grammar Explanation · Authentic Examples · Practice Questions

Lesson progressNot started
Duration
~31 min
Questions
21
Level
Intermediate

Overview

Reporting conversations in everyday English often uses natural markers: Apparently…, According to him…, She was like '…' (very informal), He goes '…' (informal), I heard that…, They were saying…. These patterns reflect real spoken English rather than textbook grammar rules.

Natural Reporting in English

  • Native speakers often reduce or omit formal reported speech structures.
  • Discourse markersApparently / Supposedly / According to
  • Tense flexibility'She said she can help.' (not always 'could')
  • Omitting 'that''He said he'd come.' (natural spoken English)

Spoken English Reporting Phrases

  • apparentlyI don't know directly — apparently there's been an accident.
  • supposedlySupposedly, the meeting's been cancelled.
  • so I heardThey're engaged — or so I heard.
  • rumour has itRumour has it he's leaving.

Informal Speech Acts

  • be likeShe was like, 'No way!' (very informal)
  • goHe goes, 'I had no idea.' (narrative use)
  • be allShe was all, 'It's not fair.' (very informal)

When to use

Chatting

Apparently she got the job!

Anecdotes

And she was like, 'I can't believe it!'

Social media

Supposedly the launch is next week.

Café talk

So I heard they broke up.

Reporting Conversations Naturally

Choose the most natural spoken English option.

Multiple Choice5 questionsB1 — Intermediate~8 min
1Which sounds most natural in informal speech?
2Which is correct informal spoken reporting?
3Which discourse marker signals hearsay?
4Which is a valid informal alternative to 'he said'?
5Is omitting 'that' in spoken reported speech acceptable?
Progress0 of 5 answered

Natural Reporting Markers — Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the natural conversational reporting marker.

Fill in the Blanks8 questionsB1 — Intermediate~12 min
1Apparently, they broke up last week.
2According tohim, the flight was delayed.
3She waslike, 'I can't believe this!'
4Hegoes, 'No way, that's crazy!'
5Iheardthat the restaurant closed down.
6Theywere sayingthat the project might be cancelled.
7According tomy sister, the concert was amazing.
8Apparently, he's already found a new job.
Progress0 of 8 answered

Reporting Conversations Naturally — Transform

Rewrite each sentence as a natural conversational report using the given marker.

Transform8 questionsB1 — Intermediate~12 min

1I heard she got promoted. → → Use 'Apparently'

2His sister told him the shop was closing. → → Use 'According to'

3She said, 'This is unbelievable!' → → Use 'was like' (very informal)

4He said, 'I'm quitting my job.' → → Use 'goes' (informal)

5Someone told me the shop is closing. → → Use 'I heard that'

6Colleagues kept mentioning the merger might fall through. → → Use 'They were saying'

7The news reported the trains would be delayed. → → Use 'Apparently'

8His neighbour told him the concert was cancelled. → → Use 'According to'

Progress0 of 8 answered

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this lesson on reporting Conversations Naturally cover?

Use natural spoken reporting patterns — dropping that, optional tense changes, discourse markers like apparently and supposedly.

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 reporting Conversations Naturally?

Start with the definition above, then work through the examples to see how reporting Conversations Naturally 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 reporting Conversations Naturally relate to the rest of direct and indirect speech?

Reporting Conversations Naturally 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: Reporting Advice quiz
  2. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Commands quiz
  3. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Conversations Naturally quizYou are here
  4. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Future Forms quiz
  5. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Invitations quiz
  6. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Past Tenses quiz
  7. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Phone Conversations 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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