Overview
Reported statements convert direct speech into indirect speech using a reporting verb (say, tell, explain) + that-clause, with tense backshift and pronoun changes. Example: 'I am tired' → She said she was tired. The conjunction 'that' is often omitted in informal speech.
Direct → Reported
- Change the tense (backshift), pronouns, and time expressions.
- DirectShe said, 'I am tired.'
- ReportedShe said (that) she was tired.
- DirectHe said, 'I will help you.'
- ReportedHe said (that) he would help me.
Tense Backshift
- am/is/are → was/were
- do/does →did
- will →would
- have/has →had
- can →could
Pronoun Changes
- I → he / she
- we → they
- my → his / her
- you → I / he / she / they (context-dependent)
When to use
News reporting
The minister said that taxes would increase.
Academic writing
Smith argued that the results were inconclusive.
Conversation
She told me she was moving to London.
Business emails
He confirmed that the order had been dispatched.