Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B2 - Lesson 3: Using Reported Speech (Statements, Questions, Commands) 🗣️💬🔁
Objective: To learn and practice how to accurately report statements, questions, and commands using appropriate grammatical structures and changes (tense backshift, pronoun changes, etc.).
- Understand the concept of reported speech (indirect speech) and its purpose.
- Learn the rules for changing tenses, pronouns, and time/place adverbs when reporting statements.
- Practice reporting yes/no questions and wh-questions, including changes in word order.
- Learn how to report commands and requests using infinitives.
- Apply these rules in spoken practice.
Reported speech (or indirect speech) is how we tell someone what another person said, without using their exact words. It's a very common and important part of everyday communication, used when sharing news, telling stories, or recounting conversations. Mastering reported speech involves understanding changes in tenses, pronouns, and other words, which we will explore in this lesson.
1. Reporting Statements
When reporting what someone said, we often use reporting verbs like say, tell, explain, mention, add, etc. Key changes often include:
- Tense Backshift: The verb tense in the reported clause usually shifts one step back into the past.
- Present Simple → Past Simple: "I like coffee." → She said she liked coffee.
- Present Continuous → Past Continuous: "I am studying." → He said he was studying.
- Past Simple → Past Perfect: "I visited Kep." → She said she had visited Kep.
- Present Perfect → Past Perfect: "I have finished my work." → He said he had finished his work.
- (Past Perfect usually doesn't change: "I had already eaten." → She said she had already eaten.)
- Pronoun Changes: Pronouns often change depending on who is reporting. (e.g., "I" becomes "he/she", "my" becomes "his/her").
- Time and Place Adverbs: These may also change (e.g., "now" → "then", "today" → "that day", "here" → "there", "tomorrow" → "the next day").
Example Sentences:
- Direct: Srey Pov said, "I am very busy today."
Reported: Srey Pov said that she was very busy that day. - Direct: David told me, "We went to the cinema last night."
Reported: David told me that they had gone to the cinema the night before. - Direct: My teacher explained, "You have to submit your assignment tomorrow."
Reported: My teacher explained that I/we had to submit my/our assignment the next day.
2. Reporting Questions
When reporting questions, the word order changes from question form to statement form (subject + verb). The question mark is not used. Common reporting verbs are ask, inquire, wonder.
A. Yes/No Questions:
Use if or whether.
- Direct: She asked, "Are you coming to the party?"
Reported: She asked if/whether I was coming to the party. - Direct: He inquired, "Do you like Khmer food?"
Reported: He inquired if/whether I liked Khmer food.
B. Wh- Questions (who, what, where, when, why, how):
Use the same wh-word. Remember tense backshift and pronoun changes.
- Direct: My friend asked, "Where are you going?"
Reported: My friend asked where I was going. - Direct: The tourist wondered, "How much does this cost?"
Reported: The tourist wondered how much that cost.
3. Reporting Commands & Requests
For commands and requests, we usually use a reporting verb like tell, order (for commands), or ask (for requests), followed by an object pronoun and the to-infinitive form of the verb.
Examples:
- Direct Command: The teacher said, "Open your books."
Reported: The teacher told us to open our books. - Direct Request: She said, "Please help me with this bag."
Reported: She asked me to help her with that bag. - Direct Negative Command: Father said, "Don't be late."
Reported: Father told me not to be late.
Important Considerations for Tense Backshift
Sometimes, tense backshift is not necessary or is optional:
- If the situation is still true or a general truth/fact:
Direct: "The Earth is round," he explained.
Reported: He explained that the Earth is (or was) round. - If the reporting verb is in the Present Simple (e.g., he says):
Direct: Sopheak says, "I am feeling tired."
Reported: Sopheak says that she is feeling tired. (No backshift) - Modal verbs: 'Might', 'could', 'would', 'should', 'ought to' usually do not change. 'Can' → 'could', 'may' → 'might'.
Direct: "I can swim." → He said he could swim.
Direct: "You should study." → She said I should study.
Practice Activities
Activity 1: Convert to Reported Speech
Change the following sentences from direct speech to reported speech. Click the button to hear a sample answer.
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Direct: My mother said, "I am cooking dinner now."
Your reported speech: -
Direct: The tour guide asked, "Have you ever visited Angkor Wat before?"
Your reported speech: -
Direct: The police officer ordered, "Show me your driver's license."
Your reported speech: -
Direct: My friend asked, "What time does the bus to Kampot leave?"
Your reported speech:
Activity 2: Reporting a Short Conversation
Imagine you overheard this short conversation between two friends, Dara and Chantha. Later, you tell another friend what they said. How would you report it?
Dara: "I'm planning a trip to Mondulkiri next month."
Chantha: "That sounds exciting! Have you booked your accommodation yet?"
Dara: "Not yet. I'm still looking for a good guesthouse."
Chantha: "You should try the 'Nature Lodge'. My brother stayed there and he loved it."
(Practice telling this to a partner or record yourself.)
Click for a sample way to start reporting:
- Choose the right reporting verb: "Said" is common, but use "told (someone)," "asked," "explained," "suggested," "ordered," etc., to add more meaning.
- Remember pronoun changes: "I" might become "he/she," "you" might become "I/he/she/they," "my" might become "his/her," etc., depending on the context.
- Pay attention to time/place words: "Today" becomes "that day," "tomorrow" becomes "the next day," "here" becomes "there," etc., if the context of reporting is different from the original.
- Practice tense backshift: This is often the trickiest part. Make a list of common tense changes.
- Don't backshift if the information is still true for the speaker or is a general truth.
Summary: Reported speech is essential for sharing conversations and information. Key aspects include choosing appropriate reporting verbs, changing tenses (backshift), pronouns, and time/place expressions as needed. Understanding these rules for reporting statements, questions, and commands will significantly improve your ability to communicate complex information accurately in English.