Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B2 - Lesson 3: Using Reported Speech (Statements, Questions, Commands)

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B2

Using Reported Speech

Listen to the examples here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to fluently report statements, questions, and commands in your everyday speech.

The Three Core Changes 🔄

When we report what someone said in the past, three things usually change: the verb tense, the pronouns, and the time/place words.

1. Tense Backshift (Moving the Tense Back)

The verb tense "moves back" one step into the past.
Direct: "I am busy."
Reported: "He said he was busy."

2. Pronoun Change (Changing the Person)

Pronouns change to match the new speaker's perspective.
Direct: "I need your help."
Reported: "She said that she needed my help."

3. Time/Place Word Change

Words like "tomorrow" and "here" often change.
Direct: "I will do it tomorrow."
Reported: "He said he would do it the next day."

How to Report Different Types of Speech

Reporting Statements

Direct: "I'm tired."

⬇️

Reported: She said that she was tired.

Reporting Yes/No Questions

Direct: "Are you coming?"

⬇️

Reported: He asked me if I was coming.

Reporting Wh- Questions

Direct: "What time is it?"

⬇️

Reported: She asked me what time it was.

Reporting Commands & Requests

Direct: "Close the door."

⬇️

Reported: He told me to close the door.

Scenario: Recounting a Conversation 🗣️

Listen to Dara telling his friend about a phone call. Notice how he naturally reports different types of speech.

Advanced Skill: Using Richer Reporting Verbs

💡 Beyond "Say" and "Ask"

To make your speaking more descriptive and precise, use more interesting reporting verbs.

• Instead of "He said he was sorry," try: "He apologized."
• Instead of "She said she would pay," try: "She offered to pay."
• Instead of "He told me not to go," try: "He warned me not to go."
• Instead of "He said, 'No, I will not do it!'" try: "He refused to do it."

Check Your Understanding 🎯

Practice Quiz: Report It Correctly

Choose the best option to report the direct speech. Click "Check Answers" when you're done.

1. Direct: "Where did you buy your new phone?" he asked me.

A) He asked me where did I buy my new phone. B) He asked me where I had bought my new phone. C) He asked me where I bought my new phone.

2. Direct: "Don't forget to lock the door," my mother said.

A) My mother told me don't forget to lock the door. B) My mother asked if I forgot to lock the door. C) My mother reminded me to lock the door.

Key Vocabulary

• Reported Speech | ការនិយាយបន្ត
  A way of saying what someone else said, without using their exact words. (Also called indirect speech).
• Backshift | ការផ្លាស់ប្តូរកាល
  The rule where verb tenses move one step into the past in reported speech (e.g., 'is' becomes 'was').
• Infinitive | កិរិយាស័ព្ទ infinitive
  The basic form of a verb, usually with 'to' (e.g., to go, to see, to ask).
• Apologize | សុំទោស
  To say that you are sorry.
• Remind | រំលឹក
  To make someone remember to do something.
• Refuse | បដិសេធ
  To say that you will not do something.

Your Mission: The Gossip Report ⭐

Your mission is to practice retelling a conversation.

1. Think of a real conversation you had recently (with a friend, family member, or coworker).
2. Imagine telling another person about it.
3. Record yourself for 60-90 seconds. Your goal is to include at least one reported statement, one reported question, and one reported command/request.
4. Listen back and check your use of tenses, pronouns, and reporting structures. This is excellent practice for making this complex grammar automatic.

Example Start: "I was talking to my boss... He told me that the project was late. Then he asked me if I could work on Saturday..."