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

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B2

Using Reported Speech

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

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

2. Pronoun Change

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.

"I just got off the phone with my sister, Sreymom. It was interesting. First, she told me that she was thinking about changing her job. Naturally, I asked her why she wanted to leave. Then she asked me if I knew of any good job openings. Before she hung up, she asked me to send her my new CV as an example. It was a long conversation!"

Advanced Skill: Using Richer Reporting Verbs

💡 Beyond "Say" and "Ask"

To make your speaking more descriptive, 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

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.

→ Answer: B or C. Both are correct in modern usage. B is the traditional backshift, while C is common in informal speech.

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.

→ Answer: C. "Reminded me to" is a much more precise and fluent way to report this.

Key Vocabulary

• Reported Speech (Noun) | ការនិយាយបន្ត
  A way of saying what someone else said, without using their exact words. (Also called indirect speech).
• Backshift (Noun) | ការផ្លាស់ប្តូរកាល
  The rule where verb tenses move one step into the past in reported speech.
• Infinitive (Noun) | កិរិយាស័ព្ទ infinitive
  The basic form of a verb (e.g., to go, to see, to ask).

Your Mission: The Gossip Report ⭐

Your mission is to practice retelling a conversation.

1. Think of a real conversation you had recently.
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.