Reported Speech: Rules and Examples (Indirect Speech)
Reported speech made simple: the one-step-back tense rule, how pronouns and time words change, and how to report questions, with clear examples.
Reported speech (also called indirect speech) is how you tell someone what another person said, without quoting their exact words. The main change is that verbs usually shift one step back in time, and pronouns and time words often change too.
| Direct speech | Reported speech |
|---|---|
| She said, “I am tired.” | She said she was tired. |
| He said, “I work here.” | He said he worked there. |
| “I will call,” she said. | She said she would call. |
| “I have finished,” he said. | He said he had finished. |
The tense shifts back
Pronouns and time words change too
- Pronouns shift to the reporter’s point of view: I becomes he/she.
- Time and place words shift: now becomes then, today becomes that day, here becomes there, tomorrow becomes the next day.
Reporting questions
For questions, use asked, drop the question word order, and use if or whether for yes/no questions.
- Direct: “Where do you live?” → She asked where I lived.
- Direct: “Are you ready?” → He asked if I was ready.
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What is reported speech?
Reported or indirect speech is telling someone what another person said without their exact words. She said, I am busy becomes she said she was busy. The verb usually shifts one step back in time, and pronouns and time words change.
Does the tense always change in reported speech?
Usually yes, one step back: present to past, will to would. But if what was said is still true or a general fact, you can keep the present: she said she works in Pune. The backshift is optional in that case.
How do I report a question?
Use asked, change the word order back to a normal statement, and use if or whether for yes/no questions. Are you coming? becomes he asked if I was coming. Where is it? becomes she asked where it was.
Related Grammar Lessons
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