1. Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how declarative sentences (statements) are transformed from direct speech into reported speech.
A declarative sentence simply states information. When we report such sentences, we normally introduce them using reporting verbs and that-clauses.
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “The experiment is successful.”
Reported speech:
She said that the experiment was successful.
Although the conjunction “that” is often used, it may sometimes be omitted, especially in informal contexts.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
-
convert direct statements into reported speech
-
understand the structure of that-clauses
-
use common reporting verbs such as say, tell, explain, mention, and report
-
avoid common errors when reporting declarative sentences
2. Concept Introduction
Consider the following example:
Direct speech:
He said, “The report is complete.”
Reported speech:
He said that the report was complete.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| quotation marks used | quotation marks removed |
| present tense | past tense (backshift) |
| exact words | reported meaning |
Reported speech focuses on the meaning of the statement rather than the exact wording.
3. Core Explanation
When reporting a statement, we normally use the following structure:
subject + reporting verb + (that) + clause
Example:
She said that the results were accurate.
The word “that” introduces the reported clause and connects it to the reporting verb.
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “The system is working properly.”
Reported speech:
She said that the system was working properly.
4. Rule Table
Basic Structure of Reported Statements
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| subject + said + (that) + clause | She said that the experiment was successful. |
Using “Tell”
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| subject + told + object + (that) + clause | She told us that the experiment was successful. |
Example:
The instructor told the students that the report was important.
Other Reporting Verbs
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| explain | She explained that the process required precision. |
| mention | He mentioned that the data needed revision. |
| report | The technician reported that the device had failed. |
| state | The scientist stated that the results were reliable. |
5. Usage
1. Reporting factual statements
Example:
The researcher said that the experiment was successful.
2. Reporting explanations
Example:
The instructor explained that the method required careful observation.
3. Reporting information
Example:
She mentioned that the report needed further revision.
4. Reporting official statements
Example:
The spokesperson reported that the project had been completed.
5. Reporting personal opinions
Example:
He said that the results were surprising.
6. Signal Words
Certain reporting verbs commonly introduce reported statements.
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| said that | She said that the results were promising. |
| told | He told the team that the system had failed. |
| explained that | The instructor explained that the method was reliable. |
| mentioned that | She mentioned that the report needed revision. |
| reported that | The technician reported that the device had malfunctioned. |
7. Special Cases
Optional “That”
The conjunction “that” may sometimes be omitted.
Example:
Formal:
She said that the experiment was successful.
Informal:
She said the experiment was successful.
Both forms are grammatically correct.
Say vs Tell
| Verb | Structure |
|---|---|
| say | say + (that) clause |
| tell | tell + object + (that) clause |
Examples:
She said that the data were correct.
She told the team that the data were correct.
8. Additional Notes
Reported statements are widely used in news reports, academic writing, research articles, and everyday communication.
Example:
The scientist stated that the results required further investigation.
These constructions allow speakers to summarise information clearly without quoting exact words.
9. Common Errors
⚠ Incorrect use of quotation marks
Incorrect:
She said that “the experiment was successful.”
Correct:
She said that the experiment was successful.
Explanation:
Reported speech does not use quotation marks.
⚠ Confusing “say” and “tell”
Incorrect:
She said me that the experiment was successful.
Correct:
She told me that the experiment was successful.
Explanation:
Tell requires an object.
⚠ Missing reporting verb
Incorrect:
That the results were accurate.
Correct:
He said that the results were accurate.
Explanation:
A reported clause must be introduced by a reporting verb.
⚠ Incorrect clause order
Incorrect:
She said that was successful the experiment.
Correct:
She said that the experiment was successful.
Explanation:
Reported clauses follow normal sentence order.
⚠ Incorrect tense shift
Incorrect:
She said that the experiment is successful.
Correct:
She said that the experiment was successful.
Explanation:
Present tense usually shifts to past tense.
10. Lesson Mastery
After completing this lesson, you should now be able to:
✅ convert direct statements into reported speech
✅ use that-clauses correctly
✅ apply reporting verbs such as say, tell, explain, mention, and report
✅ avoid common errors when reporting declarative sentences