1. Lesson Overview

In this lesson, you will learn how pronouns and reference expressions change in reported speech.

When direct speech is transformed into reported speech, not only do tenses shift, but pronouns, possessive forms, and reference expressions must also change to match the new speaker’s perspective.

Example

Direct speech:

She said, “I will finish my report tomorrow.”

Reported speech:

She said that she would finish her report the next day.

In this transformation:

I → she
my → her
tomorrow → the next day

Understanding these adjustments helps ensure that reported speech remains clear, logical, and grammatically accurate.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• recognise how pronouns change in reported speech

• adjust possessive forms according to the speaker

• transform time and place expressions

• identify and correct reference errors

2. Concept Introduction

Consider the following example.

Direct speech:

John said, “I will complete my project today.”

Reported speech:

John said that he would complete his project that day.

These changes are necessary because the speaker and the time reference have shifted.

3. Core Explanation

Reported speech often requires three types of reference changes:

1. Pronoun changes

2. Possessive changes

3. Time and place expression changes

These adjustments ensure that the sentence remains logically consistent from the reporter’s perspective.

Pronoun Changes

Pronouns change depending on who originally spoke and who is reporting the speech.

Example:

Direct speech:

She said, “I am tired.”

Reported speech:

She said that she was tired.

The pronoun I changes to she.

Possessive Changes

Possessive forms also adjust according to the new subject of the sentence.

Example:

Direct speech:

He said, “My report is finished.”

Reported speech:

He said that his report was finished.

Time and Place Changes

Expressions referring to time and location often change in reported speech.

Example:

Direct speech:

She said, “I will meet you here tomorrow.”

Reported speech:

She said that she would meet me there the next day.

4. Rule Table

Pronoun Changes

Example:

She said, “We are ready.”
→ She said that they were ready.

Possessive Changes

Example:

She said, “My project is finished.”
→ She said that her project was finished.

Time Expression Changes

Example:

She said, “I will start tomorrow.”
→ She said that she would start the next day.

Place Expression Changes

Example:

He said, “I like this place.”
→ He said that he liked that place.

5. Usage

1. Reporting conversations

Example:

She said that she was preparing her presentation.

2. Reporting past plans

Example:

He said that he would travel the next day.

3. Reporting instructions

Example:

The manager said that the team should complete their tasks quickly.

4. Reporting statements involving time references

Example:

She said that the meeting had started earlier that day.

5. Reporting location references

Example:

He said that the equipment was stored there.

6. Signal Words

Reference changes often involve expressions indicating time or place.

These expressions help maintain logical reference in reported speech.

7. Special Cases

Context-Based Pronoun Changes

Pronoun changes depend on who reports the speech and who the listener is.

Example:

Direct speech:

She said, “I will call you.”

Reported speech:

She said that she would call me.

The pronoun you becomes me because the listener changes.

When Time Expressions Do Not Change

If the reporting occurs immediately, time expressions may remain the same.

Example:

Direct speech:

She said, “I will start today.”

Reported speech:

She said that she would start today.

This occurs when the time reference still applies.

8. Additional Notes

Reference changes depend on context and perspective.

For example, the word you may change differently depending on who the listener is.

Example:

Direct speech:

She said, “You must complete the report.”

Reported speech:

She said that I must complete the report.

or

She said that they must complete the report.

The correct form depends on who is being addressed.

9. Common Errors

⚠ Incorrect pronoun change

Incorrect:

She said that I was tired.

Correct:

She said that she was tired.

Explanation:
The pronoun must match the original speaker.

⚠ Incorrect possessive form

Incorrect:

He said that my report was finished.

Correct:

He said that his report was finished.

Explanation:
Possessive forms must change according to the subject.

⚠ Incorrect time expression

Incorrect:

She said that she would start tomorrow.

Correct:

She said that she would start the next day.

Explanation:
Time references often change in reported speech.

⚠ Incorrect place reference

Incorrect:

He said that the meeting would happen here.

Correct:

He said that the meeting would happen there.

Explanation:
Place expressions change depending on the reporting context.

⚠ Mixing direct and reported reference

Incorrect:

She said that I will finish my report tomorrow.

Correct:

She said that she would finish her report the next day.

Explanation:
All references must adjust consistently.

10. Lesson Mastery

After completing this lesson, you should now be able to:

✅ explain how pronouns change in reported speech
✅ adjust possessive forms according to the speaker
✅ transform time and place expressions correctly
✅ identify and correct reference errors in reported speech