1. Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn the fundamental concept of reported speech, also called indirect speech or narration.
Reported speech is used when we report what someone said without quoting their exact words. Instead of repeating the original sentence exactly, we reconstruct the meaning of the statement within another sentence.
This process often involves changes in:
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verb tense
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pronouns
-
time expressions
-
sentence structure
Understanding reported speech allows learners to accurately describe conversations, statements, and information given by others.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
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distinguish between direct speech and reported speech
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understand how reporting verbs introduce statements
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recognise the basic structure of reported speech
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understand how reported speech changes sentence structure and emphasis
2. Concept Introduction
Consider the following sentences:
Direct speech:
She said, “The experiment is successful.”
Reported speech:
She said that the experiment was successful.
| Type | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Direct speech | She said, “The experiment is successful.” |
| Reported speech | She said that the experiment was successful. |
In direct speech, we repeat the speaker’s exact words.
In reported speech, we describe what the speaker said.
3. Core Explanation
Direct Speech
Direct speech reproduces the exact words spoken by a person.
Example:
He said, “I will finish the report today.”
Characteristics of direct speech:
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quotation marks are used
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the speaker’s exact words are preserved
-
the sentence remains unchanged
Reported Speech
Reported speech conveys the meaning of what someone said without repeating the exact words.
Example:
He said that he would finish the report that day.
In reported speech:
-
quotation marks are removed
-
pronouns may change
-
verb tenses may shift
-
time expressions may change
4. Rule Table
Structure of Direct Speech
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| reporting verb + comma + quotation marks | She said, “The data are correct.” |
Structure of Reported Speech
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| subject + reporting verb + (that) + clause | She said that the data were correct. |
The conjunction “that” may sometimes be omitted.
Example:
She said the data were correct.
Common Reporting Verbs
| Reporting Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| say | She said that the experiment was successful. |
| tell | He told us that the results were accurate. |
| explain | The scientist explained that the method was reliable. |
| mention | She mentioned that the data needed revision. |
| report | The technician reported that the system had failed. |
5. Usage
1. Reporting information
Example:
The researcher said that the results were promising.
2. Reporting conversations
Example:
She said that she would review the report later.
3. Reporting news or statements
Example:
The spokesperson announced that the project would continue.
4. Reporting explanations
Example:
The instructor explained that the process required careful observation.
5. Reporting previous statements
Example:
He mentioned that the experiment had produced unexpected results.
6. Signal Words
Certain reporting verbs often signal reported speech.
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| said that | She said that the experiment was successful. |
| told | He told the team that the system needed testing. |
| explained that | The scientist explained that the results were reliable. |
| mentioned that | She mentioned that the report was incomplete. |
| reported that | The technician reported that the device had malfunctioned. |
These expressions introduce reported statements.
7. Special Cases
Optional “That”
The conjunction “that” can often be omitted in informal contexts.
Example:
Formal:
She said that the experiment was successful.
Informal:
She said the experiment was successful.
Both sentences are grammatically correct.
Reporting Verb in Present Tense
If the reporting verb is in the present tense, the tense of the reported clause usually does not change.
Example:
Direct speech:
She says, “I like this method.”
Reported speech:
She says that she likes this method.
8. Additional Notes
Reported speech allows speakers and writers to summarise or explain what someone said without quoting them exactly.
It is widely used in:
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news reporting
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academic writing
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research reports
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storytelling and narratives
Example:
The scientist stated that the findings required further investigation.
9. Common Errors
⚠ Keeping quotation marks in reported speech
Incorrect:
She said that “the experiment was successful.”
Correct:
She said that the experiment was successful.
Explanation:
Reported speech does not use quotation marks.
⚠ Incorrect pronoun reference
Incorrect:
She said that I completed the report.
(if she completed it)
Correct:
She said that she completed the report.
Explanation:
Pronouns must match the speaker’s perspective.
⚠ Missing reporting verb
Incorrect:
That the experiment was successful.
Correct:
She said that the experiment was successful.
Explanation:
Reported speech requires a reporting verb.
⚠ Incorrect clause structure
Incorrect:
She said that is successful the experiment.
Correct:
She said that the experiment was successful.
Explanation:
Reported clauses follow normal sentence order.
⚠ 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.
10. Lesson Mastery
After completing this lesson, you should now be able to:
✅ distinguish between direct speech and reported speech
✅ recognise how reporting verbs introduce statements
✅ understand the basic structure of reported speech
✅ identify how reported speech changes sentence structure