An informative guide on mastering reported speech in English, designed for ESL students seeking to improve their grammar and conversational abilities.

 

Introduction to Reported Speech

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is a way to express what someone has said without using their exact words. This lesson, "Mastering Reported Speech in English," is designed to help ESL learners grasp how to use reported speech in conversations and writing correctly. Understanding reported speech is crucial for effective communication, as it allows you to relay information accurately and understand others' statements in various contexts.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the concept of reported speech and its importance.
  • Learn to convert direct speech into reported speech.
  • Recognize the changes in verb tenses, pronouns, and time expressions when using reported speech.

This lesson is presented in British English and is tailored for beginners.

What is Reported Speech?

Reported speech involves conveying a message or statement made by someone else, often changing the original speaker's exact words. It's a fundamental aspect of English that reflects real-life conversations, storytelling, and information sharing. Reported speech requires adjustments in verb tenses, pronouns, and time expressions to fit the context of the reporting.

How to Use Reported Speech Correctly

To use reported speech correctly, follow these key steps:

  1. Change the verb tense: Often, the verb tense in reported speech moves one step back in time compared to direct speech (e.g., "says" becomes "said").
  2. Adjust pronouns: Pronouns should be changed to match the perspective of the reporter.
  3. Modify time expressions: Time references often need adjustment (e.g., "today" becomes "that day").

 

Examples Transformed into Reported Speech

  • Let's start with some examples of transforming sentences from direct speech to reported speech:

    1. Original Sentence: "Why don't you help me to carry it?"

      • Reported Sentence: She asked why I didn't help her to carry it.

      Explanation: In reported speech, we change the pronouns and the tense of the verb. Here, 'you' becomes 'I,' and 'don't' changes to 'didn't.'

    2. Original Sentence: "This computer doesn't work. I don't know what to do."

      • Reported Sentence: He said that the computer didn't work and he didn't know what to do.

      Explanation: In this case, 'doesn't' becomes 'didn't,' and 'I' changes to 'he.' We also combine both sentences using 'and.'

    Additional Examples Let's continue with more examples:

    1. Original Sentence: "I'm thirsty, honey. I fancy some orange juice."

      • Reported Sentence: She told her husband that she was thirsty and fancied some orange juice.

      Explanation: We change 'I'm' to 'she was,' 'honey' to 'her husband,' and 'fancy' to 'fancied.'

 

Conclusion and Takeaways

Grasping reported speech enhances your ability to share stories, report conversations, and understand spoken and written narratives in English. Practice is essential—try converting direct speech into reported speech with various examples, and pay attention to the context and changes in verb tenses and pronouns.

  • Practice with Diverse Sources: Use books, movies, and real-life conversations as practice material.
  • Peer Review: Share exercises with peers or teachers to get feedback.
  • Daily Application: Incorporate reported speech in your daily English usage to build fluency.
  • Visual Learning Aids: Create visual reminders of key rules and examples.

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