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Reported Speech ESL Games, Activities and Worksheets

  • Pre-intermediate ( A2 )
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But he told me...

Esl reported speech activity - grammar and speaking: asking and answering questions, forming sentences, true or false, guessing - group work - pre-intermediate (a2) - 40 minutes.

But he told me Preview

Double Trouble

Esl direct and indirect speech game - grammar and speaking: pelmanism, reforming sentences, controlled practice - group work - pre-intermediate (a2) - 20 minutes.

Double Trouble Preview

ESL Reported Speech Game - Grammar and Speaking: Reading and Responding to Statements, Forming Sentences, Controlled Practice - Pre-intermediate (A2) - 35 minutes

Oh Really? Preview

You said...

Esl reported speech game - grammar and speaking: miming, guessing, forming sentences - group and pair work - pre-intermediate (a2) - 25 minutes.

You said... Preview

Report This

Esl reported speech activity - grammar and speaking: asking and answering questions, forming sentences - pair work - intermediate (b1) - 25 minutes.

Report This Preview

Reporting Modal Verbs

Esl reporting modal verbs worksheet - grammar exercises: identifying, matching, gap-fill, rewriting sentences, writing a paragraph - intermediate (b1) - 30 minutes.

Reporting Modal Verbs Preview

Run and Report

Esl reported speech activity - reading, speaking and grammar: running dictation, rewriting sentences - pair work - intermediate (b1) - 25 minutes.

Run and Report Preview

Somebody told me that...

Esl reported speech activities - speaking activity: asking and answering questions - grammar game: forming sentences, guessing - group work - intermediate (b1) - 40 minutes.

Somebody told me that... Preview

Telephone Messages

Esl reported speech game - grammar and speaking: asking and answering questions from prompts, freer practice - group work - intermediate (b1) - 25 minutes.

Telephone Messages Preview

Trip Around the World

Esl reported speech activity - grammar, speaking and writing: writing questions and answers, role-play, interview, writing a short article - group and pair work - intermediate (b1) - 45 minutes.

Trip Around the World Preview

What did they say?

Esl reported speech game - grammar and speaking: asking and answering questions from prompts, writing sentences, controlled and freer practice - group work - intermediate (b1) - 45 minutes.

What did they say? Preview

What did you ask me?

Esl reported speech activity - grammar, speaking and writing: asking and answering questions, writing sentences - pair work - intermediate (b1) - 40 minutes.

What did you ask me? Preview

I asked you not to...

Esl reported speech game - grammar: forming sentences from prompts - group work - upper-intermediate (b2) - 45 minutes.

I asked you not to... Preview

Infinitive Clauses Practice

Esl infinitive clauses worksheet - grammar exercises: binary choice, gap-fill, matching, unscrambling, rewriting sentences - upper-intermediate (b2) - 25 minutes.

Infinitive Clauses Practice Preview

Listening In

Esl reported speech game - grammar: sentence completion, guessing - group and pair work - upper-intermediate (b2) - 25 minutes.

Listening In Preview

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Reported Speech

Perfect english grammar.

reported speech 4eso

Reported Statements

Here's how it works:

We use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell'. ( Click here for more about using 'say' and 'tell' .) If this verb is in the present tense, it's easy. We just put 'she says' and then the sentence:

  • Direct speech: I like ice cream.
  • Reported speech: She says (that) she likes ice cream.

We don't need to change the tense, though probably we do need to change the 'person' from 'I' to 'she', for example. We also may need to change words like 'my' and 'your'. (As I'm sure you know, often, we can choose if we want to use 'that' or not in English. I've put it in brackets () to show that it's optional. It's exactly the same if you use 'that' or if you don't use 'that'.)

But , if the reporting verb is in the past tense, then usually we change the tenses in the reported speech:

  • Reported speech: She said (that) she liked ice cream.
present simple I like ice cream She said (that) she liked ice cream.
present continuous I am living in London She said (that) she was living in London.
past simple I bought a car She said (that) she had bought a car OR She said (that) she bought a car.
past continuous I was walking along the street She said (that) she had been walking along the street.
present perfect I haven't seen Julie She said (that) she hadn't seen Julie.
past perfect* I had taken English lessons before She said (that) she had taken English lessons before.
will I'll see you later She said (that) she would see me later.
would* I would help, but... She said (that) she would help but...
can I can speak perfect English She said (that) she could speak perfect English.
could* I could swim when I was four She said (that) she could swim when she was four.
shall I shall come later She said (that) she would come later.
should* I should call my mother She said (that) she should call her mother
might* I might be late She said (that) she might be late
must I must study at the weekend She said (that) she must study at the weekend OR She said she had to study at the weekend

* doesn't change.

  • Direct speech: The sky is blue.
  • Reported speech: She said (that) the sky is/was blue.

Click here for a mixed tense exercise about practise reported statements. Click here for a list of all the reported speech exercises.

Reported Questions

So now you have no problem with making reported speech from positive and negative sentences. But how about questions?

  • Direct speech: Where do you live?
  • Reported speech: She asked me where I lived.
  • Direct speech: Where is Julie?
  • Reported speech: She asked me where Julie was.
Where is the Post Office, please? She asked me where the Post Office was.
What are you doing? She asked me what I was doing.
Who was that fantastic man? She asked me who that fantastic man had been.
  • Direct speech: Do you like chocolate?
  • Reported speech: She asked me if I liked chocolate.
Do you love me? He asked me if I loved him.
Have you ever been to Mexico? She asked me if I had ever been to Mexico.
Are you living here?
She asked me if I was living here.

Click here to practise reported 'wh' questions. Click here to practise reported 'yes / no' questions. Reported Requests

There's more! What if someone asks you to do something (in a polite way)? For example:

  • Direct speech: Close the window, please
  • Or: Could you close the window please?
  • Or: Would you mind closing the window please?
  • Reported speech: She asked me to close the window.
Please help me. She asked me to help her.
Please don't smoke. She asked me not to smoke.
Could you bring my book tonight? She asked me to bring her book that night.
Could you pass the milk, please? She asked me to pass the milk.
Would you mind coming early tomorrow? She asked me to come early the next day.
  • Direct speech: Please don't be late.
  • Reported speech: She asked us not to be late.

Reported Orders

  • Direct speech: Sit down!
  • Reported speech: She told me to sit down.
Go to bed! He told the child to go to bed.
Don't worry! He told her not to worry.
Be on time! He told me to be on time.
Don't smoke! He told us not to smoke.
  • Click here for an exercise to practise reported requests and orders.
nowthen / at that time
todayyesterday / that day / Tuesday / the 27th of June
yesterdaythe day before yesterday / the day before / Wednesday / the 5th of December
last nightthe night before, Thursday night
last weekthe week before / the previous week
tomorrowtoday / the next day / the following day / Friday
  • Click here for an exercise about using 'say' and 'tell'.
  • Click here for a list of all the reported speech exercises.

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Reported Speech: Important Grammar Rules and Examples

Reported speech is a very common aspect of the English language. You use it nearly every day, both in conversations and in writing. This reference covers key sections about reported speech, including what it is, examples, rules, and verb tense changes. You’ll also learn about modal verbs, changes in time and place, and different reporting verbs.

Reported Speech

Verb Tense Changes in Reported Speech

What Is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is simply when you tell somebody what someone else said. You can do this in your writing, or in speech. Reported speech is very different from  direct speech , which is when you show what somebody said  in the exact way that they said it . In reported speech though, you do not need to quote somebody directly.

Instead, you use a reporting verb, such as ‘say’ or ‘ask’. These reporting verbs are used to report the speech to someone else. There are many different reporting verbs that can be used.

In short, reported speech is the linguistic technique that you use to tell somebody what someone else’s  direct speech  was. In reported speech though, you may need to make certain changes to the grammar to make the sentence make sense. Some examples below highlight what needs to be changed.

Reported Speech Examples

When using reported speech, you are usually talking about the past. The verbs, therefore, usually have to be in the past too.

For example :

  • Direct speech:  I’ve lost my umbrella .
  • Reported speech:  He said (that) he had lost his umbrella.

Another example :

  • Direct speech:  She is doing her homework .
  • Reported speech:  He said (that) she was doing her homework.

Table of Changes :

Direct Speech Reported Speech
I am He said he was
I have She said she had
I will They said they would

Reported Speech Rules

Verb tense changes in reported speech.

When the reporting verb is in the present tense, only small changes are needed.

  • Direct speech:  I like dogs.
  • Reported speech:  She  says  she likes dogs.

When the reporting verb is in the past tense, you need to change the tense of both the reporting verb and the main verb.

  • Reported speech:  She  said  she  liked  dogs.

The tenses generally move backward as follows:

Direct Speech Reported Speech
Past Simple
Present Continuous Past Continuous
Past Perfect
Past Simple Past Perfect
Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous
Past Perfect Past Perfect (remains unchanged)

For sentences about the future, you also need to change the future verbs.

  • Direct speech:  I shall leave in a moment.
  • Reported speech:  She said that she would leave in a moment.

Here are the changes for future tenses:

Direct Speech Reported Speech
Will Would
Will be Would be
Will have Would have
Will have been Would have been

Modal Verbs and Reported Speech

Modal verbs also change when used in reported speech.

Direct Speech Reported Speech
Can Could
Could Could (unchanged)
Have to Had to
Must Must/Had to
May Might
Might Might (unchanged)
Should Should (unchanged)
  • Direct speech:  Will I see you later?
  • Reported speech:  He asked if he  would  see me later.

Some modal verbs do not need to change tense because they fit naturally.

  • Direct speech:  I should go to the park.
  • Reported speech:  He told me he  should  go to the park.

Here are both correct and incorrect examples of reported speech for clarity:

  • Reported speech:  He told  me  he should go to the park.
  • Reported speech:  He said he should go to the park.
  • Incorrect reported speech:  He told he should go to the park.
  • Incorrect reported speech:  He said me he should go to the park.

To correct these:

  • Add ‘me’: He told  me  he should go to the park.
  • Remove ‘me’ or add ‘to’: He said he should go to the park or He said  to  me he should go to the park.

Direct and Indirect Speech

Changes in time and place in reported speech.

References to  time  and  place often need to change when you use indirect speech. Here is a useful guide to these changes:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Now Then
Today That day
Here There
This That
Tomorrow The following day/ The next day
Next week The following week/ The week after
Yesterday The previous day/ The day before
Last week The previous week/ The week before
Ago Previously/ Before
Tonight That night

No Change in Verb Tenses in Reported Speech

In some cases,  verb tenses  do not change when you report speech indirectly. Here are the key instances:

  • When the introductory verb is in the present , present perfect , or future .
  • When the reported sentence deals with a  fact  or  general truth .
  • When the reported sentence contains a  time clause .
  • If the verb of the sentence is in the  unreal past  (the  second  or the  third conditional ).
  • The  subjunctive  stays unchanged in the  subordinate clause .
  • Had better ,  could ,  would ,  used to ,  should ,  might ,  ought to , and  mustn’t  remain unchanged.
  • If the speaker reports  something immediately  or  soon after it was said .

Reporting Verbs in Indirect Speech

Reporting verbs are crucial in indirect speech. Here is a list categorized by their usage:

  • Basic Verbs : Tell, say, ask
  • Verb + that + clause : Complain, deny, explain, exclaim, remark, promise, boast, inform somebody, claim, agree, suggest
  • Verb + to + infinitive : Agree, offer, refuse, demand, threaten, promise, claim
  • Verb + indirect object + to + infinitive : Advise, allow, beg, command, encourage, forbid, invite, want, instruct, permit, urge, order, remind, warn
  • Verb + “ing” form : Admit (to), accuse somebody of, apologize for, boast about/of, complain to somebody of, deny, insist on, suggest
  • Verb + how : Explain to somebody

Reported Questions

When converting questions from direct to indirect speech, you follow rules similar to those for statements.  Verbs  used include inquire, wonder, want to know, ask.

Reported Commands and Requests

Commands and requests  in Indirect Speech are formed using the  to-infinitive  and  not to-infinitive . Common reporting verbs include order, shout, demand, warn, beg, command, tell, insist, beseech , threaten, implore, ask, propose, forbid.

Pronoun and tense changes  are needed when shifting from direct to indirect speech.

Reported Speech Video

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reported speech 4eso

Reported speech

reported speech 4eso

When you use reported speech, the words put into the reported clause do not exactly match the words spoken.

‘I’ll leave at 8.30 on Friday.’ à She says  that she will leave at 8.30 on Friday .

‘I’m looking forward to seeing you.’ à She says  she’s looking forward to seeing us .

Pronouns  and  possessive determiners  have to change in reported speech because of the change of speaker, e.g . I  may become  she ;  you  may become  us  or  him .

‘I believe you.’ à She said that  she  believed  us .

‘I’m leaving you.’ à She said that  she  was leaving  him .

‘I’ve finished.’ à She said that  she   had finished .

Expressions of place and time may also have to change, e.g.  here  may become  there  or  home ;  Friday  may become  in three days’ time .

‘I’ve been here before.’ à She said that she  had   been   there before .

‘I’ll see you on Monday.’ à She said that she would see him  in three days’ time .

The verb may also change; the most common change is a change of tense.

‘Hello Jake? It’s me, Penny. I’ve arrived here on time, and I’m going to take a bus to your place. There’s one coming now, so I’d better run.’

She rang to say that  she’d  arrived  there  on time and  was going to  take a bus to  our  place. Then she said that one  was  coming  at that very moment , so  she had to  run.

A reporting verb in the present tense can be used in the main clause when you report on a letter or email or on a recent conversation, e.g. a phone conversation.

‘Hello, Jake? I’ve arrived here on time, and I’m going to take a bus to your place.’

Penny has just phoned. She  says  that she has arrived on time and that  she’s coming  here by bus.

However, it is more common to use a past tense when reporting speech.

The changes of tense may be summarized as follows:

Direct speech

present simple

present continuous

present perfect

present perfect continuous

past simple

past continuous

past perfect

past perfect continuous

past perfect or past simple

conditional

For further information on English Grammar, visit: https://grammar.collinsdictionary.com/easy-learning

Come back for other blogs on using English in everyday situations: https://blog.collinsdictionary.com/language-learners/learning-english/

All opinions expressed on this blog are those of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company, HarperCollins.

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Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

Exercises on reported speech.

If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

  • present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
  • place and time expressions
  • tenses (backshift)
Type Example
“I speak English.”
He says that he speaks English.
He said that he spoke English.

→ more on statements in reported speech

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:

Also note that you have to:

  • transform the question into an indirect question
  • use the interrogative or if / whether
TypeExample
“Why don’t you speak English?”
He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
“Do you speak English?”
He asked me whether / if I spoke English.

→ more on questions in reported speech

Type Example
“Carol, speak English.“
He told Carol to speak English.

→ more on requests in reported speech

Additional Information and Exeptions

Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example:

  • main clauses connected with and / but
  • tense of the introductory clause
  • reported speech for difficult tenses
  • exeptions for backshift
  • requests with must , should , ought to and let’s

→ more on additional information and exeptions in reported speech

Statements in Reported Speech

  • no backshift – change of pronouns
  • no backshift – change of pronouns and places
  • with backshift
  • with backshift and change of place and time expressions

Questions in Reported Speech

Requests in reported speech.

  • Exercise 1 – requests (positive)
  • Exercise 2 – requests (negative)
  • Exercise 3 – requests (mixed)

Mixed Exercises on Reported Speech

  • Exercise on reported speech with and without backshift

Grammar in Texts

  • „ The Canterville Ghost “ (highlight direct speech and reported speech)

ESL Activities

ESL Games, Activities, Lesson Plans, Jobs & More

in Listening · Reading · Speaking

Reported Speech Games, Activities, Worksheets and Lesson Plans

If you’re looking for some of the best reported speech games and activities, then you’re certainly in the right place. Keep on reading for our top picks, along with worksheets, lesson plans and more.

Reported speech activities

ESL Reported Speech Games

Let’s get into the best activities and games for English learners.

Top 5 Reported Speech ESL Games and Activities | Resources for ESL teachers

#1: Reported Speech Board Game

I love to play board games in real life which is why I also like to play them with my students! It’s super easy to make your own to use for just about any grammatical point, including this concept.

In this case, fill the board with a bunch of statements like the following:

  • Sister-has boyfriend
  • Friend-fired from job
  • Dad-playing golf tomorrow

Then, students have to make a reported speech statement using the information. It’s fun, engaging and a nice way to give students some practice with this important concept.

Check out this simple ESL board game so you can see how easy it is to make your own:

ESL Board Game .

#2: Ball Toss

This is a simple but versatile activity that’s perfect for reported speech. I write down a number of questions on the beach ball. Then, students take turns tossing the ball to each other and the person that catches it has to answer the question under their right thumb.

To add a reported speech element, have another student (the one who threw the ball?) report on that student’s answer. It’s simple but effective! Check it out:

Ball Toss Activity .

#3: Is that Sentence Correct

If you want to focus on forms, then consider using this simple error correction activity. Write some sentences that use the target grammar. Some have errors while others do not. Students have to find the incorrect ones and make the required changes.

It’s possible to do this in class, or for a homework activity. Have a look here:

Is that Sentence Correct? 

#4: Running Dictation

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#5: Mixed Up Sentences

Making good sentences using reported speech can be a little bit tricky. If you want to focus on forms, consider using this simple activity.

Write some sentences on the board of PowerPoint, but mix them up in terms of the order. Students have to work quickly to put them in the correct order and the first time to finish is the winner. It also makes a nice homework assignment. Try it out for yourself:

Mixed Up Sentences .

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#6: Man/Woman on the Street Interview Activity

If you want to level up the typical ESL interview activity, consider using Man or Woman on the Street. Then, to make it into a reported speech activity, have students tell someone else about what they heard. It’s fun, engaging, and lends itself well to this grammar point. Find out more:

Man/Woman on the Street Activity .

#7: Concentration

This is a fun memory game that’s ideal for a whole bunch of different grammar or vocabulary points. On one card, write down a statement, and then on the other, write down the correct form.

  • I have a boyfriend (She told me that she has a boyfriend).

Make a number of these sets. I usually do 8 of them per group of 4. Then, students play a matching memory game. Learn more here:

Concentration Game .

#8: Vocabulary Auction

#9: find someone who bingo game.

This is a nice icebreaker activity that can also be used for some practice with this grammar point. Students have to circulate around the class, asking their classmates questions to find people to fill their Bingo grid.

To make this into a reported speech activity, have students report some of the things they learned about their classmates to a partner (bigger classes) or to the entire class (smaller classes). Find out more about it:

Find Someone Who Bingo Game .

#10: More Ideas for Teaching English

#11: dictogloss and reported speech.

This is a challenging ESL activity that’s perfect for developing listening skills. It also lends itself to almost any vocabulary set or grammatical point, including this one.

Find (or write) a passage of people talking about something that they heard.. Then, put students into pairs and read it out at a faster than normal pace. Students take notes and then attempt to recreate what they heard. Repeat the process again. Finally, they can compare what they have with the original. Check it out:

Dictogloss Activity .

#12: Surveys and Reported Speech

I love to use surveys and questionnaires in my classes. They’re engaging, student-centred and cover a range of skills in a single activity. They’re also great for working on this concept if you get each student to tell their partner some of the things they learned about their classmates.

This is a simple way to cover a new concept but have a quick review of this grammar point as well. Take a look at this activity:

ESL Surveys .

ESL games and activities

#13: Brochure Scanning Activity

This is a nice activity if you have a bunch of different travel brochures. Have students quickly scan them to find important information. For example:

  • number of days

Then, have students use reported speech to tell their partner about the trip. Find out more:

Brochure Scanning Activity .

#14: ESL Review Games and Activities

#15: daily routine activities and reported speech.

In terms of topics to combine with this concept, daily routine is one of the best. It’s very simple to set up activities that lead to sentences like the following:

  • Tim told me that he gets up at 7 am.
  • Jenny said that she usually sleeps in on the weekends.

For some more ideas, have a look here:

Daily Routine ESL Activities .

#16: Error Correction Relay Race

This is a simple activity that takes something old (error correction) and makes it new again. Students have to work in teams to fix errors in a number of reported speech sentences. The first team to make all the corrections is the winner!

Want to give it a try? Learn more:

Error Correction Relay Race .

#17: Dialogue Substitution

#18: news reporting.

Provide students with news headlines or short news articles. Ask them to transform from direct speech (quoted speech) to reported speech (indirect speech) when retelling the news. This activity helps students practice the appropriate changes in verb tenses, pronouns, and time and place references.

#19: Interview and Report

Pair students up and ask them to conduct mock interviews. Afterward, have them report the interview to a different partner using reported speech. This activity allows students to practice converting direct speech into reported while maintaining the meaning and context of the conversation.

#20: Picture Stories

Provide students with a series of pictures that depict a sequence of events. Ask them to create a story using reported speech to describe what is happening in each picture. This activity encourages students to use this language in a narrative context and practice converting direct speech into reported speech.

#21: Role Plays

Create role play scenarios where students take on different roles and engage in conversations. Afterward, ask them to report the conversations to another person using reported speech. This activity allows students to practice converting direct speech into reported speech in a context that mimics real-life situations.

#22: Song Lyrics Transformation

Choose a song that contains direct speech and ask students to rewrite the lyrics using reported speech. This activity helps students practice converting direct speech in songs into reported speech while exploring the meaning and context of the lyrics.

Online Practice for Reported Speech

There are a number of sites for online practice and quizzes that cover this. They are excellent resources to recommend to students who want a little bit of extra practice. Check it out here:

Perfect English Grammar

Exam English

My English Pages

Reported Speech ESL Lesson Plans

There are lots of nice lesson plans. Here are some of the best ones to consider using:

Lingua House

Reported Speech Worksheets

If you’re a busy teacher then you’re going to know what a huge time saver it can be to use worksheets that other teachers have made. Here are some of the top picks:

ISL Collective

English Grammar

There are a number of common questions that people have about using this method of speech. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What is reported speech ESL?

Reported speech ESL is when we tell someone what another person said. You often have to use a tense that is further back in time (backshift) and may also need to change the pronouns.

What are some examples of reported speech?

Some examples of reported speech are the following:

  • They said you didn’t want to come.
  • My mom told me that she was angry at my dad.
  • I asked her what her plans were.

How do you teach reported speech?

To teach reported speech, first set the context with a short video clip, discussion question, etc. Then, explain the grammar rules for it and do some controlled practice. Finally, use an ESL game or activity that allows students to practice further.

What are the types of reported speech?

The types of reported speech are direct speech and indirect speech.

Tips for Teaching Reported Speech To English Learners

Teaching reported speech to ESL learners can be challenging, as it involves a shift in verb tense and pronoun usage. Here are some tips to make the teaching process more effective and engaging.

Start with Direct Speech

Begin by introducing and reviewing direct speech, which is the original statement or question spoken by someone. Ensure students are familiar with the use of quotation marks and the appropriate verb tenses in direct speech.

Introduce Reporting Verbs

Teach students a variety of reporting verbs such as say, tell, ask, explain, suggest, etc. Explain the different patterns that follow these reporting verbs, including the use of direct objects, indirect objects, and prepositions.

Present Tense Changes

Demonstrate how to change verb tenses when reporting speech. Provide clear examples of how present simple changes to past simple, present continuous changes to past continuous, and so on. Reinforce the importance of maintaining accuracy in verb tense changes.

Practice Conversion of Pronouns

Show students how pronouns change when reporting speech. Explain the transformation from the speaker’s pronouns (I, you, we) to the appropriate pronouns in reported speech (he, she, they). Emphasize the use of possessive pronouns when necessary.

Provide Contextualized Examples

Use authentic materials, such as dialogues, interviews, or news articles, to provide meaningful examples of reported speech. This helps students understand the purpose and practical application in real-life situations.

Use Reporting Structures

Teach students reporting structures, such as reporting statements, reporting questions, and reporting commands. Practice transforming direct speech into reported speech using these structures and provide opportunities for students to generate their own examples.

Focus on Reporting Verbs of Perception

Highlight reporting verbs of perception like see, hear, feel, notice, etc., which require a change in verb tense but do not require reporting the exact words. Provide examples to help students understand the difference between reporting statements and reporting verbs of perception.

Incorporate Speaking and Writing Activities

Encourage students to practice reported speech through role-plays, interviews, or storytelling activities. Assign writing tasks where students report a conversation or summarize an article using reported speech.

Address Common Errors

Be aware of common errors students make when learning reported speech, such as incorrect verb tense changes or pronoun usage. Provide corrective feedback and offer opportunities for targeted practice to overcome these challenges.

Review and Reinforce

Regularly review with students and provide opportunities for reinforcement through quizzes, games, or interactive exercises. Repetition and reinforcement are key to solidifying understanding and application of this language.

Did you like these Reported Speech Activities?

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You can find the book in both digital and print formats. Keep a copy on the bookshelf in your office to use as a handy reference guide. Or, take the e-version with you to your favourite coffee shop for some lesson planning on the go.

Whatever the case, get ready for some ESL grammar teaching awesome in your life. Head over to Amazon to find out more about it:

Have your Say about Reported Speech Games and Activities

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About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 20 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 100 books for English teachers and English learners, including Business English Vocabulary Builder , 67 ESL Conversation Topics ,and 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities for Teenagers and Adults . She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

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The Reported Speech

Mastering Reported Speech

Table of Contents

What is reported speech.

Reported speech is also referred to as indirect speech or indirect discourse .

Before explaining how to report a discourse, let us first distinguish between direct speech and reported speech .

Direct speech vs reported speech

More examples:

Direct speechReported speech
She says: “I like tuna fish.”She says that she likes tuna fish.
She said: “I’m visiting Paris next weekend.”She said that she was visiting Paris the following weekend.
He asked Betty: “Do you like cheese?”He wanted to know if Betty liked cheese.

Different types of reported speech

A. reporting statements, 1- pronouns.

Shifting back tenseDirect speechReported speech
(no backshift)“I poems.”He that he poems.
(backshift)“I poems He that he poems.
Direct SpeechReported Speech

He said: “I happy”

He said that he happy

He said: “I for my keys”

He said that he for his keys

He said: “I New York last year”

He said that he New York the previous year.

He said: ” I here for a long time “

He said that he there for a long time

He said: “They the work when I “

He said that they the work when he “

He said: “I football when the accident “

He said that football when the accident

He said: “I football for two hours.”

He said that football for two hours

He said: “I a newspaper when the light “

He said that he a newspaper when the light

He said: “I the door.”

He said that the door.

He said: “I a Mercedes if I rich”

He said that he a Mercedes if he rich

3. Modal verbs

ModalDirect speechReported speech
can“I do it.”He said that he do it.
may“ I go out?”He wanted to know if he go out.
must“She apply for the job.”He said that she apply for the job.
will“They call you.”He told her that they call her.

4- Place, demonstratives, and time expressions

Direct SpeechReported Speech
Time Expressions
todaythat day
nowthen
yesterdaythe day before
… days ago… days before
last weekthe week before/the previous week
next yearthe following year/the next year/ the year after
tomorrowthe next day/the following day
Place
herethere
Demonstratives
thisthat
thesethose

B. Reporting Questions

Types of questionsDirect speechReported speech
With question words (what, why, where, how…)“Why don’t you speak English?”He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
Without question words (yes or no questions)“Do you speak English?”He asked me whether/if I spoke English.

C. Reporting requests/commands

Direct speechReported speech
“Nancy, do the exercise.”He told Nancy to do the exercise.
“Nancy, give me your pen, please.”He asked Nancy to give him her pen.
Tenses are not relevant for requests, simply use / + verb (infinitive without “to”)
For affirmative use + infinitive (without to) For negative requests, use + infinitive (without to).

D. Other transformations

Main clauses connected with and/but, punctuation rules of the reported speech, can we omit that in the reported speech, list of reporting verbs.

Direct speechReported speech
simple presentsimple past
simple pastpast perfect
present continuouspast continuous
past continuouspast perfect continuous
willwould
shallshould
maymight
cancould
musthad to

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What ESL teachers usually do is simply have one student supply a statement or ask a question and then have another student report what was said/asked. However, there are others ways to practice , more creative and engaging ways, which should prevent students tuning out and help them tune in to the lesson.

This is why we often write them on the board. Try these card games instead! For the first game, prepare a set of index card each with a direct speech statement on one side and the indirect statement on the other. Divide students into pairs. Student A picks up a card and the direct statement. Student B must change what they heard into an indirect statement. Student A checks B’s reply on the back of the card. The team with the most correct points wins.

You may also try this easier version. Write the direct statements on index cards and their indirect versions on another set of cards. Divide the class into two teams. Each student must pick up a card and find the matching statement. You can make this more challenging by using statements that are similar but in different tenses.

Then a student reports something that someone asked, without revealing who it was: . Students must guess it was the police officer: .

Students read them out loud and then take turns reporting what someone said:

Students must read through them and find at least one juicy bit of celebrity gossip to report to the rest of the class: . To make this into a game, ask students to withhold the celebrity’s name and have the other students guess:

: .

Divide students into pairs. One student will be the reporter and the other will be someone worthy of an exclusive interview: 


The celebrity answers a series of questions and the reporter reports back to the class: .

; ask them to use Reported Speech in their letter: . Students then exchange letters and reply to a classmate’s problem: . Students get their original problem letters back and report to the class on what Dear Abby said: . With this activity you are giving your students two opportunities to use Reported Speech.

. This student whispers it to another: . The whispering continues through the grapevine, until it reaches the last student who must then say the original statement in direct speech. If there are differences, they must find out who made the mistake: .

Then use some liquid paper to white out what some of the characters say in their speech bubbles. Write these lines down on separate cards. Students pick up a card and try to match it to a character: .

Have the students stand in a circle. Give the first one a bean bag or the ball and set the timer for a random interval, even a short one — one minute or even six seconds, or you can even vary the intervals to make it more interesting — depending on the size of your class. When the timer stops, the student holding the bean bag must read one of the flashcards and convert it into the opposite e.g., direct speech to indirect speech, or the other way round. If they are wrong, they must leave the circle. You can vary the game by changing the flashcards to contain other words where students would need to come with sentences containing, say for example, , add , .

Each of the activities suggested above should establish a situation, a context that should help your students see just how useful really is.

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Reported speech activities

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LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this lesson with reported speech activities are to:

  • practise reported speech in various situations;
  • explore reported speech with audio recordings and film clips;
  • encourage creative thinking in conversations.

With this lesson plan, students watch film clips to practise reported statements and questions . They listen to a recording and discuss professions based on what the people said. Students also work on reported speech and reporting verbs by playing a quest game . In addition, they read situations and use reporting verbs to explain what caused them and continue conversations using different reporting verbs.

WHAT DID THEY SAY?

In this activity, students practise reported statements and questions . They watch film clips and complete sentences to report what the actors said (e.g. They aren’t my friends. — He said they weren’t his friends. ). You can also ask them to guess details about the situations by answering some questions (e.g. Why did the people say the things? ).  

GUESS THE PROFESSION

As part of the lesson on reported speech activities, students listen to a recording in which people talk about their professions. They discuss what profession each person has and use reported statements to give reasons for their answers based on what the people said.

WHAT WAS THE QUESTION?

In this task, students get cards with questions . Student A asks the question from the card but instead of reading the word in brackets, they say “beep” (e.g. I’m taking the car. Have you seen my (keys)? ). Student B guesses the word in brackets by reporting the question which includes the answer (e.g. I think you asked me if I’d seen your car. ). Then, they swap roles . 

In this exercise, students practise reporting verbs (e.g. inform, convince, promise , etc.) by playing a quest game . It consists of making choices based on a situation presented on a card. First, students complete gaps using the words in brackets. Then, they read a situation and decide what to do next. Students can play the game a few times choosing different scenarios. 

TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED

Students work on reporting verbs as part of reported speech activities. They read different situations and use verbs (e.g. accuse, remind, deny , etc.) to report what someone might have said to cause them (e.g. The police officer was furious after talking to the main suspect. – The suspect denied being involved and said he had an alibi. ). 

CONVERSATIONS

Students work with a partner in this activity. They choose one statement and continue the conversation for as long as they can using reporting verbs (e.g. promise, refuse, suggest , etc.). Students don’t have to be too serious . When they are out of ideas, they pick another statement to start a new conversation .

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(SV) Reporting Speec

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Lesson Overview

This ESL reporting speech grammar worksheet is perfect for your intermediate students. It includes a theory explanation and multiple, fun exercises.

This ESL reporting speech grammar worksheet begins with an explanation of the grammar point, detailing how to form the grammar point and when to use it. That is followed by a fun exercise which allows students to put the theory into practice. 

Next, is another exercise where students have to correctly report a quote, using reported speech. They are given a quote and a selection of verbs to choose from. Through this exercise, participants will be encouraged to use reported speech in a clear way, increasing their understanding of the grammar point. 

Afterwards, you will find an activity that will challenge students to report questions. They will do this by reading a variety of quoted questions, then they will have to use their new acquired knowledge to structure their answers correctly. Finally, this ESL reporting speech grammar worksheet ends with multiple discussion questions which encourage students to use the words in a natural way. 

Activities :

  • Theory. 
  • Reporting Speech: 1
  • Reporting Speech: 2
  • Reporting Speech: 3
  • Questions. 

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Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheets

Sentence Swap Worksheet

Sentence Swap

Speech Selector Worksheet

Speech Selector

Indirect Shift Worksheet

Indirect Shift

Quote Conversion Worksheet

Quote Conversion

Speech Facts Worksheet

Speech Facts

Punctuation Check Worksheet

Punctuation Check

Quote Mastery Worksheet

Quote Mastery

Dialogue Rewrite Worksheet

Dialogue Rewrite

Cartoon Quotes Worksheet

Cartoon Quotes

Statement Shifts Worksheet

Statement Shifts

Direct Conversion Worksheet

Direct Conversion

Quote Formatter Worksheet

Quote Formatter

Speech Shift Worksheet

Speech Shift

Winter Words Worksheet

Winter Words

Dialogue Craft Worksheet

Dialogue Craft

About these 15 worksheets.

This series of worksheets is an invaluable resource for teachers and homeschooling parents looking to enhance their students’ understanding of reported speech. These worksheets are thoughtfully designed to be both engaging and educational, providing students with a comprehensive approach to mastering the differences between direct and indirect speech. The collection, available in easy-to-access PDF format, offers a variety of activities that cater to different learning styles, making it an excellent tool for reinforcing this essential grammar concept in a fun and interactive way.

One of the standout features of this collection is its clear and simple explanations that guide students through the nuances of direct and indirect speech. For example, one worksheet starts by introducing the basics of direct speech, where the exact words of a speaker are quoted, and indirect speech, where those words are paraphrased without quotation marks. This foundational knowledge is then applied through exercises that ask students to identify whether a sentence uses direct or indirect speech, providing immediate practice that solidifies their understanding.

The collection also includes worksheets that focus on the practical application of these concepts. In one activity, students are asked to convert direct speech into indirect speech. For instance, a sentence like “Let’s go swimming,” George suggested, would be rewritten as “George suggested that they go swimming.” This exercise not only reinforces the rules of changing pronouns, verb tenses, and time expressions but also encourages students to think critically about how to convey the same meaning without using the speaker’s exact words.

Another engaging activity in this collection involves dialogue rewriting. Students are presented with a short conversation and are tasked with transforming it from direct speech into indirect speech. This type of exercise helps students understand the flow of dialogue and how to maintain the original message while adapting it into a different grammatical structure. It also fosters creativity as students must carefully consider how to rephrase each line while preserving its intent.

The worksheets also include true or false questions that challenge students to test their knowledge of the rules governing direct and indirect speech. These questions cover essential points, such as whether direct speech requires quotation marks and whether indirect speech can change the tense of the original statement. This activity is particularly effective for reinforcing the theoretical aspects of the topic, ensuring that students grasp the underlying rules before moving on to more complex tasks.

In addition to these activities, the collection features worksheets that focus on punctuation, an often overlooked but crucial aspect of direct speech. Students are given sentences and asked to determine whether they are punctuated correctly. This exercise sharpens their attention to detail and reinforces the importance of proper punctuation in conveying clear and accurate speech. By mastering these skills, students gain confidence in their writing and communication abilities.

The visual appeal of these worksheets also deserves mention. Each worksheet is accompanied by engaging illustrations that make the learning process more enjoyable for younger students. For instance, a worksheet might feature a cartoon character speaking a line of dialogue, which students must then convert into indirect speech. These visuals not only make the exercises more fun but also help visual learners better understand and remember the concepts being taught.

The worksheets include exercises that encourage students to think about the context in which direct and indirect speech is used. For example, students might be asked to rewrite a statement from a formal speech into indirect speech, considering the tone and formality required. This helps students understand how the context can influence the choice between direct and indirect speech, making them more versatile communicators.

This worksheet collection provides students with a thorough understanding of reported speech. By combining clear explanations with practical exercises, the worksheets help students grasp the rules of direct and indirect speech, apply them in various contexts, and develop strong communication skills. The variety of activities ensures that students remain engaged and challenged, making the learning process both effective and enjoyable. Whether used in the classroom or at home, these worksheets are an excellent resource for any teacher or parent looking to enhance their students’ grammar skills.

What Is Direct and Indirect Speech?

Direct and indirect speech are two ways of conveying what someone has said, with distinct differences and some similarities. Direct speech involves quoting the exact words of the speaker, typically enclosed in quotation marks, and it maintains the original tense, pronouns, and punctuation used by the speaker. For example, “I am going to the store,” she said. In contrast, indirect speech involves paraphrasing the speaker’s words without using quotation marks, often resulting in changes to pronouns, verb tenses, and time expressions to fit the context of the report. For instance, the previous example in indirect speech would be, “She said that she was going to the store.” Both forms of speech aim to convey the original message, but while direct speech preserves the speaker’s exact words, indirect speech focuses on the meaning and adjusts the language to fit the narrative context. Despite these differences, both forms are used to communicate what someone has said, making them essential tools for reporting speech in various contexts.

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Reported speech

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Patricia Pérez Millán

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Reported speech

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  1. My English Corner for 4th ESO

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  2. 4º Eso Reported Speech

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  3. Exercicios De Reported Speech

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  4. Reported Speech (4)

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  5. Reported Speech

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  6. ESL Teachers: REPORTED SPEECH

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VIDEO

  1. Reported speech(direct and indirect speech)part 1/Emar/الصف التاسع /#Mony

  2. Grammar

  3. Reported Speech

  4. REPORTED SPEECH OR INDIRECT SPEECH

  5. Grammar

  6. REPORTED SPEECH

COMMENTS

  1. Reported speech

    Reported speech Reported speech. Bruno José Trujillo Ruiz. Member for 3 years 10 months Age: 14+ Level: 4º ESO. Language: English (en) ID: 994754. 12/05/2021. Country code: ES. Country: Spain. School subject: English as a ...

  2. Reported Speech ESL Games, Activities and Worksheets

    ESL Reported Speech Activity - Grammar and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions, Forming Sentences, True or False, Guessing - Group Work - Pre-intermediate (A2) - 40 minutes. In this entertaining reported speech speaking activity, students interview each other giving true or false answers and then use reported speech to compare what the ...

  3. PDF REPORTED /INDIRECT SPEECH 4th ESO

    1) Reported Speech without backshift. Helen is in front of the class holding a presentation on London. As Helen is rather shy, she speaks with a very low voice. Your classmate Gareth does not understand her, so you have to repeat every sentence to him. Complete the sentences in reported speech (no backshift).

  4. PDF Eso 4 Revision Unit 6. Reported Speech

    ESO 4 REVISION UNIT 6. REPORTED SPEECH Grammar 1 Reescribe las frases en estilo indirecto. 1. "I often wear cotton shirts," Sarah said. ..... ..... 2.

  5. Reported Speech

    Direct speech: I like ice cream. Reported speech: She said (that) she liked ice cream. She said (that) she liked ice cream. She said (that) she was living in London. She said (that) she had bought a car OR She said (that) she bought a car. She said (that) she had been walking along the street.

  6. Reported Speech: Important Grammar Rules and Examples

    No Change in Verb Tenses in Reported Speech. In some cases, verb tenses do not change when you report speech indirectly.Here are the key instances: When the introductory verb is in the present, present perfect, or future.; When the reported sentence deals with a fact or general truth.; When the reported sentence contains a time clause.; If the verb of the sentence is in the unreal past (the ...

  7. Reported speech

    When you use reported speech, the words put into the reported clause do not exactly match the words spoken. 'I'll leave at 8.30 on Friday.' à She says that she will leave at 8.30 on Friday. 'I'm looking forward to seeing you.' à She says she's looking forward to seeing us. Pronouns and possessive determiners have to change in reported speech because of the change of speaker, e.g.

  8. Reported Speech

    Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request. Statements. When transforming statements, check whether you have to change: pronouns; present tense verbs (3rd person singular)

  9. Reported Speech Game, Activity, PDFs, Lesson Plans, Worksheets

    Reported Speech Games, Activities, Worksheets and Lesson Plans. If you're looking for some of the best reported speech games and activities, then you're certainly in the right place. Keep on reading for our top picks, along with worksheets, lesson plans and more. Reported speech activities.

  10. Indirect speech

    Exercises: 1 2 3. Indirect speech - reported speech. Exercise 1. Choose the correct form to complete the sentences below. 1 'I work in a bank.' ⇒ He said that he in a bank. 2 'I am working today.' ⇒ She told us she that day. 3 'I've been ill for a couple of weeks.' ⇒ He told me he for a couple of weeks.

  11. The Reported Speech

    1. We use direct speech to quote a speaker's exact words. We put their words within quotation marks. We add a reporting verb such as "he said" or "she asked" before or after the quote. Example: He said, "I am happy.". 2. Reported speech is a way of reporting what someone said without using quotation marks.

  12. "He Said What?" Top 10 ESL Activities for Reported Speech

    Reported Speech Card Games. For some students, the best way to learn Reported Speech is by reading the statements they have to report. This is why we often write them on the board. Try these card games instead! For the first game, prepare a set of index card each with a direct speech statement on one side and the indirect statement on the other.

  13. Reported speech activities

    practise reported speech in various situations; explore reported speech with audio recordings and film clips; encourage creative thinking in conversations. With this lesson plan, students watch film clips to practise reported statements and questions. They listen to a recording and discuss professions based on what the people said. Students ...

  14. Reported Speech

    This ESL reporting speech grammar worksheet begins with an explanation of the grammar point, detailing how to form the grammar point and when to use it. That is followed by a fun exercise which allows students to put the theory into practice. Next, is another exercise where students have to correctly report a quote, using reported speech.

  15. Reported speech interactive worksheet for 4º ESO

    ID: 194750. 15/05/2020. Country code: ES. Country: Spain. School subject: English language- English as a Second Language (928912) Main content: Reported Speech (1099414) From worksheet author: Some exercises to practise reported speech (statements, questions, orders, requests and suggestions) Loading ad...

  16. Reported Speech 4eso

    Reported speech 4eso - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free.

  17. Reported Speech

    Reported Speech worksheets by English4ESO .Reported Speech online exercise for 4 ESO Live Worksheets Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

  18. Reported Speech online exercise for 4º ESO

    ID: 989414. 10/05/2021. Country code: ES. Country: Spain. School subject: English as a Second Language (ESL) (1061958) Main content: Reported speech (2013113) From worksheet author: Complete the worksheet with the forms needed. Other contents:

  19. Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheets

    Direct and indirect speech are two ways of conveying what someone has said, with distinct differences and some similarities. Direct speech involves quoting the exact words of the speaker, typically enclosed in quotation marks, and it maintains the original tense, pronouns, and punctuation used by the speaker. ...

  20. Reported Speech

    MUSIC VIDEOS+LYRICS. Top Singles 2009/2010; Top Singles 2011/2012; Top Singles 2013/2014; US TIMELINE

  21. Sep. 2: 'A speech full of lies': Hostage Families Forum blasts

    At least 81 people were put to death in Iran in August alone, significantly more than the 45 reported in July, a group of 11 independent United Nations rights experts says in a statement.

  22. Periodic update on transaction details related to Philips' share

    Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today reported that on August 30, 2024 a total of 68,408 of its own common shares were repurchased, with a weighted average purchase price of EUR 27.37. These repurchases were made under the repurchase program to cover certain of the company's obligations arising from its long-term incentive plans, which was announced on ...

  23. Reported Speech online exercise for B1/ESO 4/BACHILLERATO

    Mastering reported speech is crucial for effective communication and writing in the English language, making this exercise an essential component of the ESL curriculum. Instructions: The instructions in the worksheet provide clear guidance on how to transform direct speech statements into indirect speech. By presenting examples like "I like ice ...

  24. Netanyahu set to return to US for United Nations speech, meetings

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to use a red marker on a map of 'The New Middle East,' as he addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

  25. Reported speech online exercise for 4TH YEAR OF ESO

    Reported speech. Patricia Pérez Millán. Member for 2 years 5 months Age: 15-18. Level: 4TH YEAR OF ESO. Language: English (en) ID: 2206090. 09/11/2022. Country code: ES. Country: Spain. School subject: English as a Second Language (ESL) (1061958) Main content: Reported speech (2013113) From worksheet author: FICHA DE CREACION PROPIA ...

  26. Reported speech online exercise for 4th eso

    Reported speech Reported speech. Loading ad... Patricia Pérez Millán. Member for 1 year 9 months Age: 15-18. Level: 4th eso. Language: English (en) ID: 2206144. 09/11/2022. Country code: ES. Country: Spain. School subject: English as ...