GRAMMAR REVIEW! Reported speech

Reported speech (also known as indirect speech) is when we report what someone else said without quoting them directly.

KEY FEATURES

No quotation marks — We don't use the speaker's exact words.
Tense shift (usually backshift) — Tenses often change because we're talking about something said in the past.
Pronoun changes — Pronouns shift to match the speaker and listener.
Time and place words may change — Words like now, today, here often change.

USAGE EXAMPLES

• Statements
Direct speech:
She said, "I am tired."
Reported speech:
She said (that) she was tired.
Direct speech:
He said, "I like pizza."
Reported speech:
He said (that) he liked pizza.

• Questions
Direct speech:
He asked, "Where are you going?"
Reported speech:
He asked where I was going.
Direct speech:
She asked, "Do you like chocolate?"
Reported speech:
She asked if I liked chocolate.

• Commands and Requests
Direct speech:
She said, "Close the window."
Reported speech:
She told me to close the window.
Direct speech:
He said, "Please help me."
Reported speech:
He asked me to help him.

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