English grammar: Reported speech

What this grammar point covers

Reported speech is a way to tell someone what another person said, without using their exact words.

When to use it

Use reported speech when you want to explain or report what someone else said, especially in the past.

Key forms

• Change the verb tense back (e.g., 'am' → 'was', 'will' → 'would')
• Use reporting verbs like 'say', 'tell', 'ask'
• No quotation marks
• Change pronouns and time words if needed

Examples

Tips

• Remember to change the verb tense one step back in time.
• Do not use quotation marks in reported speech.
• Change pronouns and time expressions to fit the new context.

Exceptions and edge cases

• If the reporting verb is in the present, you do not need to change the tense.
• Some modal verbs (like 'could', 'might', 'should') do not change.