Rule: Reported Speech ShowHide

When we report what somebody said, the tense usually goes one step back, and pronouns change to fit the speaker: "I like painting," said Edward. → Edward said he liked painting.

They said	We report
Present Simple: "I don't need it."	Past Simple: You said you didn't need it.
Present Continuous: "It's raining."	Past Continuous: Sam told me it was raining.
Past Simple, Present Perfect: "I've lost my shoes."	Past Perfect: Peppa said she had lost her shoes.
will: "We'll never be friends again."	would: Suzy said they would never be friends again.
can: "You can go camping."	could: Mum said I could go camping.

said or told

• say (that) …: He said (that) Jack was waiting.
• tell + somebody: He told me Jack was waiting – not He said me.

Reported questions

• Yes / no questions take if or whether: "Will the medicine help?" → Carl asked if the medicine would help.
• Other questions keep the question word: "Where can I play football?" → Fred asked where he could play football.
• The word order is normal: no do / does / did and no question mark.

Time and place

• now → then · today → that day
• tomorrow → the next day
• yesterday → the day before
• here → there · this → that

Games on Reported Speech

Ready-made games on this topic. Open one on the board and play in teams.

Open the Box · 15 boxesReported Speech team game (B1)A team game for B1: open a box and answer – Reported Speech.Play

Flashcards · 24 cardsReported Speech practice (B1)Cards for B1: answer, then flip the card to check – Reported Speech.Play

Play this exercise

The sentences of this exercise as a game – nothing to set up.

Open the BoxTeam gameOpen a box, answer, win points.Play

FlashcardsFlip and checkSay the answer, then flip the card.Play