REPORTED SPEECH (INDIRECT SPEECH)

Reported Speech (Indirect 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. 

Reported Speech

When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

pronouns present tense verbs (3rd person

singular) place and time expressions tenses (backshift)

Reported Speech

Also note that you have to: transform the question into an

indirect question use the interrogative or if / whether

Guess Who I Bumped Into?Tim wandered along the path thinking aloud, "IfI continue this diet I should lose twenty poundsby the end of..." when BOOM! he bumped intoanother city dweller out for a day's walk in thepark. "I'm terribly sorry", he apologized. "I wasso caught up in my thoughts I didn't see you!" hemanaged to stammer. Smiling, Sheila responded,"It's OK. Nothing's broken... No really, I wasn'twatching my step either."

Guess Who I Bumped Into? (cont’d)

Suddenly they both stopped making excuses and stared at each other. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" inquired Tim while Sheila exclaimed, "You're Tim, Jack's brother, aren't you?!" They both began to laugh as they had met each other the week before at a party that Jack had given. Still laughing, Tim suggested, "Why don't we have a cup a coffee and a donut?" to which Sheila replied, "I thought you wanted to continue your diet!" They both were still laughing by the time they reached the Swimming Donut cafe.