We use reported speech (indirect speech) to tell someone what another person said, without quoting their exact words. When the reporting verb is in the past (said, told, asked), the tenses usually move one step back. Use the table to see how the tenses change, then try the exercises. Each answer is explained.
| Direct speech | Reported speech |
|---|---|
| “I am tired.” | She said she was tired. |
| “I’m working.” | He said he was working. |
| “I saw him.” / “I’ve seen him.” | She said she had seen him. |
| “I will call.” / “I can come.” | He said he would call / could come. |
| “Are you hungry?” | She asked if I was hungry. |
| “Where do you live?” | He asked where I lived. |
| “Close the door.” / “Don’t be late.” | She told me to close the door / not to be late. |
Reported speech exercises
Four sets of 20 questions: statements, questions and orders (A2–B1), backshift and reporting verbs (B1–B2), advanced verb patterns (C1), and an At work set. Where the tense can stay the same because something is still true, both answers are accepted. Prefer to check everything at the end? Switch to Exam mode.
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“I’m tired.” → She said she tired.
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He me he was busy.
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She that she liked the film.
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“I live in Rome.” → He said he (live) in Rome.
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“I will call you.” → She said she call me.
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“I can swim.” → He said he swim.
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“We’re watching TV.” → They said they (watch) TV.
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“Where do you live?” → She asked me where I .
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“Are you hungry?” → He asked me I was hungry.
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“Close the door.” → She told me (close) the door.
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“Don’t be late.” → My boss told me late.
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“I saw Tom yesterday.” → She said she had seen Tom .
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“I’m going to buy a car.” → He said he (buy) a car.
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He told that he was leaving.
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“What’s your name?” → The teacher asked me what my name .
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“I have finished.” → She said she .
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“Can you help me?” → He asked me if I help him.
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She said me that she was sorry.
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“Please sit down.” → The doctor asked me down.
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“I don’t like coffee.” → He said he like coffee.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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“I’ve lost my keys.” → She said she her keys.
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Last Monday he said he would see me .
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“Did you enjoy the party?” → She asked me if I (enjoy) the party.
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“Where are you going?” → He asked me where .
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“I was working.” → She said she working.
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“We must leave now.” → They said they leave then.
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“Let’s go to the cinema.” → She going to the cinema.
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“I didn’t steal the money!” → He stealing the money.
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“I’ll help you.” → She promised (help) me.
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“This is my house.” → He said that was his house.
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“Water boils at 100°C.” → The teacher said water at 100°C.
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“How long have you lived here?” → She asked how long I there.
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“Don’t touch anything.” → The guide warned us (not / touch) anything.
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“I’m meeting Sarah here.” → He said he was meeting Sarah .
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“Could you open the window?” → She asked me the window.
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“I may be late.” → He said he be late.
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“What did you buy?” → She wanted to know what I .
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“I’ll do it tonight.” → Yesterday he said he would do it .
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“You should see a doctor.” → She me to see a doctor.
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“Do you speak English?” → They asked me I spoke English.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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She me of lying.
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He apologised late.
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“You should take a break.” → She suggested that I (take) a break.
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He insisted for the meal.
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“I’ll definitely come.” → She assured me that she .
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She refused the contract.
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“Shall I carry your bag?” → He offered (carry) my bag.
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This morning she said she tomorrow.
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They congratulated me the exam.
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“Why don’t we hire more staff?” → The manager suggested (hire) more staff.
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“Did you take my phone?” → She asked me whether I her phone.
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He admitted the window.
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“Remember to lock the door.” → She reminded me the door.
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“I won’t tell anyone.” → He promised he (not / tell) anyone.
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She threatened the police.
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“You must be tired.” → He said I be tired.
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“I wish I had more time.” → She said she wished she (have) more time.
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“Wow, what a great idea!” → He that it was a great idea.
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The spokesperson declined on the rumours.
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“If I were you, I’d apologise.” → She advised me .
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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My manager me that the meeting was cancelled.
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“The report is ready.” → She said the report ready.
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“We will send the invoice tomorrow.” → They said they (send) the invoice the next day.
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The client asked we could deliver by Friday.
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“Don’t share these documents.” → HR told us the documents.
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“When does the meeting start?” → He asked me when the meeting (start).
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“Let’s postpone the launch.” → The CEO postponing the launch.
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“I’ll call you back.” → He promised me back.
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“I’ve already sent the email.” → She said she (already / send) the email.
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“Can you work on Saturday?” → My boss asked me if I work on Saturday.
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The supplier denied the wrong items.
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“We’re losing money.” → The CFO said the company money.
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“Please send me the file.” → She asked me (send) her the file.
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He that the project was behind schedule.
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“How much does it cost?” → The client wanted to know how much it .
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“You should update your CV.” → My mentor advised me (update) my CV.
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“I’m sorry I missed the call.” → She apologised the call.
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“I’ll finish the report next week.” → Last month he said he would finish it .
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“Are the figures correct?” → The auditor asked the figures were correct.
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The manager reminded us our timesheets.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
Time and place words
If you report the words later or somewhere else, time and place words change too: now → then, today → that day, yesterday → the day before, tomorrow → the next day, next week → the following week, here → there, this → that.
Reporting verbs and their patterns
- + to + verb: promise, refuse, offer, agree, threaten (She refused to sign.)
- + person + to + verb: tell, ask, advise, remind, warn (He reminded me to lock the door.)
- + -ing: suggest, deny, admit (He denied taking the money.)
- + preposition + -ing: apologise for, insist on, accuse sb of, congratulate sb on (She accused me of lying.)
Common mistakes
- ❌ He said me he was busy. → ✅ He told me / He said he was busy.
- ❌ She asked me where did I live. → ✅ She asked me where I lived.
- ❌ He suggested to go to the cinema. → ✅ He suggested going to the cinema.
FAQ
Do I always have to change the tense?
No. If the reporting verb is in the present (He says he’s tired), nothing changes. If the statement is still true or is a general fact, you can keep the original tense: She said she lives in Rome (she still does). Must for deduction, could, would, should and might never change.
What’s the difference between “say” and “tell”?
Tell needs a person directly after it: She told me that… Say doesn’t: She said that… If you add a person after say, use to: She said to me that… For orders and requests, use tell / ask + person + to.
Can I use “whether” instead of “if”?
Yes, in reported yes/no questions both are correct: She asked if / whether I was ready. Whether is a little more formal and is preferred before or not: He asked whether or not we had finished.