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Reported speech (indirect speech) is the grammatical technique of conveying what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. In daily life, we use reported speech constantly—when sharing news, retelling conversations, summarizing meetings, and writing academic papers. This guide focuses on the variety of reporting verbs available, advanced patterns, and practical strategies for reporting different types of speech accurately.
Table of Contents
Reporting Verbs
While "said" and "told" are the most common reporting verbs, English offers many alternatives that add precision and nuance to your reporting. Different reporting verbs convey different attitudes, intentions, and speech acts.
| Category | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Neutral | said, told, stated, mentioned, remarked, commented, explained |
| Questions | asked, inquired, wondered, wanted to know |
| Commands | told, ordered, commanded, instructed, demanded |
| Requests | asked, requested, begged, pleaded, urged |
| Promises | promised, guaranteed, swore, vowed |
| Suggestions | suggested, recommended, proposed, advised |
| Opinions | thought, believed, felt, claimed, argued, insisted |
| Warnings | warned, cautioned, threatened |
| Agreements | agreed, accepted, admitted, acknowledged, conceded |
| Refusals | refused, denied, rejected, declined |
Say vs. Tell: Key Differences
The difference between "say" and "tell" is one of the most important distinctions in reported speech.
| Say | Tell |
|---|---|
| No personal object required | Requires a personal object |
| He said (that) he was tired. | He told me (that) he was tired. |
| She said goodbye. | She told us to wait. |
✅ She said she was coming. (no object)
✅ She told me she was coming. (with object "me")
❌ She said me she was coming. (wrong!)
❌ She told she was coming. (missing object!)
Fixed expressions with "tell": tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a story, tell a joke, tell the time, tell the difference.
Reporting Statements
Statements are the most straightforward type of reported speech. Use "said" or "told" + that clause (with backshift).
"I love this city." → She said (that) she loved that city.
"We have finished." → They told us (that) they had finished.
"I will help you." → He promised (that) he would help me.
Reporting Questions
Yes/No Questions
Use asked + if/whether + statement word order.
"Have you been to Japan?" → She asked if I had been to Japan.
"Is it raining?" → He asked whether it was raining.
Wh- Questions
Use asked + question word + statement word order.
"What is your name?" → He asked what my name was.
"Why did you leave?" → She asked why I had left.
"Where do you work?" → He asked where I worked.
Reporting Commands and Instructions
Use told/ordered/instructed + object + to infinitive.
"Be quiet!" → The teacher told the students to be quiet.
"Stop!" → The police officer ordered the driver to stop.
"Don't move!" → He told us not to move.
Reporting Suggestions
Suggestions can be reported in several ways:
"Let's go to the beach." → He suggested going to the beach.
"Let's go to the beach." → He suggested that we go to the beach.
"Why don't you try again?" → She suggested that I try again.
"You should see a doctor." → She advised me to see a doctor.
Advanced Reporting Verbs and Their Patterns
Verb + (that) clause
admit, agree, claim, complain, deny, explain, insist, mention, promise, suggest
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
She insisted that she was right.
They complained that the service was slow.
Verb + object + to infinitive
advise, ask, beg, convince, encourage, invite, order, persuade, remind, tell, urge, warn
She reminded me to bring my passport.
He warned me not to go there alone.
They invited us to attend the party.
She encouraged him to apply for the job.
Verb + gerund (-ing)
admit, deny, suggest, recommend
He denied stealing the money.
She suggested taking the train.
They recommended visiting the museum.
Verb + preposition + gerund
apologize for, insist on, confess to, accuse (someone) of
He apologized for being late.
She insisted on paying the bill.
They accused him of cheating.
Summary of Reporting Verb Patterns
| Pattern | Example Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + that clause | say, tell, explain | She said that she was busy. |
| verb + to infinitive | agree, offer, promise, refuse | He agreed to help. |
| verb + object + to inf. | tell, ask, advise, warn | She told me to wait. |
| verb + -ing | suggest, deny, admit | He denied taking it. |
| verb + prep. + -ing | apologize for, insist on | He apologized for being late. |
Modal Verb Changes in Reported Speech
| Direct | Reported |
|---|---|
| can | could |
| will | would |
| may | might |
| shall | should |
| must | had to (obligation) / must (logical deduction) |
Could, would, should, might, and ought to remain unchanged in reported speech.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: "Said me" Instead of "Told me"
❌ She said me to wait. → ✅ She told me to wait.
Mistake 2: Question Inversion in Reported Questions
❌ He asked what was I doing. → ✅ He asked what I was doing.
Mistake 3: Using Question Marks in Reported Questions
❌ She asked if I was coming? → ✅ She asked if I was coming.
Mistake 4: Wrong Reporting Verb Pattern
❌ He suggested me to go. → ✅ He suggested going. / He suggested that I go.
Practice Exercises
Report the following using an appropriate reporting verb.
1. "I'll help you tomorrow," he said. (promise)
Answer: He promised to help me the next day. / He promised that he would help me the next day.
2. "Don't touch the stove," my mother said. (warn)
Answer: My mother warned me not to touch the stove.
3. "Let's take a taxi," she said. (suggest)
Answer: She suggested taking a taxi.
4. "I didn't break the window," he said. (deny)
Answer: He denied breaking the window.
5. "You should exercise more," the doctor said. (advise)
Answer: The doctor advised me to exercise more.
6. "I'm sorry for the delay," she said. (apologize)
Answer: She apologized for the delay.
7. "Would you like to come to dinner?" they said. (invite)
Answer: They invited me to come to dinner.
8. "No, I won't do it," he said. (refuse)
Answer: He refused to do it.
Reported speech goes far beyond simply changing tenses. By expanding your repertoire of reporting verbs and understanding their grammatical patterns, you can convey not just what someone said but how they said it—with nuance, precision, and style. Practice with different reporting verbs to develop flexibility and accuracy in this essential area of English grammar.
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