What Are Reported Statements Rules Tense Changes and Examples
Understanding reported statements is comparatively easy. The most common verb that we use to report statements is telling. Reported speech is called Direct and Indirect Speech or even Narration. In Indirect Speech, we express the speaker's message in our own words. Hence, the message can be conveyed in the following 2 ways:
Direct speech simply means repeating the exact words that are spoken and Indirect speech is actually reporting the words.
For instance, we must have heard someone saying “He loves the Toy Story films,” and in another way,” He said she loved the Toy Story films.” Here, the first sentence is direct speech and the second sentence is indirect speech. Also, we see that someone is reporting about a person who likes a Toy story film.
On this page, we will go through the illustrated reported statements examples and also differentiate between reported and direct statements.
Reported Statement Basic Rule
As a general rule, any changes in the tense of the reported speech rely upon the tense of the reporting verb in the direct speech. Therefore, we need to understand that when the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported verb also turns to the past tense.
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Now, let us go through some more reported statement examples.
Examples of Reported Statements
Direct: He said, ‘I may come to your home tomorrow.’
Indirect: He said that he might come to your home tomorrow.
Direct: He said, ‘I will marry a girl only if she stays abroad with me.’
Indirect: He said that he would marry her only if she stays abroad with me.
Direct: He said, ‘I have decided not to put the house on rent because it is off the main road.’
Indirect: He said that he had decided not to put the house on rent because it was off the main road.
Direct: He said, ‘girls and boys, we must make the right decision here and now.’
Indirect: He told his audience that they would have to make the right decision there and then.
Direct: He said to his friend, ‘I have been walking for a long time from my hometown. I am getting totally exhausted.’
Indirect: He told his friend that he had been walking for a long time from my hometown. He is getting totally exhausted.’
Now, let us understand a variety of topics under the reported and direct statements:
The Introductory Sentence for a Reported Speech
Simple Present
If the introductory sentence has the Simple Present tense, there are no chances of a backshift of tenses.
For instance, there are the following examples:
Direct Speech → Marina: “Mary is a freelancer.”
Reported Speech → Marina says (that)* Mary is a freelancer.
The introductory sentence here is that Marina says ... → and this sentence is in the simple present, here, we notice that there is no backshift of tenses.
If the Introductory Sentence in the Simple Past
Assume that the introductory sentence is in the Simple Past, there are chances of backshifting of tenses.
For Instance:
Direct Speech → Marina: “Mary is a freelancer.”
Reported Speech → Marina said (that)* Mary was a freelancer.
The introductory sentence used here is: Marina said ... → this sentence is in the Simple Past, and there is a backshift of tenses.
Types of Introductory Sentences
The word that we use in introductory sentences can be replaced with other words, e.g.
Add
Decide
Know
Mention
Remark
tell
think
Change of Persons/Pronouns
The person or a pronoun used in Direct Speech may be adjusted in Reported Speech, depending on the situation.
Riya and Jiya are discussing the latest fashion at school. Riya says to Jiya:
Riya: “I like your new trendy top.”
Possibility 1:
Jiya says to her friend Marco in the afternoon.
Riya said (that) she liked my new trendy top.
Possibility 2:
Riya says to her friend Jonathan in the afternoon:
I said (that) I liked her new trendy top.
Backshift of Tenses
It happens that if the introductory sentence is in the Simple Past, there is a backshift of tenses in Reported Speech. What happens here is, we shift the tense used in Direct Speech by one step back in Reported Speech.
However, if we use the Past Perfect tense or the modals, such as would, could, should, might, must, must, and needn't in Direct Speech there is the probability to shift the tense back in Reported Speech.
Examples of Reported and Direct Statements
Facts on Reporting Statements
Now, let us go through the frequently asked questions on reported and direct statements.
Conclusion
From the above text, we understand that a message conveyed exactly is direct speech. However, conveying it in an indirect way is reporting the words.
FAQs on Reported Statements in English Grammar
1. What are reported statements in English grammar?
A reported statement is a sentence that tells what someone said without using their exact words. It is also called indirect speech.
- Direct speech: She said, “I am tired.”
- Reported statement: She said that she was tired.
2. How do you change a direct statement into a reported statement?
To change a direct statement into a reported statement, remove quotation marks and adjust tense, pronouns, and time expressions if needed.
- Step 1: Remove quotation marks.
- Step 2: Add a reporting verb (e.g., said, told).
- Step 3: Change pronouns and time words.
- Step 4: Backshift the tense if required.
3. What is tense backshifting in reported statements?
Tense backshifting is the change of verb tense to a past form when the reporting verb is in the past tense.
- Present simple → Past simple (am → was)
- Present continuous → Past continuous (is working → was working)
- Will → Would
4. When do you not change the tense in reported speech?
You do not change the tense in reported speech when the statement expresses a general truth or a fact that is still true.
- “The sun rises in the east.”
- He said that the sun rises in the east.
5. How do pronouns change in reported statements?
Pronouns in reported statements change according to the speaker and the listener.
- “I” may become he or she.
- “My” may become his or her.
- “You” may change depending on context.
6. How do time and place expressions change in reported speech?
Time and place words often change in reported speech to match the new context.
- Today → that day
- Tomorrow → the next day
- Yesterday → the day before
- Here → there
7. What is the difference between 'said' and 'told' in reported statements?
The main difference is that told must be followed by an object, while said does not require one.
- Correct: She told me that she was busy.
- Correct: She said that she was busy.
- Incorrect: She told that she was busy.
8. Can we use 'that' in reported statements?
Yes, the word that is commonly used to introduce a reported statement, but it can be omitted in informal English.
- She said that she was happy.
- She said she was happy.
9. What are common mistakes in reported statements?
Common mistakes in reported statements include incorrect tense changes, pronoun errors, and wrong word order.
- Forgetting tense backshift after a past reporting verb.
- Not changing time expressions (e.g., tomorrow → the next day).
- Using told without an object.
10. Why are reported statements important in English?
Reported statements are important because they allow us to share information, conversations, and opinions without quoting exact words. They are widely used in spoken English, academic writing, journalism, and storytelling.
- Used to report conversations.
- Common in news reports.
- Essential for narrative writing.
