Change as directed Mimi said, “I have been writing this letter.” I said, “Sam's driving the car.” My uncle said, “I am cooking lunch.” My brother said, “I had already eaten.” The old lady said to the girl, “Where do you come from?” Jon said, “I like to play rugby.” My mother said, “I get up early every morning.”

Table 3 – Change of Tense Direct SpeechReported SpeechSimple Present Example: Preethi said, “I cook pasta.”Simple Past Example: Preethi said that she cooked pasta.Present Continuous Example: Preethi said, “I am cooking pasta.”Past Continuous Example: Preethi said that she was cooking pasta.6 more rows

Reported speech (also called indirect speech) relates what the person said, but does not use the exact words. You often need to change verbs and pronouns to keep the original meaning. (The students may notice that verb tenses change in reported speech. The general rule is that reported speech “backs up” one verb tense.

With current, repeated or recent events, the reporting verb is in the present tense. "He says he is hungry, so let's go to lunch." A habitual or repeated statement is in the present tense: "Everyone says the water is safe to drink." For reporting less immediate speech, choose the past tense.

Examples Direct speechIndirect speechThe doctor said to me, "Stop smoking!".The doctor told me to stop smoking."Get out of the car!" said the policeman.The policeman ordered him to get out of the car."Could you please be quiet," she said.She asked me to be quiet.1 more row

direct speech: 'I worked as a waiter before becoming a chef,' he said. indirect speech: He said he'd worked as a waiter before becoming a chef. direct speech: 'I'll phone you tomorrow,' he said. indirect speech: He said he'd phone me the next day.

Verb Tense in Reported Speech QuotationReported Speech"Where have they gone?"Felicite wondered where they had gone."Will you help me?"I asked Silvio if they would help me."I can't remember your name."Soungyoung said she couldn't remember my name."The exam will be next week."Dr. Park said the exam will be next week.*2 more rows

The reported speech can be Assertive/Declarative, Imperative, Interrogative, and Exclamatory.

Verb Tense in Reported Speech QuotationReported Speech"I am hungry."She stated that she was hungry."I saw them leave."Aidan said that he had seen them leave."Where have they gone?"Felicite wondered where they had gone."Will you help me?"I asked Silvio if they would help me.2 more rows