Reported Speech 1: He Said That…

Understanding reported speech is crucial for effective communication, particularly when conveying information shared by others. This article provides an in-depth guide to reported speech, with a focus on the phrase “He said that…” It is tailored to help children, beginners, and learners with basic English skills master this concept.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Reported Speech?

2. Direct vs. Reported Speech

3. Structure of Reported Speech

4. When to Use Reported Speech?

5. Rules for Changing Direct to Reported Speech

• • Pronoun Changes
  • Verb Tense Changes
  • Adverb Changes

6. Key Reporting Verbs

7. Examples of Reported Speech with “He Said That…”

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

9. Practice Exercises

10. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is Reported Speech?

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to convey what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. Instead of repeating the exact statement, you paraphrase or modify it.

Examples:

• • Direct Speech: He said, “I am tired.”
  • Reported Speech: He said that he was tired.

2. Direct vs. Reported Speech

Direct Speech

Direct speech quotes the exact words of the speaker and is enclosed in quotation marks.

• • Example: She said, “I love chocolate.”

Reported Speech

Reported speech modifies the original words, removes quotation marks, and often involves changes in pronouns, tenses, and adverbs.

• • Example: She said that she loved chocolate.

3. Structure of Reported Speech

The basic structure of reported speech with “He said that…” is:

[Subject] + [Reporting Verb] + that + [Reported Clause]

Example:

• • He said that he was going to the market.

4. When to Use Reported Speech?

Use reported speech in the following scenarios:

1. Relaying Information: Sharing what someone else has said.

• • Example: He said that he would help.

2. Formal Communication: To avoid directly quoting someone.

3. Summarizing: Condensing a long conversation into a brief report.

5. Rules for Changing Direct to Reported Speech

1. Pronoun Changes

Pronouns must align with the speaker’s perspective.

2. Verb Tense Changes

If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported clause changes as follows:

Example:

• • Direct Speech: He said, “I am learning English.”
  • Reported Speech: He said that he was learning English.

3. Adverb Changes

Adverbs of time and place change to reflect the perspective of the speaker.

Example:

• • Direct Speech: He said, “I will meet you here tomorrow.”
  • Reported Speech: He said that he would meet me there the next day.

6. Key Reporting Verbs

The most commonly used reporting verb is said. However, you can use other verbs depending on the context:

• • Said: He said that he was tired.
  • Told: He told me that he was tired.
  • Asked: He asked if I was tired.
  • Explained: He explained that he was feeling unwell.
  • Declared: He declared that the project was a success.

7. Examples of Reported Speech with “He Said That…”

Simple Statements:

• • Direct: He said, “I am going to the park.”
  • Reported: He said that he was going to the park.

Questions:

• • Direct: He asked, “Where are you going?”
  • Reported: He asked where I was going.

Commands:

• • Direct: He said, “Close the door.”
  • Reported: He said that I should close the door.

Exclamations:

• • Direct: He said, “What a beautiful day!”
  • Reported: He said that it was a beautiful day.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Forgetting to Change Pronouns

• • Incorrect: He said that I am tired.
  • Correct: He said that he was tired.

2. Not Adjusting Verb Tense

• • Incorrect: He said that he is learning English.
  • Correct: He said that he was learning English.

3. Misusing Adverbs

• • Incorrect: He said that he would meet me here tomorrow.
  • Correct: He said that he would meet me there the next day.

9. Practice Exercises

Convert the following sentences into reported speech:

1. He said, “I love pizza.”

2. He asked, “Can you help me?”

3. He said, “I will finish the work tomorrow.”

4. He told me, “You are very kind.”

5. He said, “I am reading a book now.”

Answers:

1. He said that he loved pizza.

2. He asked if I could help him.

3. He said that he would finish the work the next day.

4. He told me that I was very kind.

5. He said that he was reading a book then.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is reported speech?

Reported speech is a way to express what someone else has said without using their exact words.

Q2. What are the key changes in reported speech?

Pronouns, verb tenses, and adverbs of time and place typically change.

Q3. Can we use “that” in reported speech?

Yes, “that” is commonly used but can be omitted in informal contexts.

• • Example: He said that he was happy. (Formal)
  • He said he was happy. (Informal)

Q4. Is reported speech always in the past tense?

Not always. If the reporting verb is in the present tense, the reported clause remains in the original tense.