Grammar: Reported statements

Grammar: Reported statements

1. Form

   • A phrase in reported speech will generally be introduced by a verb in the past. The most common are say and tell. A phrase in reported speech will generally be introduced by a verb in the past. The most common are say and tell. Say will be followed directly by the phrase or by the particle that. Tell will be followed by an object pronoun and the phrase, which may or may not be preceded by the particle that.

2. Usage

   • When we want to express what someone has explained to us, we have two options: the use of the direct style ( direct speech ), or the indirect style ( reported speech ).
   • Direct speech: In direct style we will say the phrase word by word as they have told us. If we write it, the phrase will be enclosed in quotes.
   • Indirect speech: If we do not mean the phrase literally as it was said, we will use the indirect style, with which the phrase will have certain changes.

3. Example

   • 1. Direct speech: It’s better to wait. Reported speech: She said that it was better to wait. 2. Direct speech: I’ve (I have) never been to Spain. Reported speech: He said that he had never been to Spain.

4. Webliography

   • https://idiomas.gcfglobal.org/es/curso/ingles/gramatica/reported-speech/