Students should already be familiar with:
- direct speech, or quotations
- pronouns
- question forms
- time expressions
Reported Speech
In spoken English, reported speech conveys the meaning of an earlier quote within a new context. Here are 3 steps to go from direct speech to reported speech.
Printouts
reported speech: step-by-step
perspective shifts
Slideshow
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Bonus Notes
e.g.: Don't backshift speaking verb.
Indirect Questions
Reported questions, formal inquiries, and polite requests all have a structure that's different from statements as well as from other questions.
Printout
summary of indirect segments
Slideshow
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Bonus Notes
e.g.: alternately, use 'asked to', 'wondered about', etc.
Backshifting
Backshifting is a process of moving a verb expression backward in time.
We use it in REPORTED SPEECH and for UNREAL MOOD.
Printouts
backshifting by verb tense
backshifting by aux. verb
Slideshow
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Bonus Notes
e.g.: did backshifts to had
Reporting Verbs
- coming soon -
Related Project
Class Newspaper: Interview schoolmates and teachers, and report the important information you learned.
