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.
Indirect Questions
Reported questions, formal inquiries, and polite requests all have a structure that's different from statements as well as from other questions.
Backshifting
Backshifting is a process of moving a verb expression backward in time.
We use it in REPORTED SPEECH and for UNREAL MOOD.
The Indirect Speech Guide includes:
Prerequisites in more detail
Printouts:
Reported Speech: Step-by-Step
Perspective Shifts
Summary of Indirect Segments
Backshifting (1 by Verb Tense; 1 by Auxiliary Verb)
Slideshows for each video
Ancillary Topic on Reporting Verbs
about 40 Bonus Notes such as:
Don’t backshift the speaking verb.
‘Did’ backshifts to ‘had’, and the next verb takes the V3 form.
Related Teaching Tips like Context Matters
Recommended Activities
and more!
