FlexiLang
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Course: French English Spanish Greek
Explanations in: Greek English Spanish French
B1

Reported speech

say or tell, backshifting tenses, and reported questions.

Say or tell?

tell + person: She told me (that) she was tired. say without a person (or say to someone): She said (that) she was tired.

Backshifting

Direct speechReported speech (past reporting verb)
«I am tired.»She said she was tired.
«I have finished.»He said he had finished.
«I will come.»He said he would come.
«I can help.»She said she could help.

Reported questions

Use statement word order, no do / does: «Where do you live?» → He asked me where I lived (not «where did I live»). Yes / no questions: if / whether: She asked if I was ready.

Test yourself

  1. Complete: She ___ me the truth. (say / tell)
    Show answer
    told
  2. Report: «I'm hungry», he said.
    Show answer
    He said (that) he was hungry.
  3. Report: «Where do you work?» she asked me.
    Show answer
    She asked me where I worked.
  4. Report: «Are you coming?» he asked.
    Show answer
    He asked if / whether I was coming.