Mastering Reported Speech and Questions

Posted on May 1, 2026 in Administration and Management

Reported Speech Exercises

  1. Julie said that she would join us after work.
  2. She told me that she was going running this evening.
  3. John told us that he couldn’t come to the park.
  4. John said that he had been to the cinema at the weekend.
  5. She told them she wanted to quit.
  6. David said that he was going to arrive at eight.
  7. They said that they didn’t want to meet us on Tuesday.
  8. I told him I wasn’t impressed.
  9. Lucy told Julie that she was leaving on Wednesday.
  10. We said that we were going on holiday the following week.

Examples of Reported Speech

  • “I like this book.” (he told me)
    He told me that he liked that book.
  • “We are going to start the project today.” (they said)
    They said that they were going to start the project that day.
  • “He has been very busy lately.” (he has just informed)
    He has just informed me that he has been very busy lately.
  • “I have finished all my tasks before the meeting.” (he said)
    He said that he had finished all his tasks before the meeting.
  • “She will join us for dinner.” (Karen told me)
    Karen told me that she would join us for dinner.
  • “I have to talk with my manager first.” (she says)
    She says that she has to talk with her manager first.
  • “They are traveling around Europe.” (they said)
    They said that they were traveling around Europe.
  • “The sea can be quite dangerous if you don’t swim.” (the lifeguard warned)
    The lifeguard warned that the sea could be quite dangerous if you didn’t swim.
  • “I may apply for the scholarship.” (he said)
    He said that he might apply for the scholarship.
  • “We will go home early this afternoon if everyone agrees to work silently.” (she promised)
    She promised that they would go home early that afternoon if everyone agreed to work silently.

Using Say vs. Tell

She said she would consider the offer carefully. They said they were going to win the championship. He told me to call him as soon as I arrived home. He didn’t say what he was going to do. She said she might not be able to attend the meeting. He told me to be discreet about the confidential information he shared. She said she would never forgive him. He said he would always cherish the memories. Tell me the truth! They said they were going to travel to Europe next summer.

Reported Questions

  • “Did he finish the project on time?”
    Marley asked if he had finished the project on time.
  • “How long have you lived here?”
    Marley asked how long I had lived there.
  • “Will they join us for lunch?”
    Marley asked if they would join them for lunch.
  • “What were you doing when the power went out?”
    Marley asked me what I had been doing when the power had gone out.
  • “Has she seen the new episode yet?”
    Marley asked her if she had seen the new episode yet.

Additional Practice

Peter asked me if I knew his sister. Peter asked me who had given me that ring. Peter asked me if I was playing tennis the next day. Peter asked me if I had gone to the cinema the previous day. Peter asked me which languages I spoke. Peter asked me if Mary would come to the party. Peter asked me if I needed something from the shop. Peter asked me if I had ever been to England. Peter asked me if I had any brothers or sisters. Peter asked me where I was going.

Reported Statements

David said that there was an excellent band playing later. Christine said that she had seen Amy at the bank on Monday. The driver said that he was going to turn right at the traffic lights. Jonathan told me that he had returned the dictionary to the library. Paul said that he knew I was lying. The doctor said that he would send me the results as soon as they arrived. Caroline said that William was coming to her party the following Saturday. The assistant said that that pair of sneakers was lovely. Jack said that he would lend me his grammar book if I thought it would help me. Meghan told me that she could speak Japanese.

More Reported Questions and Corrections

  • Viña asked if they were coming to the meeting.
  • Paula asked why she had been crying.
  • Colette asked if I could help her with that report.
  • Pia asked what time the movie would start.
  • Javiera asked me where I had bought that jacket.
  • She said she was tired.
  • My mom said I should study more.
  • She tells me not to touch that.
  • The team said they had finished the project.
  • I asked the teacher if she could help me with the exercise.
  • He always says “thank you” when someone helps him.