Mastering Reported Speech: Grammar & Vocabulary Essentials
Reported Speech: Direct vs. Indirect
Understanding reported speech (also known as indirect speech) is crucial for effective communication in English. It allows us to convey what someone else has said without quoting them directly. Here’s a comparison of direct and reported speech examples:
Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
“I am tired” | He said (that) he was tired |
“I will help you” | She said (that) she would help me |
“We are going to travel” | They said (that) they were going to travel |
“I have finished” | He said (that) he had finished |
“I can go” | She said (that) she could go |
“You must study” | He said (that) I had to study |
“I was doing my homework at 10pm yesterday” | He said he had been doing his homework at 10pm the previous day. |
Pronoun, Time, and Place Shifts in Reported Speech
When converting direct speech to reported speech, pronouns, time expressions, and place adverbs often need to change to reflect the new context. Here are some common transformations:
- This → that
- Today → that day
- Tomorrow → the next day / the following day
- Yesterday → the day before / the previous day
- Here → there
- Now → then
- Ago → before
Essential Vocabulary for Effective Communication
Expand your English vocabulary with these important terms, including their related forms and meanings:
- Respect (verb/noun) / respectful (adj): respectar – disrespectfully (adv)
- Honest (adj) / dishonest (adj) – honestly (adv)
- Kind (adj): amable – unkindly (adv)
- Equal (adj) / equality (noun): igualtat
- Unequally (adv): desigual
- Fairness (noun): justícia
- Treat people with dignity (phrase): tractar amb dignitat
- Prejudice (noun): prejudici
Common Phrasal Verbs for Daily Use
Phrasal verbs are an integral part of English. Here are a few to practice:
- Catch up with: To reach the same level or standard as someone who was ahead.
- Come up with: To think of an idea, plan, or solution.
- Put up with: To tolerate or endure something unpleasant.
Key Nouns and Adjectives for Advanced English
Enhance your descriptive language with these words:
- Politicians (noun)
- Technician (noun)
- Impatient (adj)
- Fundraising (noun)
- Nervousness (noun)
- Embarrassed (adj)