Reported Speech - Statements (2)

Practise statements in reported speech!

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We use reported speech to talk about what someone else has said.
Be careful with the tenses! When you report what someone said in the present simple it changes to past simple, the past simple changes to the past perfect, the present continuous changes to past continuous and present perfect changes to past perfect. NOTE: Will changes to Would and won't to wouldn't!

Exceptions:
If the statement was made in past perfect, it doesn't change.
You don't change the tenses with a reporting verb in present, future or present perfect tense. For example: She says, “I like reading books.“ - She says that she likes reading books.
If you express a universal truth or a habitual fact, tenses remain unchanged as well. For example: My mum said, “The sun always rises in the east.“ - My mum said that the sun always rises in the east.

Be careful: Use the right pronouns! Statement: Robert: This is my house. Reported speech: Robert said that that was his house.

I go running later on. Suzy told me that she __________ running.

Solution:
went

He slept all afternoon. Ralf said his brother __________ all afternoon.

Solution:
had slept

I like to visit my big sister. I told Lucy that I ______ to visit my big sister.

Solution:
liked

We woke up very early because of our new puppy. They told me they had woken up very early because of ______ new puppy.

Solution:
their

I have hurt my leg on the ice rink. He said he __________ his leg.

Solution:
had hurt

I am babysitting Billy tonight. Berlinda told me she ______ babysitting Billy that night.

Solution:
was

I had learned all words by heart. He told me he ______ learned all words by heart.

Solution:
had

Jonah: I am thirsty, Dad! Jonah said he ______ thirsty.

Solution:
was

I was talking to her on the phone yesterday. She said she __________ talking to Lara on the phone the day before.

Solution:
had been

I can take that letter to the post for you. He said he ______ take my letter to the post.

Solution:
could

I will meet Harry later. She said she ______ meet Harry later.

Solution:
would

I won't tell him your secret. She said she ______ tell him my secret.

Solution:
wouldn't

I will ask him about it tomorrow. He told me he ______ ask him about it the next day.

Solution:
would

I won't see him for a long time. She told me she __________ see him for a long time.

Solution:
wouldn't