Grammar · Sentence structure
Reported speech
Formula: said / told + (that) + one tense back
B1
Quick answer
The 5 main uses
1. One tense back
The verb moves one tense back: the Present Simple becomes the Past Simple (am → was).
“"I am happy" → He said he was happy.”
2. Present → Past Simple, Past Simple → Past Perfect
The Past Simple moves back too: it becomes the Past Perfect (had + past participle).
“"I went there" → He said he had gone there.”
3. Will → would, can → could, may → might
Some modal verbs (will, can, may) also change to their past form.
“"I will come" → He said he would come.”
4. Pronouns and time and place words change
Pronouns change to fit the new speaker: I → he. Time and place words change too: now → then, here → there, tomorrow → the next day.
“"I am here now" → He said he was there then.”
5. No change for general truths
If something is always true, you can keep the present tense. Moving the tense back is optional here.
“"The Earth is round" → She said the Earth is round.”
Common mistakes to avoid
Said vs told
Said + (that) + what was said: He said (that) he was tired. Told + a person + (that): He told me (that) he was tired. Tell always needs a person, so He said me is wrong.
One tense back, even without that
People often leave out that when they speak: He said he was tired. But the verb still moves one tense back.
Reported question: normal word order
Direct question: Where are you? Reported question: He asked where I was (not where was I). Use subject + verb, like in a normal sentence.
Related pages: Reported speech
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
What's next?
Reported speech: you understand the rule. Now practise it.
Understanding a rule is only the first step. On PLAY, you use it in real situations, at your own pace, until it becomes automatic.
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For teachersReported speech: a ready-to-use lesson sequence
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English contestReported speech: often tested in the English contest
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Frequently asked questions
What is reported speech in English?+
Reported speech is how you tell someone what another person said, without the exact words. “I am tired” becomes He said he was tired. The verb moves one tense back (present → past).
How do tenses change in reported speech?+
Present Simple → Past Simple (am → was). Past Simple → Past Perfect (went → had gone). Will → would, can → could, may → might. This happens when the reporting verb (said) is in the past.
What is the difference between say and tell?+
Say + (that) + what was said: He said he was tired. Tell + a person + (that): He told me he was tired. Tell needs a person after it, say does not.
How do you report a question in English?+
Use ask + if for a yes/no question, or ask + a question word (where, what…). Direct question: Where are you? Reported question: He asked where I was. The word order is subject + verb, like in a normal sentence.
Do you always change the tense in reported speech?+
If the reporting verb is in the past (said, told, asked): yes, usually. For something that is always true, it is optional: She said the Earth is round / was round. If the reporting verb is in the present (he says): no change.
Updated on 6 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 6 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/grammar/reported-speech
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.