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When you pass on another person’s words, you usually do not repeat them word for word. You adjust the grammar, choose a reporting verb, and make the sentence fit the new speaker, time, and place. That is reported speech, also called indirect speech. It appears in conversations, news reports, workplace notes, school writing, and everyday storytelling. This guide shows how to report statements, questions, commands, suggestions, promises, warnings, and other speech acts clearly and accurately.
Contents at a Glance
Verbs Used for Reporting
"Said" and "told" are useful, but they are not your only choices. English has many reporting verbs that show whether someone asked, promised, warned, complained, advised, refused, or simply commented. The verb you choose can tell the reader both the message and the speaker’s intention.
| Category | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Neutral | said, told, stated, mentioned, remarked, commented, explained |
| Questions | asked, inquired, wondered, wanted to know |
| Commands | told, ordered, commanded, instructed, demanded |
| Requests | asked, requested, begged, pleaded, urged |
| Promises | promised, guaranteed, swore, vowed |
| Suggestions | suggested, recommended, proposed, advised |
| Opinions | thought, believed, felt, claimed, argued, insisted |
| Warnings | warned, cautioned, threatened |
| Agreements | agreed, accepted, admitted, acknowledged, conceded |
| Refusals | refused, denied, rejected, declined |
How Say and Tell Differ
Many reported-speech mistakes come from mixing up "say" and "tell." The basic rule is simple: "tell" normally needs a person as its object, while "say" does not.
| Say | Tell |
|---|---|
| No personal object required | Requires a personal object |
| He said (that) the meeting was over. | He told me (that) the meeting was over. |
| She said hello. | She told us to sit down. |
✅ Maya said she needed more time. (no object)
✅ Maya told her manager she needed more time. (with object "her manager")
❌ Maya said her manager she needed more time. (wrong!)
❌ Maya told she needed more time. (missing object!)
Fixed expressions with "tell": tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a story, tell a joke, tell the time, tell the difference.
How to Report Statements
Statements are usually reported with "said" or "told" followed by a that-clause. The word "that" is often optional, and the tense may move back when the reporting verb is in the past.
"I work near the station." → She said (that) she worked near the station.
"We have sent the files." → They told me (that) they had sent the files.
"I will call you tonight." → He promised (that) he would call me that night.
How to Report Questions
Reporting Yes/No Questions
Use asked + if/whether and change the question into normal statement word order.
"Do you live nearby?" → She asked if I lived nearby.
"Has the train arrived?" → He asked whether the train had arrived.
Reporting Wh- Questions
Use asked + question word, then use statement word order rather than question order.
"What time is the concert?" → He asked what time the concert was.
"Why did Anna cancel?" → She asked why Anna had canceled.
"Where do they keep the keys?" → He asked where they kept the keys.
How to Report Orders and Instructions
For commands and instructions, use told/ordered/instructed + object + to infinitive. For negative commands, use not to.
"Close the door." → The receptionist told the visitor to close the door.
"Leave the building now!" → The guard ordered everyone to leave the building immediately.
"Don't open that email." → He warned me not to open that email.
How to Report Suggestions
Suggestions can be reported with a gerund, a that-clause, or a verb such as "advise," depending on the original sentence.
"Let's order pizza." → He suggested ordering pizza.
"Let's order pizza." → He suggested that we order pizza.
"Why don't you restart the computer?" → She suggested that I restart the computer.
"You should speak to your tutor." → She advised me to speak to my tutor.
More Precise Reporting Verbs and Their Structures
Verbs Followed by a That-Clause
admit, agree, claim, complain, deny, explain, insist, mention, promise, suggest
He admitted that he had forgotten the appointment.
She insisted that the receipt was in her bag.
They complained that the room was too cold.
Verbs Followed by an Object and To-Infinitive
advise, ask, beg, convince, encourage, invite, order, persuade, remind, tell, urge, warn
She reminded me to lock the back door.
He warned them not to swim after dark.
They invited us to join the workshop.
She encouraged her brother to enter the competition.
Verbs Followed by a Gerund
admit, deny, suggest, recommend
He denied copying the answers.
She suggested booking an earlier flight.
They recommended trying the local market.
Verbs Followed by a Preposition and Gerund
apologize for, insist on, confess to, accuse (someone) of
He apologized for missing the call.
She insisted on driving herself home.
They accused him of lying.
Common Reporting Verb Structures
| Pattern | Example Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + that clause | say, tell, explain | She explained that the office was closed. |
| verb + to infinitive | agree, offer, promise, refuse | He offered to carry the boxes. |
| verb + object + to inf. | tell, ask, advise, warn | She asked me to wait outside. |
| verb + -ing | suggest, deny, admit | He admitted taking the last cookie. |
| verb + prep. + -ing | apologize for, insist on | He apologized for arriving late. |
What Happens to Modal Verbs in Reported Speech
| Direct | Reported |
|---|---|
| can | could |
| will | would |
| may | might |
| shall | should |
| must | had to (obligation) / must (logical deduction) |
Could, would, should, might, and ought to stay the same when you report speech.
Errors to Watch For
Error 1: Using "Said Me" Instead of "Told Me"
❌ The coach said me to run faster. → ✅ The coach told me to run faster.
Error 2: Keeping Question Word Order in Reported Questions
❌ He asked where was the library. → ✅ He asked where the library was.
Error 3: Adding a Question Mark to an Indirect Question
❌ She asked whether the shop was open? → ✅ She asked whether the shop was open.
Error 4: Choosing the Wrong Pattern After a Reporting Verb
❌ He suggested me to call. → ✅ He suggested calling. / He suggested that I call.
Try It Yourself
Report each sentence with a suitable reporting verb.
1. "I'll pick you up after work," he said. (promise)
Answer: He promised to pick me up after work. / He promised that he would pick me up after work.
2. "Don't feed the dog chocolate," my father said. (warn)
Answer: My father warned me not to feed the dog chocolate.
3. "Let's meet at the library," she said. (suggest)
Answer: She suggested meeting at the library.
4. "I didn't take your notebook," he said. (deny)
Answer: He denied taking my notebook.
5. "You should drink more water," the nurse said. (advise)
Answer: The nurse advised me to drink more water.
6. "I'm sorry for missing your call," she said. (apologize)
Answer: She apologized for missing my call.
7. "Would you like to join our team?" they said. (invite)
Answer: They invited me to join their team.
8. "No, I won't sign the form," he said. (refuse)
Answer: He refused to sign the form.
Reported speech becomes much easier when you think in patterns. First choose the right reporting verb. Then match it with the grammar it needs: a that-clause, an object plus infinitive, a gerund, or a preposition plus gerund. With practice, you will be able to report not only the words someone used, but also the force behind them—whether they advised, warned, promised, denied, or suggested something.
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