REPORTED SPEECH Introduction to Reported Speech Reported speech is when we recount or report what someone else has said. It involves changing the original speaker's words to fit into our own sentence structure. The reporting verb plays a crucial role in indicating whether the reported speech is a statement, question, request, or command. Changing Verb Tenses in Reported Speech In reported speech, present simple in direct speech changes to past simple. Direct speech past simple changes to past perfect in reported speech. Future tenses in direct speech change to corresponding past tenses in reported speech. Pronoun Changes in Reported Speech Pronouns in direct speech often change to reflect the perspective of the speaker in reported speech. For example, "I" in direct speech becomes "he" or "she" in reported speech, depending on the original speaker's gender. Possessive pronouns also change accordingly, e.g., "my" becomes "his" or "her." Reporting Verbs in Reported Speech Reporting verbs such as "say," "tell," "ask," "inform," etc., are used to introduce reported speech. The choice of reporting verb can indicate the speaker's attitude, the intention of the reported speech, or the context of the conversation. It is important to choose the appropriate reporting verb to accurately convey the tone of the original message. Reporting Statements in Reported Speech When reporting statements, we use reporting verbs like "say" or "tell." The reporting verb is followed by the reported speech in a that-clause or with quotation marks. It is essential to pay attention to changes in verb tense, pronouns, and other elements when reporting statements. Reporting Questions in Reported Speech Reporting questions involves changing the word order of the original question to fit into a statement structure. Reporting verbs like "ask" or "wonder" are used to introduce reported questions. The reported question ends with a period, not a question mark, in reported speech. Reporting Commands and Requests in Reported Speech Commands and requests in reported speech are usually introduced by reporting verbs like "tell," "ask," or "order." The imperative form of the original command/request changes to an infinitive in reported speech. It is crucial to pay attention to any changes in pronouns or other elements when reporting commands and requests. Practice and Conclusion Practicing reported speech is essential to master the skill of accurately reporting what others have said. Through practice, one can become more comfortable with the changes in verb tenses, pronouns, and other elements in reported speech. Remember to pay attention to the context, reporting verbs, and other factors to convey the original message effectively in reported speech.