Learning how to write reported speech correctly is an essential skill for students, professionals, and competitive exam candidates. Reported speech helps in expressing what others have said without quoting them directly. This article explains rules, provides 100 examples with meanings, useful tips, FAQs, and important points to help you master reported speech.

Introduction to How to Write Reported Speech Correctly

Knowing how to write reported speech correctly is vital in English grammar. Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to repeat what someone has said without quoting their exact words. This skill is especially important for students, professionals, and aspirants of competitive examinations. In this article, you will find rules, examples, and tips to understand it clearly.

What is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is a way of expressing what another person has said without using quotation marks. For example:

• Direct: She said, “I am happy.”
• Reported: She said that she was happy.

Rules for Writing Reported Speech Correctly

1. Change of Tense: Present changes to past (e.g., is → was).
2. Change of Pronouns: Adjust according to the context (e.g., I → he/she).
3. Change of Time and Place Words: (e.g., today → that day, here → there).
4. Use of Conjunction ‘that’: Often used in statements.
5. Question Sentences: Use if/whether for yes/no questions and wh-words for WH-questions.
6. Commands and Requests: Use to + verb form.

Full list of 100 reported speech examples with meanings, divided into Statements, Questions, Commands/Requests, Modals, and Mixed Forms for easy reference.

100 Examples of How to Write Reported Speech Correctly with Meanings

A. Statements (1–30)

1. Direct: He said, “I am tired.”
   Reported: He said that he was tired. (Meaning: He was feeling tired at that time.)
2. Direct: She said, “I like tea.”
   Reported: She said that she liked tea. (Meaning: Tea is her preference.)
3. Direct: They said, “We are watching TV.”
   Reported: They said that they were watching TV. (Meaning: They were engaged in watching TV.)
4. Direct: He said, “I will call you.”
   Reported: He said that he would call me. (Meaning: He promised to call.)
5. Direct: She said, “I can sing.”
   Reported: She said that she could sing. (Meaning: She has the ability to sing.)
6. Direct: He said, “I have finished my homework.”
   Reported: He said that he had finished his homework. (Meaning: Homework was already done.)
7. Direct: She said, “I am going to the market.”
   Reported: She said that she was going to the market. (Meaning: She was on her way or planning to go.)
8. Direct: They said, “We have lived here for ten years.”
   Reported: They said that they had lived there for ten years. (Meaning: They had stayed there for a decade.)
9. Direct: He said, “I don’t like coffee.”
   Reported: He said that he didn’t like coffee. (Meaning: He dislikes coffee.)
10. Direct: She said, “I am learning English.”
    Reported: She said that she was learning English. (Meaning: She was studying English then.)
11. Direct: He said, “My father is a doctor.”
    Reported: He said that his father was a doctor. (Meaning: His father’s profession is doctor.)
12. Direct: They said, “We were playing cricket.”
    Reported: They said that they had been playing cricket. (Meaning: Cricket playing was happening earlier.)
13. Direct: She said, “I have to go now.”
    Reported: She said that she had to go then. (Meaning: She needed to leave.)
14. Direct: He said, “I am happy.”
    Reported: He said that he was happy. (Meaning: He felt happiness.)
15. Direct: She said, “We are friends.”
    Reported: She said that they were friends. (Meaning: Friendship existed.)
16. Direct: They said, “We saw a movie yesterday.”
    Reported: They said that they had seen a movie the previous day. (Meaning: They watched a film.)
17. Direct: He said, “I am reading a book.”
    Reported: He said that he was reading a book. (Meaning: Reading was in progress.)
18. Direct: She said, “The baby is sleeping.”
    Reported: She said that the baby was sleeping. (Meaning: The baby was asleep.)
19. Direct: He said, “I am busy today.”
    Reported: He said that he was busy that day. (Meaning: He had work then.)
20. Direct: They said, “We have completed the project.”
    Reported: They said that they had completed the project. (Meaning: Project was done.)
21. Direct: She said, “I love chocolate.”
    Reported: She said that she loved chocolate. (Meaning: Chocolate is her favorite.)
22. Direct: He said, “I bought a new phone.”
    Reported: He said that he had bought a new phone. (Meaning: Purchase was made earlier.)
23. Direct: They said, “We are going on a trip tomorrow.”
    Reported: They said that they were going on a trip the next day. (Meaning: Future plan.)
24. Direct: She said, “I am watching a play.”
    Reported: She said that she was watching a play. (Meaning: She was attending a drama.)
25. Direct: He said, “My mother is cooking.”
    Reported: He said that his mother was cooking. (Meaning: Cooking was happening then.)
26. Direct: They said, “We are waiting for the bus.”
    Reported: They said that they were waiting for the bus. (Meaning: They were expecting transport.)
27. Direct: She said, “I am feeling cold.”
    Reported: She said that she was feeling cold. (Meaning: She needed warmth.)
28. Direct: He said, “I have lost my wallet.”
    Reported: He said that he had lost his wallet. (Meaning: His wallet went missing.)
29. Direct: They said, “We are studying for exams.”
    Reported: They said that they were studying for exams. (Meaning: Preparation was happening.)
30. Direct: She said, “I am writing a letter.”
    Reported: She said that she was writing a letter. (Meaning: Letter writing was in progress.)

B. Questions (31–60)

31. Direct: He asked, “Where are you going?”
    Reported: He asked where I was going. (Meaning: He wanted to know my destination.)
32. Direct: She asked, “What is your name?”
    Reported: She asked what my name was. (Meaning: She wanted my identity.)
33. Direct: He asked, “Are you coming with me?”
    Reported: He asked if I was coming with him. (Meaning: He wanted confirmation.)
34. Direct: She asked, “Do you like coffee?”
    Reported: She asked if I liked coffee. (Meaning: She wanted to know preference.)
35. Direct: They asked, “When will the train arrive?”
    Reported: They asked when the train would arrive. (Meaning: They wanted arrival time.)
36. Direct: He asked, “Why are you late?”
    Reported: He asked why I was late. (Meaning: He wanted reason.)
37. Direct: She asked, “Did you complete the homework?”
    Reported: She asked if I had completed the homework. (Meaning: She wanted confirmation.)
38. Direct: He asked, “Can you help me?”
    Reported: He asked if I could help him. (Meaning: He needed help.)
39. Direct: She asked, “Where do you live?”
    Reported: She asked where I lived. (Meaning: She wanted my address.)
40. Direct: They asked, “Are you going to the party?”
    Reported: They asked if I was going to the party. (Meaning: They wanted to know my plan.)
41. Direct: He asked, “What time is it?”
    Reported: He asked what time it was. (Meaning: He wanted current time.)
42. Direct: She asked, “Have you seen this movie?”
    Reported: She asked if I had seen that movie. (Meaning: She wanted to know experience.)
43. Direct: He asked, “Who is your teacher?”
    Reported: He asked who my teacher was. (Meaning: He wanted teacher’s name.)
44. Direct: She asked, “Are you free tomorrow?”
    Reported: She asked if I was free the next day. (Meaning: She wanted availability.)
45. Direct: They asked, “Where were you yesterday?”
    Reported: They asked where I had been the previous day. (Meaning: They wanted past location.)
46. Direct: He asked, “Do you play cricket?”
    Reported: He asked if I played cricket. (Meaning: He wanted to know hobby.)
47. Direct: She asked, “Can I borrow your book?”
    Reported: She asked if she could borrow my book. (Meaning: She wanted permission.)
48. Direct: He asked, “How old are you?”
    Reported: He asked how old I was. (Meaning: He wanted age.)
49. Direct: She asked, “When did you arrive?”
    Reported: She asked when I had arrived. (Meaning: She wanted arrival time.)
50. Direct: They asked, “Is it raining now?”
    Reported: They asked if it was raining then. (Meaning: They wanted weather update.)
51. Direct: He asked, “Who wrote this book?”
    Reported: He asked who had written that book. (Meaning: He wanted author’s name.)
52. Direct: She asked, “Do you understand English?”
    Reported: She asked if I understood English. (Meaning: She wanted to know skill.)
53. Direct: He asked, “When will you come back?”
    Reported: He asked when I would come back. (Meaning: He wanted return time.)
54. Direct: She asked, “Did you see him yesterday?”
    Reported: She asked if I had seen him the previous day. (Meaning: She wanted confirmation.)
55. Direct: They asked, “Where is the station?”
    Reported: They asked where the station was. (Meaning: They wanted location.)
56. Direct: He asked, “Have you eaten lunch?”
    Reported: He asked if I had eaten lunch. (Meaning: He wanted confirmation.)
57. Direct: She asked, “Do you know the answer?”
    Reported: She asked if I knew the answer. (Meaning: She wanted knowledge.)
58. Direct: He asked, “What are you doing?”
    Reported: He asked what I was doing. (Meaning: He wanted current activity.)
59. Direct: She asked, “Is he your brother?”
    Reported: She asked if he was my brother. (Meaning: She wanted relation confirmation.)
60. Direct: They asked, “When can we meet?”
    Reported: They asked when we could meet. (Meaning: They wanted meeting time.)

C. Commands & Requests (61–80)

61. Direct: He said, “Close the door.”
    Reported: He told me to close the door. (Meaning: Instruction to shut the door.)
62. Direct: She said, “Please help me.”
    Reported: She requested me to help her. (Meaning: She asked for assistance.)
63. Direct: They said, “Don’t make noise.”
    Reported: They told us not to make noise. (Meaning: Warning to stay quiet.)
64. Direct: He said, “Open the window.”
    Reported: He told me to open the window. (Meaning: Instruction to open window.)
65. Direct: She said, “Kindly wait here.”
    Reported: She requested me to wait there. (Meaning: Polite request to stay.)
66. Direct: He said, “Don’t touch this.”
    Reported: He told me not to touch that. (Meaning: Warning against touching.)
67. Direct: She said, “Bring me a glass of water.”
    Reported: She asked me to bring her a glass of water. (Meaning: She wanted water.)
68. Direct: They said, “Please sit down.”
    Reported: They requested me to sit down. (Meaning: Polite request to take seat.)
69. Direct: He said, “Don’t be late.”
    Reported: He told me not to be late. (Meaning: Advice for punctuality.)
70. Direct: She said, “Write your name here.”
    Reported: She told me to write my name there. (Meaning: Instruction to write.)
71. Direct: He said, “Answer the question.”
    Reported: He told me to answer the question. (Meaning: Order to reply.)
72. Direct: She said, “Don’t waste time.”
    Reported: She told me not to waste time. (Meaning: Advice to be careful.)
73. Direct: They said, “Speak the truth.”
    Reported: They told me to speak the truth. (Meaning: Order for honesty.)
74. Direct: He said, “Drive carefully.”
    Reported: He advised me to drive carefully. (Meaning: Guidance for safety.)
75. Direct: She said, “Don’t talk loudly.”
    Reported: She told me not to talk loudly. (Meaning: Instruction for silence.)
76. Direct: He said, “Bring that file.”
    Reported: He told me to bring that file. (Meaning: Order to fetch file.)
77. Direct: She said, “Please lend me some money.”
    Reported: She requested me to lend her some money. (Meaning: She wanted money help.)
78. Direct: They said, “Follow the rules.”
    Reported: They told us to follow the rules. (Meaning: Instruction for discipline.)
79. Direct: He said, “Don’t open the box.”
    Reported: He told me not to open the box. (Meaning: Warning about the box.)
80. Direct: She said, “Check the answer again.”
    Reported: She told me to check the answer again. (Meaning: Advice for correction.)

D. Modals (81–90)

81. Direct: He said, “I can swim.”
    Reported: He said that he could swim. (Meaning: He has swimming ability.)
82. Direct: She said, “I may go there.”
    Reported: She said that she might go there. (Meaning: Possibility of going.)
83. Direct: He said, “I must finish this work.”
    Reported: He said that he had to finish that work. (Meaning: Obligation to complete work.)
84. Direct: She said, “I should study hard.”
    Reported: She said that she should study hard. (Meaning: Advice remained unchanged.)
85. Direct: They said, “We will win the match.”
    Reported: They said that they would win the match. (Meaning: Confidence about winning.)
86. Direct: He said, “I could run fast when I was young.”
    Reported: He said that he could run fast when he was young. (Meaning: Past ability.)
87. Direct: She said, “I might see him tomorrow.”
    Reported: She said that she might see him the next day. (Meaning: Future possibility.)
88. Direct: He said, “You must obey your parents.”
    Reported: He said that I must obey my parents. (Meaning: Obligation to follow parents.)
89. Direct: She said, “I will help you.”
    Reported: She said that she would help me. (Meaning: Promise of help.)
90. Direct: They said, “We can solve this problem.”
    Reported: They said that they could solve that problem. (Meaning: They are capable.)

E. Mixed Examples (91–100)

91. Direct: She said, “I have finished my homework.”
Reported: She said that she had finished her homework.

92. Direct: He said, “I will help you tomorrow.”
Reported: He said that he would help me the next day.

93. Direct: They said, “We are watching a movie.”
Reported: They said that they were watching a movie.

94. Direct: She asked, “Did you call your mother?”
Reported: She asked if I had called my mother.

95. Direct: The teacher said, “Don’t talk in the class.”
Reported: The teacher told us not to talk in the class.

96. Direct: He said, “I can solve this problem.”
Reported: He said that he could solve that problem.

97. Direct: She said to me, “Open the window, please.”
Reported: She requested me to open the window.

98. Direct: He said, “I have been waiting for two hours.”
Reported: He said that he had been waiting for two hours.

99. Direct: They asked, “Where are you going now?”
Reported: They asked where I was going then.

100. Direct: She said, “I may come to the party tonight.”
Reported: She said that she might come to the party that night.

Important Tips for Students & Exam Candidates

• Always check tense changes carefully.
• Remember: Present → Past, Past → Past Perfect.
• Pay attention to pronoun changes (I → he/she, we → they).
• Words of time/place must be shifted (tomorrow → the next day).
• In competitive exams, focus on spotting errors in pronoun, tense, and word usage.
• Practice frequently with sample sentences to improve accuracy.

FAQs on How to Write Reported Speech Correctly

Q1. What is the easiest way to learn reported speech?
Start with simple direct sentences, then practice converting them step by step into reported form by changing tense, pronouns, and time expressions.

Q2. Do all tenses change in reported speech?
Not always. If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, the tense usually remains the same. Example: She says, “I am busy.” → She says that she is busy.

Q3. How is reported speech asked in competitive exams?
Exams often test error correction, sentence transformation, or fill-in-the-blanks based on reported speech rules.

Conclusion on How to Write Reported Speech Correctly

Understanding how to write reported speech correctly helps in both writing and speaking English effectively. By learning the rules, practicing with examples, and applying tips, students and exam candidates can master this important grammar concept with ease.

Disclaimer on How to Write Reported Speech Correctly

This article is for educational purposes only. The examples and explanations are simplified for better understanding and exam preparation.

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Also Read: Using Adjectives and Adverbs Correctly: A Complete Guide

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