REPORTED SPEECH in English - Indirect Speech | Reported Speech | Direct Speech (+ Free PDF & Quiz)

Summary

In this episode of 'English With Lucy,' Lucy simplifies the concept of reported speech, making it accessible for students to use confidently. She introduces the process of converting direct speech into reported by adding reporting verbs, backshifting tenses, and adjusting pronouns. Lucy offers a free PDF with a quiz for practice and further examples. She also covers the nuances of tense backshifting, emphasizing that some tenses remain unchanged. The lesson concludes with a direct invitation to download the PDF for exercises and to engage with Lucy's other English learning resources.

Takeaways

• 📘 Reported speech can seem complicated, but the lesson aims to make it simple and understandable, so students can use it confidently.
• 📄 A free PDF is available with the lesson, containing all the discussed points and a quiz to test comprehension.
• 🗣️ To convert direct speech to reported speech, three rules apply: add a reporting verb, backshift tenses by one, and change the pronouns.
• 🔄 Common reporting verbs include 'say' and 'tell.' Remember to always use a reporting verb when using reported speech.
• 🕑 When backshifting tenses in reported speech, there are specific changes depending on the original tense used. Some tenses, like past perfect, do not change.
• 📊 Future tenses are simplified in reported speech: 'will' changes to 'would.'
• ✍️ Exceptions to tense changes exist, such as when the reported information is still current or ongoing.
• 🎓 Exercises for practice are included in the PDF, with additional resources for learning on Lucy's website.
• 📢 Additional learning resources include a British English pronunciation course with a discount code, and a personal channel featuring vlogs with subtitles for listening practice.
• 🌍 Students are encouraged to connect with Lucy on social media and use various resources on her website for continued learning.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the lesson in the video?

The primary focus of the lesson is on reported speech, making it easy and understandable for learners to use confidently.

What are the three rules to follow when changing direct speech to reported speech?

The three rules are: 1) Add a reporting verb, 2) Backshift the tenses by one, and 3) Change the pronouns.

Can the word 'that' be omitted in reported speech?

Yes, the word 'that' can be omitted in reported speech without changing the meaning, as in 'She said she loved the movie' instead of 'She said that she loved the movie.'

When using 'tell' in reported speech, what should be remembered?

When using 'tell,' you must include the person being reported to. For example, 'She told me that she loved the movie.'

How do the future tenses change in reported speech?

In reported speech, future tenses that use 'will' change to 'would.' For example, 'I will go' becomes 'She said that she would go.'

What tenses do not change when converting to reported speech, and why?

The past perfect and past perfect continuous tenses do not change in reported speech because it's not possible to go further back in time.

What happens to tenses in reported speech if the information is current and ongoing?

If the information is current and ongoing, like a habit, the tense does not usually change. For example, 'I love my parents' becomes 'She said that she loves her parents.'

How are the most common reporting verbs used in reported speech?

The most common reporting verbs are 'say' and 'tell,' which are conjugated to 'said' and 'told.' 'Say' can be used on its own, while 'tell' requires specifying the person being told.

What is 'backshifting' in the context of reported speech?

Backshifting refers to changing the tense of the original speech back by one tense when converting to reported speech, such as changing present tense to past tense.

What resources are provided to help learners practice reported speech in the lesson?

A free PDF is provided with the lesson, which includes a quiz to help learners test their understanding and practice reported speech. Additionally, a list of tense changes for reported speech is included.