Lesson

She said that... He told me that...

Basic reported speech

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

She said that... He told me that...

This lesson explains how to report what someone else said. We use reporting verbs like 'say' and 'tell' to introduce reported (indirect) speech. Key differences: 'say' often does not take a direct object, while 'tell' requires an object (tell someone). When we change direct speech into reported speech, we usually change verb tense (backshift) and adjust time/place words.

  • Structure with 'say': Subject + say(said) + (that) + clause — e.g. She said (that) she was late.
  • Structure with 'tell': Subject + tell(told) + object + (that) + clause — e.g. He told me (that) he was late.
  • Backshift: present → past, will → would, present perfect → past perfect, etc.
  • Time/place changes: today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, here → there.

The word 'that' is optional in spoken English but helpful in writing.

Table

Reported Speech: Direct → Reported (say/tell)

Direct speech Reported speech with 'said' Reported speech with 'told' (with object)
"I work in finance," she said. She said (that) she worked in finance. She told me (that) she worked in finance.
"We are meeting at 3 PM," they said. They said (that) they were meeting at 3 PM. They told us (that) they were meeting at 3 PM.
"I have finished the report," he said. He said (that) he had finished the report. He told his manager (that) he had finished the report.
"I will send the file tomorrow," she said. She said (that) she would send the file the next day. She told me (that) she would send the file the next day.
"I am leaving now," she said. She said (that) she was leaving then. She told him (that) she was leaving then.
"Don't forget the meeting," he said. He said (that) we shouldn't forget the meeting. He told the team (that) they shouldn't forget the meeting.

Tip

Key rule: 'say' vs 'tell' and backshifting

Remember these essentials when forming reported speech:

  • 'Tell' requires a person as an object: tell someone (He told me that...).
  • 'Say' can be used with or without 'that': She said (that) the meeting was at 9.
  • Backshift tenses when the reporting verb is in the past: present → past, present perfect → past perfect, will → would.
  • Adjust time/place words: today → that day, yesterday → the day before, here → there.

If the reporting verb is in the present (e.g., 'She says'), you usually do not backshift.

Example

Examples in context

She said that the meeting would start at 10 AM.

He told me that he had already sent the invoice.

They said that they were still waiting for approval.

The manager told the team that the deadline had been moved.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Learners often make predictable errors when using reported speech. Watch for these:

  • Not backshifting the verb tense when the reporting verb is in the past (e.g., keeping 'will' instead of 'would').
  • Using 'tell' without an object (incorrect: 'He told that...').
  • Forgetting to change time/place expressions (e.g., 'tomorrow' instead of 'the next day').
  • Keeping quotation punctuation or word order from direct speech when converting to indirect speech.

Check the reporting verb tense and whether 'tell' needs an object.

Quiz

Choose the correct reported speech sentence for: "They said, 'We will review the budget tomorrow.'"

Hint: Remember tense backshift and time expression changes.

Quiz

Complete: She said that _____ the report the next day.

Hint: Backshift the future tense when the reporting verb is past.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Think about whether the verb needs a person after it.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

reported speech

noun CEFR B1 //rɪˈpɔːrtɪd spiːtʃ//

A way of reporting what someone else said without quoting them directly.

In reported speech, 'I am' often becomes 'she said she was'.

GrammarPoint

backshift

noun CEFR B2 //ˈbækˌʃɪft//

The change of verb tenses when converting direct speech into reported speech.

Direct: "I will finish." → Reported: He said he would finish.

Vocabulary

say

verb CEFR A2 //seɪ//

To express something in words; a reporting verb used for speech.

She said that the office would close early.

Vocabulary

tell

verb CEFR A2 //tɛl//

To give information to someone; a reporting verb that requires an object (tell someone).

He told me that the figures were ready.

GrammarPoint

that (conjunction)

conjunction CEFR A2 //ðæt//

A conjunction used to introduce reported clauses; often optional in speech.

She said (that) the presentation was excellent.

GrammarPoint

time expression shift

expression CEFR B1 //taɪm ɪksˈprɛʃən ʃɪft//

Changing words like 'today' or 'tomorrow' when converting direct speech to reported speech.

Direct: 'I will call you tomorrow.' → Reported: He said he would call me the next day.