English Teaching

Reported Speech: What Did They Say? (B2 Grammar)

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B2  ⏱ 5 min

💬 Reported Speech: What Did They Say?

Working at the Star Casino, I relayed guest complaints to managers all night. Reported speech was survival English.

📖 Direct vs Reported Speech

Direct: She said, ‘I want to speak to the manager.’
Reported: She said (that) she wanted to speak to the manager.

Backshift rule — tenses move one step back in time:

Direct Reported
present simple past simple
present continuous past continuous
past simple past perfect
will would

‘I live in Sydney.’ → She said she ___ in Sydney.

‘I will call you tomorrow.’ → He said he ___ call me the next day.

‘We are waiting.’ → They said they ___ waiting.

‘I can help you.’ → She said she ____________ help me.

‘I have finished.’ → He told me he ____________ finished.

✏️ Relay Practice

Ask a friend or family member one question. Then write a sentence reporting their answer. Example: My sister said she was studying English every day.

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