Reporting What Others Said helps you accurately convey what someone else has communicated. This involves adjusting tenses, pronouns, and time expressions to fit the context of the report. Mastering this skill enhances clarity in both verbal and written communication.
Examples
Example 1
IncorrectThe witness said me that the road was closed.
BetterThe witness told me that the road was closed.
"Told" is used because it requires an indirect object, "me."
Example 2
IncorrectShe explained that why the original plan had failed.
BetterShe explained why the original plan had failed.
Remove "that" before "why" to correctly form the clause.
How It Works
Meaning
Reporting speech involves conveying what someone else has said, thought, or asked, often requiring changes in tense, pronouns, and time expressions.
It allows you to accurately communicate another person's message in a new context, maintaining the original meaning.
The typical structure includes a reporting verb (e.g., say, tell, ask) followed by a clause that may require adjustments in tense and pronouns.
At the B2 level, mastering this skill is crucial for clear and accurate communication in both spoken and written English.
Use it when
- Conveying someone else's words or thoughts in writing or speech.
- Summarizing information from sources, such as news articles or academic texts.
- Reporting conversations in formal reports or presentations.
- Answering questions in exams that require paraphrasing or summarizing spoken or written content.
- Incorporating quotes or statements into essays or reports.
See it
Quick rules
- Use "say" without an indirect object; use "tell" with an indirect object.
- Change the tense in reported speech if the reporting verb is in the past tense.
- Maintain statement word order in reported questions.
- Adjust pronouns and time expressions to fit the context of the report.
- Ensure the reported speech accurately reflects the original message.
Common Mistakes
Common problem 1
Choosing the wrong reporting verb or clause pattern after it
WeakThe teacher said us that the deadline had changed.
StrongThe teacher told us that the deadline had changed.
Fix: Use "tell" when the listener is specified ("us").
Common problem 2
Using "say" with an indirect object
WeakThe officer said us that the road was closed.
StrongThe officer told us that the road was closed.
Fix: Use "tell" when mentioning the listener directly.
Common problem 3
Keeping direct-question word order inside a reported question
WeakShe asked where was the nearest station.
StrongShe asked where the nearest station was.
Fix: Use statement order in reported questions.
Practice Lab
Practice
First notice the right form. Then build it yourself. Then fix it in a full sentence.
Score: 0/3
Focus on the meaning first. If the meaning changes, the grammar usually has to change too.
1. Quick pick
Choose the stronger sentence for Reporting What Others Said.
2. Build it
Put this Reporting What Others Said sentence in the correct order.
Tap a chunk to move it down. Tap it again to send it back.
3. Final sort
Mark each sentence as correct or needing a fix.
The manager told me that the meeting was cancelled.
The manager said me that the meeting was cancelled.
He asked when the report would be ready.
He asked when would be the report ready.
Why It Matters
🎯 Why it matters: Mastering reported speech is essential for clear communication. Misreporting can lead to misunderstandings, affecting both personal and professional interactions. Accurate reporting ensures your English is precise and easily understood.
Get Feedback
Personalized score feedback
Get clear next-step advice.
Choose the support that matches your study goal. You get direct correction, clear scoring language, and a simple next step.
Best when you need precise correction on grammar control, task response quality, and exam-style scoring.
Personalized Coaching
Need faster IELTS improvement? Book a focused 1:1 strategy session.Get free Band 7+ strategies every week
Get free Band 7+ strategies every week