Reported Speech: He Said That...
Report statements with say and tell, using pronoun, time, and tense changes when the reporting viewpoint requires them.
Learning Objective
Reported Speech: He Said That...
Turn direct statements into natural reported speech and choose correctly between say and tell.
Clear Explanation
Reported statements commonly use said (that) or told + object + (that). Backshift is usual after a past reporting verb when the speaker presents the earlier statement from a later viewpoint.
Form and Structure
subject + said (that) + clause; subject + told + object + (that) + clause
“Mina said that she was tired.”
Backshift is not always necessary when the information is still true or when the reporter wants to endorse it as current. Meaning and viewpoint guide the choice.
Meaning and Use
Say and tell
Say introduces the message; tell normally requires the person who receives it.
“She told us that she was ready.”
Backshift
Present forms often move to past forms after a past reporting verb.
“I am busy becomes He said he was busy.”
Viewpoint changes
Pronouns and time or place expressions may change to preserve the intended reference.
“today may become that day”
Common Errors and Meaning Traps
He said me that he was late.
He told me that he was late.
Use told before a personal object.
She told that she needed help.
She said that she needed help.
Tell normally needs an object; say can introduce the clause directly.
Ravi said that I am tired.
Ravi said that he was tired.
Change the pronoun and tense to match the reporter's viewpoint.
Guided Practice
Use the grammar in context
“He told me that the meeting had started.”
“Sara says that she works from home.”
Report three statements made yesterday, including one with tell and one time expression that must change.
Quick Recap
Reported statements commonly use said (that) or told + object + (that). Backshift is usual after a past reporting verb when the speaker presents the earlier statement from a later viewpoint.
Say introduces the message; tell normally requires the person who receives it.
Backshift is not always necessary when the information is still true or when the reporter wants to endorse it as current. Meaning and viewpoint guide the choice.
Use told before a personal object.
Independent Mastery Check
Complete these four checks before taking the quiz. If one feels difficult, return to the matching section and try again.
Explain the core rule in your own words without looking back at the lesson.
Find the target form in “Mina said that she was tired.” and explain what it communicates in this context.
Explain why “He told me that he was late.” is the recommended revision for “He said me that he was late.”.
Report three statements made yesterday, including one with tell and one time expression that must change.
Continue at B1-B2 Level
Aim for at least 5 out of 6 in the quiz below. For every missed answer, read the explanation, return to the relevant section, and try the quiz again.
Which statement best explains Reported Speech: He Said That...?
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