Grammar

Reported Speech 2

A guide to using words other than "said" for reported speech.

Jacob M

— 4 min read
Reported Speech 2
Photo by Annie Spratt / Unsplash
Reporting Speech Guide for ESL Students

Reporting What People Say

Let's learn words to use instead of just "said"!

Why use other words?

In English, we often report what someone said. Using only the word "said" can be boring. Using different 'reporting verbs' makes your English more interesting and clear. It adds more meaning!

For example:

Direct: "The exam is difficult," she said.

Reported: She warned me that the exam was difficult. (This shows she was trying to help me.)

Reported: She complained that the exam was difficult. (This shows she was unhappy.)

Told / Asked

These are very common reporting verbs.

  • We use told to give information to someone. We must say WHO we told.

    Direct: "I will be late," he said to me.

    Reported: He told me he would be late.

  • We use asked to report a question.

    Direct: "Are you coming to the party?" she said.

    Reported: She asked if I was coming to the party.

Check Your Understanding

Direct: "Where is the bathroom?" he said.

Explained / Mentioned

These verbs are for giving information in different ways.

  • We use explained when someone gives details or makes something clear.

    Direct: "You need to plug it in, then press the green button," the teacher said.

    Reported: The teacher explained how to use the machine.

  • We use mentioned when someone talks about something briefly, without much detail.

    Direct: "By the way, there is a meeting tomorrow," my boss said.

    Reported: My boss mentioned that there was a meeting the next day.

Check Your Understanding

He talked for 5 minutes about the new office coffee machine.

Insisted / Warned

These are strong verbs that show feeling or importance.

  • We use insisted when someone says something very strongly and doesn't want to change their mind.

    Direct: "You must take this medicine," the doctor said.

    Reported: The doctor insisted that I take the medicine.

  • We use warned when someone tells you about a possible danger or problem.

    Direct: "Don't walk on the wet floor," she said.

    Reported: She warned us not to walk on the wet floor.

Check Your Understanding

Direct: "I promise, I will pay you back tomorrow!"

Practice Quiz

Choose the best reporting verb for each sentence.

1. Direct: "Can you help me with this box?"

Which is the best reported sentence?

2. Direct: "I really, really did not break the window!" he said.

He _____ that he didn't break the window.

3. Direct: "The reason the sky is blue is because of light scattering."

The scientist _____ why the sky is blue.

4. Direct: "Be careful! The dog is not friendly," she said.

She _____ us about the unfriendly dog.

5. Direct: "The train will arrive at 5 PM," the man said to us.

The man _____ that the train would arrive at 5 PM.

Read more