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Module 7 · Grammar Precision · Lesson 25

Reported Speech

Move beyond 'he said that…'. Master back-shift, pronoun/time changes, and a bank of precise reporting verbs (admit, deny, insist, warn) that native speakers actually use — and that Use of English Part 4 loves to test.

CEFR B260 minReported speechCore

Get talking · Section 1

5 min

activity
He said what?

Your partner says: 'I'm tired and I don't want to go out tonight.' Report it to a third person without using 'that'.

discussion
One verb, many meanings

'Said' is boring. Brainstorm 5 other reporting verbs you know (e.g. admit, deny, promise, warn, suggest).

reflection
Does the tense always change?

If someone says 'The earth is round,' do you have to back-shift to 'was round' when reporting it? Why not?

Grammar focus · Section 2

8–10 min

Back-shift, changes, and precise reporting verbs

Grammar focus

When you report what someone said, tenses usually move one step back into the past, and pronouns/time words adjust to the new speaker and moment. Precise reporting verbs (admit, deny, insist, warn) replace 'said' and carry extra meaning.

Quick Rule

reporting verb + (that) + subject + back-shifted verb

Tense moves one step back; pronouns and time/place words shift; choose a precise verb over 'said that'.

When to Use

  • Reporting statements, questions, requests, orders and advice given by someone else.
  • Use of English Part 4 transformations built on reporting verbs (deny, admit, insist, warn, advise, refuse, offer, suggest).

Pattern Builder

subject

She

+

reporting verb

admitted

+

pattern

(that) / -ing / to-infinitive

+

back-shifted clause

she had taken it

Back-shift map

FormDirect speechReported speech
Present simple'I work here.'she worked here
Present continuous'I'm leaving.'he was leaving
Present perfect'I've finished.'she had finished
Past simple'I saw him.'he had seen him
will / can / must'I will / can / must go.'would / could / had to go

Common Mistake

Forgetting to shift pronouns/time words: 'She said I am coming tomorrow' should be 'She said she was coming the next day.'

Memory Tip

Think of back-shift as a time machine: everything steps back one tense — except facts that are still true.

Natural English

He admitted breaking the vase. She insisted on paying. They warned us not to be late.

Examples

  • → Direct: 'I'm leaving tomorrow.' → Reported: She said (that) she was leaving the next day.

  • → Direct: 'I can't come to the party.' → Reported: He said he couldn't come to the party.

  • → Direct: 'I didn't take your phone.' → Reported: She denied taking my phone. (deny + -ing)

  • → Direct: 'You should see a doctor.' → Reported: He advised me to see a doctor. (advise + object + infinitive)

  • → No back-shift needed for general truths: 'Water boils at 100°C.' → She said (that) water boils at 100°C.

Open Grammar Reference

Question 1.'I'm tired,' she said. → She said…

Question 2.'I'll call you tomorrow.' → He said he ___ me the next day.

Question 3.'I didn't break it,' he said. → He denied ___ it.

Question 4.'You should apologise,' she said. → She advised me ___.

Question 5.Which reporting verb fits: 'Don't go near the edge!' the guide said.

Answer all items, then check.
Conversation Builder
Say it naturally

Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.

1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

Quick check 1.Do general truths need back-shift?

Quick check 2.'admit' is typically followed by…

Quick check 3.'advise' is typically followed by…

Answer all items, then check.

Vocabulary · Section 3

5–7 min

Words & phrases to own

Open Vocabulary Bank
1

to admit (doing sth)

to confess something, often reluctantly.

"He admitted breaking the window."

Use it now

Admit something small you did this week.

2

to deny (doing sth)

to say something is not true.

"She denied knowing anything about it."

Use it now

Deny something jokingly to your partner.

3

to insist (on doing sth)

to say firmly that something must happen.

"He insisted on paying for dinner."

Use it now

Say what you always insist on doing.

4

to warn (sb not to do sth)

to tell someone about a danger or problem in advance.

"The guide warned us not to swim there."

Use it now

Warn your partner about something (jokingly).

5

to advise (sb to do sth)

to recommend a course of action.

"The doctor advised him to rest."

Use it now

Give your partner some advice using 'advise'.

6

to refuse (to do sth)

to say you will not do something.

"She refused to answer the question."

Use it now

Say something you'd refuse to do.

7

to offer (to do sth)

to say you are willing to do something.

"He offered to help me move."

Use it now

Offer to do something for your partner.

8

to suggest (doing sth / that)

to propose an idea.

"She suggested going for a walk."

Use it now

Suggest a weekend activity.

9

to complain (about/that)

to express dissatisfaction.

"He complained that the room was cold."

Use it now

Complain (lightly) about the weather.

10

to promise (to do sth)

to give your word.

"She promised to call back."

Use it now

Make a promise to your partner.

Activate · use it within minutes

Activate · Complete the sentence
Report it

Turn each direct quote into reported speech using the target verb.

  • 'I broke the mug.' (admit) → He admitted…

  • 'I'll definitely be there.' (promise) → She promised…

  • 'Don't touch the wire!' (warn) → He warned me…

  • 'I'll carry your bags.' (offer) → She offered…

Tick each word as you use it

Activate · Speak for 30 seconds
Gossip chain

Whisper a sentence to your partner; they report it back to you using a precise reporting verb.

  • 'I'm not coming to the party.'

  • 'I never said that!'

  • 'You have to finish this today.'

Tick each word as you use it

Matching
Match each reporting verb with its correct grammar pattern.

Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Answer all items, then check.

Pronunciation · Section 4

3–4 min

Weak forms of 'that' and linking in reported speech

Say it aloud

  • • Drop 'that': 'She said she was tired' (not 'She said THAT she was tired' with heavy stress).
  • • Link: 'He admitted_it' — the final consonant links to the vowel.
  • • Stress the reporting verb, not 'that': INSISTED on paying, not insisted ON paying.
  • • Practise: 'She denied it. He admitted it. They warned us.' — keep pace natural, don't pause before the object.

Reading · Section 5

8–10 min

Why 'said that' is costing you marks

Read the passageTap to open

If you look at a typical B2 First script, one verb dominates every reported-speech sentence: 'said'. 'He said that he was tired.' 'She said that she would call.' It is not wrong — but it is a missed opportunity, because Use of English Part 4 is built almost entirely around PRECISE reporting verbs, and examiners in Speaking and Writing reward range.

The first shift candidates need to make is grammatical: reporting verbs come with their own patterns. 'Admit' and 'deny' take '-ing' ('He admitted taking the money'). 'Advise', 'warn' and 'persuade' take an object plus a to-infinitive ('She advised me to leave'). 'Insist' and 'suggest' often take 'on + -ing' or 'that + should'. Mixing these up is one of the most common Part 4 errors — writing 'he admitted to take' instead of 'he admitted taking'.

The second shift is about MEANING, not just grammar. 'Said' tells you nothing about HOW something was said. 'Deny' tells you the speaker rejected an accusation. 'Insist' tells you they were firm, maybe against resistance. 'Warn' tells you there was a danger. Choosing the right verb is choosing the right shade of meaning — exactly what Part 4 rewards, because two sentences with the same literal meaning can require completely different reporting verbs depending on the nuance of the original.

The third shift, often forgotten under exam pressure, is BACK-SHIFT of tense and reference. 'I'll see you tomorrow' becomes 'she said she would see me the next day' — not 'the next day' left as 'tomorrow', and not 'will' left unchanged. General truths are the exception: 'water boils at 100 degrees' stays present tense because it is still true regardless of when it was said.

The practical fix is a habit, not a rule to memorise once. Every time you write 'said that' in a practice essay, pause and ask: is there a more precise verb? Could this be 'admitted', 'insisted', 'warned', 'refused', 'promised', 'suggested'? Building this habit over a few weeks visibly raises both the Use of English score and the Language mark in Writing.

Question 1.What is 'said' criticised for in the passage?

Question 2.'Admit' and 'deny' typically take…

Question 3.'Advise' and 'warn' typically take…

Question 4.Which stays unchanged in reported speech?

Question 5.The suggested practical fix is to…

Answer all items, then check.
True / False / Not Given
Decide if each statement is True or False

Q1.'Said' is grammatically incorrect in reported speech.

Q2.'Admit' is usually followed by an -ing form.

Q3.General truths keep their original tense when reported.

Q4.Use of English Part 4 rarely tests reporting verbs.

Answer all items, then check.

Listening · Section 6

8–10 min

Two friends recount an awkward meeting

Listening audio

Tap play to listen. Drag the timeline to jump anywhere.

Show transcript

Olivia:So how did the meeting with your landlord go?

Marcus:Honestly, pretty tense. He said the rent was going up next month.

Olivia:What? Did he explain why?

Marcus:He claimed it was because of 'rising costs', but I don't really believe him.

Olivia:Did you say anything back?

Marcus:I told him I couldn't afford an increase right now. He just shrugged.

Olivia:That's rude. Did he threaten to end the contract or anything?

Marcus:Not exactly, but he warned me that if I didn't pay by the fifth, there'd be a penalty.

Olivia:Wow. Did you admit anything about being late last month?

Marcus:Actually yes — I admitted paying late in March, but I explained it was a bank error.

Olivia:Did he accept that?

Marcus:Sort of. He insisted on getting proof, so I promised to send him the bank statement.

Olivia:Good. And did he offer anything in return, like fixing the heating?

Marcus:I asked, and he said he'd look into it, but he refused to give me a date.

Olivia:Typical. What are you going to do?

Marcus:I suggested meeting again next week once I've sent the proof. He agreed, so we'll see.

Question 1.What did the landlord say about the rent?

Question 2.What did the landlord warn Marcus about?

Question 3.What did Marcus admit?

Question 4.What did Marcus promise to do?

Question 5.What did the landlord refuse to do?

Answer all items, then check.
Tick what you hear
Tick every reporting verb actually used correctly in the dialogue's events.
Answer all items, then check.

Exam skills · Section 7

5 min

Use of English Part 4 — Key Word Transformations with reporting verbs

🎯 Reported Speech in Part 4

Transform sentences using a given key word — reporting verbs are one of the most tested categories.

  • Identify the pattern the key word demands (verb + -ing / to-infinitive / that-clause)
  • Keep the meaning identical — don't add or remove information
  • Answers must be 2–5 words and include the key word unchanged
  • Check tense/pronoun shifts if the transformation involves reported speech

Complete the FCE Exam Practice transformations below.

Quick Tip

Learn reporting-verb patterns as fixed chunks: 'admit + -ing', 'advise + object + to-infinitive'. Don't reinvent them each time.

Exam Hack

If the key word is a reporting verb, rewrite the direct quote in your head first, then apply the pattern — it's faster than guessing.

Common Mistake

Don't forget the key word must stay in its EXACT given form — no changing 'deny' to 'denied' if the key word given is 'DENY'.

Your task

Complete the 6-item Part 4 transformation set in FCE Exam Practice below.

Example

Original: 'I broke the vase,' he said. Key word: ADMITTED. Target: He ___ the vase. Answer: admitted breaking

Open Exam Strategy Centre

Practice · Section 8

8–10 min

Fill in the blank

Question 1.She said she ___ tired.

Question 2.He admitted ___ the money.

Question 3.They warned us ___ be late.

Question 4.She advised me ___ a doctor.

Question 5.He insisted ___ paying for everyone.

Answer all items, then check.
Sentence transformation
Type a short answer (1–3 words)

Q1.Direct: 'I'll call tomorrow.' Reported (verb form): would ___

Q2.Pattern for 'deny': deny + ___ (form)

Q3.One reporting verb meaning 'say no to doing something':

Answer all items, then check.

Writing · Section 9

5 min

Put it in writing

Your task

Write a short paragraph (80–100 words) reporting a disagreement you overheard or imagined, using at least 5 different reporting verbs (not just 'said').

Show model answer

My neighbours were arguing again last night. She accused him of never helping with the housework, but he denied doing nothing — he insisted he'd cleaned the kitchen that morning. She warned him that she was tired of asking twice for everything. He promised to make a proper rota, and eventually offered to cook dinner as an apology. She suggested writing the rota together so nobody could complain later. By the end, they'd both admitted overreacting, and things seemed calmer.

Speaking · Section 10

10–15 min

Make it a real conversation

Open Useful Expressions

Roleplay

1:1 online roleplay. Teacher plays a friend telling a dramatic story in direct speech. Student must retell it immediately in reported speech, choosing precise reporting verbs rather than 'said'.

Useful phrases

  • • She admitted that…
  • • He insisted on…
  • • They warned me not to…
  • • She refused to…
  • • He offered to…
Dialogue completion
Complete each line reporting the previous direct quote naturally.
  • AMy sister said, 'I'm not coming to the wedding.'
  • B_______________
  • AThe mechanic said, 'Don't drive it until Friday.'
  • B_______________
Answer all items, then check.

Teacher notes

Optional · Teacher-led

Teacher Activities

Two fast drills that build automaticity with reporting-verb patterns. ~14 min total

FCE Exam Practice · Section 11

20–30 min

Real FCE tasks

Cambridge B2 First · Use of English · Part 4. Complete the second sentence using the key word, keeping the meaning the same.

Cambridge B2 First · Reading & Use of English · Part 4 · Key Word Transformations
Key Word Transformations — Reported Speech

  1. 1.'I broke your phone,' Tom said.

    ADMITTED

    Tom

  2. 2.'I won't apologise,' she said.

    REFUSED

    She

  3. 3.The guide said, 'Don't feed the animals.'

    WARNED

    The guide

  4. 4.'I'll fix your car,' said the mechanic.

    OFFERED

    The mechanic

  5. 5.'Let's take the early train,' said Maria.

    SUGGESTED

    Maria

  6. 6.'I didn't take the file,' said the intern.

    DENIED

    The intern

Answer all items, then check.

Homework · Section 12

Take-home

Take it home

grammar
Task 1

Transform 8 sentences

Rewrite 8 direct quotes into reported speech using the reporting verb given in brackets.

Apply the correct grammar pattern for each verb (check the VOCAB_MATCHING pairs if unsure).

  1. 'I broke the window.' (admit)
  2. 'I won't do it.' (refuse)
  3. 'Don't swim here.' (warn)
  4. 'I'll pay you back.' (promise)
  5. 'Let's go to the cinema.' (suggest)
  6. 'I'll carry that for you.' (offer)
  7. 'I didn't eat the last biscuit.' (deny)
  8. 'You should rest.' (advise)
Finish the homework, then check.
listening
Task 2

Retell a news story

Watch/listen to a short news clip and retell 3 quotes from it using reported speech and precise reporting verbs.

Write the 3 direct quotes first, then their reported versions.

  1. Direct quote 1 + reported version
  2. Direct quote 2 + reported version
  3. Direct quote 3 + reported version

Recap · Section 13

2–3 min

What you've learned

  • Reported speech = tense back-shift + pronoun/time shift + verb choice.
  • General truths don't need back-shift.
  • Precise reporting verbs (admit, deny, insist, warn, advise) beat 'said that' for range and precision.
  • Each reporting verb has its own grammar pattern (-ing / to-infinitive / that-clause).
  • Use of English Part 4 frequently tests reporting-verb transformations.
Lesson 24 · Listening Part 4Lesson 26 · Conditionals & What If