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What it is
A way of telling someone what another person said, without quoting their exact words. Tenses, pronouns and time words usually shift.
Form
| Type | Pattern | Model sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Statement | said (that) + subject + back-shifted verb | "I'm busy." → He said (that) he was busy. |
| Negative | said (that) + subject + didn't/wouldn't + V | "I won't go." → She said she wouldn't go. |
| Wh- question | asked + (object) + wh- + subject + verb | "Where do you work?" → He asked where I worked. |
| Yes/No question | asked + (object) + if/whether + subject + verb | "Are you ready?" → She asked if I was ready. |
| Command / request | told/asked + object + (not) to + V | "Don't wait." → He told me not to wait. |
Shifts: now → then · today → that day · tomorrow → the next day · here → there · this → that.
Use it when
- You summarise a conversation, message or announcement.
- You want precise reporting verbs (admit, refuse, suggest, warn, offer) instead of repeating 'said'.
Examples
- "I'll pay you back." → He promised to pay me back.
- "Let's meet at six." → She suggested meeting at six.
- "I broke the window." → He admitted breaking the window.
- "Don't touch it." → They warned us not to touch it.
Watch out
He said me he was late.
He told me he was late.
tell + person; say + no person (say to me).
She asked where was the station.
She asked where the station was.
Reported questions use statement word order.
- No back-shift if the fact is still true: He said he lives in Oslo.
Remember
Report = step back one tense, move the pronouns, drop the question word order.
Quick check
- 1."I've finished." → He said ___.
- 2."Can you help?" → She asked ___.