Spoken English Course – Level 4 (Advanced)
Module 3: Reported Speech (Professional & Corporate Usage)
1. What is Reported Speech?
Reported Speech (Indirect Speech) is used to report what someone said without quoting exact words.
It is widely used in offices, meetings, interviews, reports, and emails.
2. Direct to Indirect Speech
| Direct Speech |
Reported Speech |
| He said, “I am busy.” |
He said that he was busy. |
| She said, “I work here.” |
She said that she worked there. |
3. Tense Changes in Reported Speech
| Direct |
Indirect |
| Present Simple |
Past Simple |
| Present Continuous |
Past Continuous |
| Present Perfect |
Past Perfect |
| Will |
Would |
She said, “I have completed the task.”
→ She said that she had completed the task.
4. Pronoun Changes
| Direct |
Indirect |
| I / We |
He / She / They |
| My / Our |
His / Her / Their |
Pronouns change according to the subject of the reporting verb.
5. Time & Place Changes
| Direct |
Indirect |
| Today |
That day |
| Yesterday |
The previous day |
| Tomorrow |
The next day |
| Here |
There |
6. Reporting Questions
Direct: He said, “Where are you going?”
Indirect: He asked where I was going.
Direct: She said, “Do you like coffee?”
Indirect: She asked if I liked coffee.
In reported questions, the sentence structure becomes affirmative.
7. Reporting Commands & Requests
| Direct |
Indirect |
| “Close the door,” he said. |
He told me to close the door. |
| “Please help me,” she said. |
She requested me to help her. |
8. Corporate & Professional Examples
The manager said that the meeting would start at 10 a.m.
HR informed us that the policy had been updated.
9. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1:
Change into reported speech:
1. He said, “I will call you.”
2. She said, “We are working late.”
3. The boss said, “Finish the report.”
Exercise 2 (Speaking):
Report what your teacher said yesterday.
10. Daily Practice Tips
- Convert daily conversations into reported speech
- Practice reporting office instructions
- Speak slowly for accuracy
11. Module Outcome
- Mastery of reported speech
- Professional communication confidence
- Accurate reporting in English
