{"id":273385,"date":"2026-09-16T03:00:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T08:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273385"},"modified":"2026-09-16T03:00:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T08:00:39","slug":"reported-speech-statements-questions-b1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/reported-speech-statements-questions-b1\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering Reported Speech: Statements &#038; Questions (B1 English Grammar)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lc-answer\"><strong>Reported speech is how we tell someone what another person said, without using their exact words.<\/strong> This is a key skill for B1 English learners, allowing you to share information and conversations smoothly. When we use reported speech, we often change the verb tense to a &#8220;past&#8221; form, a process called &#8220;backshift.&#8221; For example, <span data-no-translation>\u2018I am happy\u2019<\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation>He said he was happy.<\/span> We also adjust pronouns, time expressions, and place words to fit the new context, such as changing <span data-no-translation>\u2018today\u2019<\/span> \uff5e\u3078 <span data-no-translation>\u2018that day.\u2019<\/span> For questions, the word order changes, and we use words like <span data-no-translation>if<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>whether<\/span> for yes\/no questions. Mastering these changes helps you communicate more naturally and accurately in English. Remember to use <span data-no-translation>tell<\/span> with an object (e.g., <span data-no-translation>told me<\/span>) \u304a\u3088\u3073 <span data-no-translation>say<\/span> without one (e.g., <span data-no-translation>said that<\/span>). This structure is vital for everyday conversations and storytelling.<\/div>\n<h2>What is Reported Speech?<\/h2>\n<p>When we talk about what someone said, we can use two main forms: direct speech or reported speech.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Direct speech<\/strong> uses the speaker&#8217;s exact words, usually with quotation marks. For example: <span data-no-translation>He said, \u2018I don\u2019t want to talk to you.\u2019<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Reported speech<\/strong> (also called indirect speech) tells us what was said without using the exact words. For example: <span data-no-translation>He said he didn\u2019t want to talk to me.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We often use reporting verbs like <span data-no-translation>say<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>tell<\/span>, \u3001\u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>ask<\/span> to introduce reported speech.<\/p>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-blended\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0E63C4,#0A2540);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\ud83c\udf93 \u30d6\u30ec\u30f3\u30c7\u30c3\u30c9\u5b66\u7fd2\u6cd5\u3067\u82f1\u8a9e\u3092\u5b66\u307c\u3046<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;opacity:.95;\">\u5c11\u4eba\u6570\u5236\u30fb24\u6642\u9593365\u65e5\u5bfe\u5fdc\u306eAI\u30c1\u30e5\u30fc\u30bf\u30fc\u30fb\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a66\u9a13\u5bfe\u7b56<\/p><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;font-size:18px;\">\u4ee5\u4e0b\u306e\u30d7\u30e9\u30f3\u304b\u3089 <strong><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">$<\/span>39<\/bdi><\/span><\/strong> <s style=\"opacity:.6;\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">$<\/span>79<\/bdi><\/span><\/s> \u6708\u984d<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#fff;color:#0E63C4;\">\u30af\u30e9\u30b9\u306e\u4e88\u7d04\u3092\u3059\u308b<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>How Do Tenses Change in Reported Speech? (Backshift)<\/h2>\n<p>When the reporting verb (e.g., <span data-no-translation>said<\/span>) is in the past, we usually \"backshift\" the tense of the original statement. This means moving the tense one step further into the past.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation><strong>Present Simple<\/strong><\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation><strong>Past Simple<\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>\u2018I don\u2019t want to talk.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>He said he didn\u2019t want to talk.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation><strong>Present Continuous<\/strong><\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation><strong>Past Continuous<\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>\u2018I\u2019m planning to resign.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>She said she was planning to resign.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation><strong>Present Perfect<\/strong><\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation><strong>Past Perfect<\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>\u2018I\u2019ve already told you.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>He said he had already told me.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation><strong>Past Simple<\/strong><\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation><strong>Past Perfect<\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>\u2018I saw you break it.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>I told him I had seen him break it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation><strong>\u2018Be going to\u2019<\/strong><\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation><strong>\u2018was\/were going to\u2019<\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>\u2018I\u2019m going to cook tonight.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>You said you were going to cook that night.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation><strong>Will<\/strong><\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation><strong>Would<\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>\u2018I\u2019ll see you soon.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>He said he would see me soon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation><strong>Can<\/strong><\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation><strong>Could<\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>\u2018I can\u2019t hear you.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>She said she couldn\u2019t hear me.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation><strong>May<\/strong><\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation><strong>Might<\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>\u2018You may be right.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>He said I might be right.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Do All Modal Verbs Change?<\/h2>\n<p>No, some modal verbs do not change in reported speech. These modals already express a degree of possibility or condition.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The modal verbs <span data-no-translation>would<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>could<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>, \u3001\u304a\u3088\u3073 <span data-no-translation>might<\/span> usually stay the same.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u4f8b\u3048\u3070\uff1a<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Direct: \u2018I\u2019d like to go.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>Reported: He said he\u2019d like to go.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Direct: \u2018It might be difficult.\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>Reported: She said it might be difficult.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Reporting Questions: Wh- and Yes\/No<\/h2>\n<p>When reporting questions, the word order changes from question form to statement form. We also do not use question marks.<\/p>\n<h3>Wh- Questions<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep the question word (<span data-no-translation>where, why, what, when, how<\/span>).<\/li>\n<li>Put the subject <strong>\u4ee5\u524d<\/strong> the verb.<\/li>\n<li>Do not use the auxiliary verbs <span data-no-translation>do, does,<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>did<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Examples:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Direct: \u2018Where are you from?\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>Reported: She asked me where I was from.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Direct: \u2018Why did she say that?\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>Reported: He asked me why she had said that.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Yes\/No Questions<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\u4f7f\u7528\u65b9\u6cd5 <span data-no-translation>if<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>whether<\/span> after the reporting verb.<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Whether<\/span> is generally more formal than <span data-no-translation>if<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>Again, put the subject <strong>\u4ee5\u524d<\/strong> the verb.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Examples:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Direct: \u2018Are you going to help?\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>Reported: We asked them if they were going to help.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Direct: \u2018Did you visit the London Eye?\u2019<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>Reported: She asked us whether we had visited the London Eye.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Other Important Changes: Pronouns, Time, and Place<\/h2>\n<p>Besides tenses, you usually need to change pronouns and possessive adjectives. This depends on who is speaking and who is being spoken to.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Direct: \u2018I want you to give this message to your boss tonight.\u2019<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Reported: She said she wanted me to give that message to my boss that night.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Common changes for time and place words:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>now<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>then<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>today<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>that day<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>tonight<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>that night<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>yesterday<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>the day before \/ the previous day<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>tomorrow<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>the next day \/ the following day<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>last week<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>the week before \/ the previous week<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>next year<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>the following year<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>here<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>there<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>this<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>that<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>these<\/span> \u2192 <span data-no-translation>those<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>When Don't We Change the Tense?<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes, we don't need to backshift the tense in reported speech. This happens in specific situations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When the original statement is still true or relevant at the time of reporting. For example, if someone said <span data-no-translation>\u2018I don\u2019t want to talk to you\u2019<\/span> yesterday, and it's still true today: <span data-no-translation>I told you yesterday that I don\u2019t want to talk to you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>If the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g., <span data-no-translation>He says...<\/span>), we also don't change the tense of the reported clause. For example: <span data-no-translation>He says he is happy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>For general truths or scientific facts: <span data-no-translation>She said the Earth is round.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Say vs. Tell: What's the Difference?<\/h2>\n<p>These two verbs are often confused, but they have different grammar patterns. Understanding them is crucial for correct reported speech.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-no-translation>Say<\/span>:<\/strong> \u4f7f\u7528\u65b9\u6cd5 <span data-no-translation>say<\/span> when you don't mention the person you are speaking to. You can use <span data-no-translation>say (that) + clause<\/span>. For example: <span data-no-translation>He said (that) he had a new car.<\/span> You can also use <span data-no-translation>say to someone<\/span>, but <span data-no-translation>tell<\/span> is more common when an object is present.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-no-translation>Tell<\/span>:<\/strong> \u5fc5\u305a <span data-no-translation>tell<\/span> with an object (the person you are speaking to). The pattern is <span data-no-translation>tell + object + (that) + clause<\/span>. For example: <span data-no-translation>He told me (that) he had a new car.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Remember: It is incorrect to say <span data-no-translation>He said me he had a new car.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<caption>Common Tense Changes in Reported Speech<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Direct Speech Tense<\/th>\n<th>Reported Speech Tense<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Present Simple<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Past Simple<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Present Continuous<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Past Continuous<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Present Perfect<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Past Perfect<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Past Simple<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Past Perfect<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Will<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Would<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Can<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Could<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>May<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Might<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Be going to<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Was\/Were going to<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>\u4f8b<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He said, \u2018I don\u2019t want to talk to you.\u2019<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He said he didn\u2019t want to talk to me.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She said she was planning to resign.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He said he had already told me.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I told him I had seen him break it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>You said you were going to cook that night.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He said he would see me soon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She said she couldn\u2019t hear me.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He said I might be right.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He said he\u2019d like to go.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She said it might be difficult.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She asked me where I was from.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He asked me why she had said that.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>We asked them if they were going to help.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She asked us whether we had visited the London Eye.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She said she wanted me to give that message to my boss that night.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I told you yesterday that I don\u2019t want to talk to you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Tom said he had a new car.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Tom told me he had a new car.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u7df4\u7fd2<\/h2>\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-1787\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"1787\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"I10 L5 GRAMMAR Reported speech (statements and questions)\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-placement\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2B87DA,#29C4A9);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\u270d\ufe0f \u81ea\u5206\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u304c\u308f\u304b\u3089\u306a\u3044\uff1f<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.95;\">\u7121\u6599\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u5224\u5b9a\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u3066\u3001\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a8d\u5b9a\u8a66\u9a13\u5b98\u304b\u3089\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306b\u5408\u308f\u305b\u305f\u30d5\u30a3\u30fc\u30c9\u30d0\u30c3\u30af\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u53d6\u308a\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002.<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/%e3%82%a4%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b0%e3%83%aa%e3%83%83%e3%82%b7%e3%83%a5\/%e3%82%a2%e3%82%ab%e3%83%87%e3%83%9f%e3%83%bc\/%e7%84%a1%e6%96%99%e4%bd%93%e9%a8%93\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#0A2540;color:#fff;\">\u7121\u6599\u30d7\u30ec\u30a4\u30b9\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u30fb\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u308b<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>\u30b9\u30da\u30a4\u30f3\u8a9e\u8a71\u8005\u304c\u3088\u304f\u72af\u3059\u9593\u9055\u3044<\/h2>\n<p>Many Spanish speakers often make these mistakes when using reported speech:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u5206\u304b\u308a\u306b\u304f\u3044 <span data-no-translation>say<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>tell<\/span>:<\/strong> Direct translation of \"decir a alguien\" can lead to errors.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>She said me she was busy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>She told me she was busy.<\/span> (Use <span data-no-translation>tell<\/span> with an object)<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>She said she was busy.<\/span> (Use <span data-no-translation>say<\/span> without an object)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Forgetting to backshift tenses:<\/strong> Especially from Past Simple to Past Perfect when the reporting verb is in the past.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>He said he went to the party yesterday.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>He said he had gone to the party the day before.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Not changing the word order in reported questions:<\/strong> Remember to use statement word order (subject + verb).\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>She asked me where was I from.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>She asked me where I was from.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u3088\u304f\u3042\u308b\u8cea\u554f<\/h2>\n<h3>Why do we change tenses in reported speech?<\/h3>\n<p>We change tenses (called \"backshift\") because the original words were spoken at an earlier time. The reported speech reflects that past moment. For example, <span data-no-translation>\u2018I am hungry\u2019<\/span> \uff5e\u306b\u306a\u308b <span data-no-translation>He said he was hungry<\/span>, because at the time of reporting, he *was* hungry.<\/p>\n<h3>Is it always necessary to backshift tenses?<\/h3>\n<p>No, not always. If the reported statement is still true or relevant at the moment of reporting, or if the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g., <span data-no-translation>He says...<\/span>), you don't need to backshift. For example, <span data-no-translation>She said the Earth is round<\/span> is correct because it's a universal truth.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I use 'that' after 'say' or 'tell'?<\/h3>\n<p>\u306f\u3044\u3001, <span data-no-translation>that<\/span> is optional after <span data-no-translation>say<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>tell<\/span> in reported statements. For example, <span data-no-translation>He said he was tired<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>He said that he was tired<\/span> are both correct. It's often omitted in informal speech.<\/p>\n<h3>What's the main difference between reporting statements and reporting questions?<\/h3>\n<p>The main difference is word order and the use of conjunctions. For statements, we use subject + verb. For questions, we also use subject + verb (not question word order), and we add <span data-no-translation>if\/whether<\/span> for yes\/no questions, or keep the question word for Wh- questions.<\/p>\n<h2>\u95a2\u9023\u30ec\u30c3\u30b9\u30f3<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/?p=272801\">Reported speech<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reported speech is how we tell someone what another person said, without using their exact words. This is a key skill for B1 English learners, allowing you to share information and conversations smoothly. When we use reported speech, we often change the verb tense to a &#8220;past&#8221; form, a process called &#8220;backshift.&#8221; For example, \u2018I am happy\u2019 becomes He said he was happy. We also adjust pronouns, time expressions, and place words to fit the new context, such as changing \u2018today\u2019 to \u2018that day.\u2019 For questions, the word order changes, and we use words like if or whether for yes\/no questions. Mastering these changes helps you communicate more naturally and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":274446,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bwfblock_default_font":"","langcom_teaches":"Reported speech","langcom_cefr":"B1","langcom_type":"grammar","langcom_faq":"[{\"q\": \"Why do we change tenses in reported speech?\", \"a\": \"We change tenses (called \\\"backshift\\\") because the original words were spoken at an earlier time. The reported speech reflects that past moment. For example, <span data-no-translation>\u2018I am hungry\u2019<\/span> becomes <span data-no-translation>He said he was hungry<\/span>, because at the time of reporting, he *was* hungry.\"}, {\"q\": \"Is it always necessary to backshift tenses?\", \"a\": \"No, not always. If the reported statement is still true or relevant at the moment of reporting, or if the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g., <span data-no-translation>He says...<\/span>), you don't need to backshift. For example, <span data-no-translation>She said the Earth is round<\/span> is correct because it's a universal truth.\"}, {\"q\": \"Can I use 'that' after 'say' or 'tell'?\", \"a\": \"Yes, <span data-no-translation>that<\/span> is optional after <span data-no-translation>say<\/span> or <span data-no-translation>tell<\/span> in reported statements. For example, <span data-no-translation>He said he was tired<\/span> and <span data-no-translation>He said that he was tired<\/span> are both correct. It's often omitted in informal speech.\"}, {\"q\": \"What's the main difference between reporting statements and reporting questions?\", \"a\": \"The main difference is word order and the use of conjunctions. For statements, we use subject + verb. For questions, we also use subject + verb (not question word order), and we add <span data-no-translation>if\/whether<\/span> for yes\/no questions, or keep the question word for Wh- questions.\"}]","_kiss_seo_title":"","_kiss_seo_excerpt":"Reported speech is how we tell someone what another person said, without using their exact words.","_mwseo_canonical":"","_mwseo_keywords":"","_mwseo_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[168],"tags":[651,1118],"formats":[],"class_list":["post-273385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-b1-intermediate-english","tag-grammar","tag-reported-speech-statements-and-questions"],"dsm_author":{"name":"\u30e9\u30a6\u30eb","avatar_url":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nsl_avatars\/1de86ea706740d324aaef3dd8bf0843b.png","archive_link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/author\/raulmaguinahamann\/","biodata":""},"dsm_categories":[{"term_name":"B1 Intermediate 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