Learn to use reported speech: HE SAID, SHE SAID

Thanks a lot.

zeeshanjafar

I was confused but…100/100 :D Thank you, Ronnie!

Happy04

Good for you happy04! Perfect score! However,if you still have some questions on reported speech, why don’t you ask David (take a close look at the comment below mine)? Well, it is just a piece of advice.

I’m sure he -David- will be willing to clarify your doubts in this respect.

Have a great day!

Regino

Great lesson, Ronnie, thank you.

I find this example incorrect, though: “She said she _(ate)_ apple pie for breakfast this morning.”

Her original words could NOT be in Present Simple “I EAT apple pie for breakfast this morning,” so the sentence cannot shift to “ATE” (Past Simple).

The correct sentence should be: She said she _(had eaten)_ apple pie for breakfast THAT morning. However, I know natives do make this mistake in different languages, not only in English :-)

We should not forget to shift also the pronouns and time adverbs of the sentence e.g.:

now -> then
today -> that day
tomorrow -> the next/following day

yesterday -> the day before/the previous day; sometimes also: “the other day” can be used

last month – the month before/the previous month
next year -> the following year

this – that
these – those
here – there
etc.

David

this morning it is not a specific time! present perfect
she said, ” she has eaten an apple this morning.”
she said that she had eaten an apple that morning.h

Briklend Handersson

Her original words were: “I HAVE eaten an apple this morning.” This Present Perfect sentence should shift to Past Perfect “She said that she HAD eaten an apple that morning.” So the “ATE” answer marked as correct in the quiz is actually incorrect. Do not mix up “She says” with “She said”. “She said” is used for reported speech.

David

Yes I do know Sir. I have got CAE and CEP. Please accept my deepest apologies for disturbing you. H

Briklend Handersson

What would you like to teach me Sir. h

Briklend Handersson

Just to add, with Reported Speech we could never arrive at “she said she ATE…” in this case, as her action was a one-off activity this morning (original sentence in Present Perfect or Past Simple), not a repeated one (Present Simple, e.g. “I eat apple pie every morning”). “I EAT apple pie this morning” could not have been her original sentence, as it would have been incorrect.

David

It is first level do you get it ?h

Briklend Handersson

I’m not the fan of hollow discussions on forums. As long as you do not agree with my explanation, you can provide a similar detailed one, which would challenge mine, to the learners of this site. Otherwise, we can close this here now and we’ll leave it to the learners to decide what the take-home message is.

David

Yeah, we remember, especially as it’s probably fifth or sixth lesson on reported speech. Let’s face it – English grammar’s logical and reasonably predictable. I suppose everybody knows that already… I don’t want to be rude, just feel a little weary of this endless going over and over the basics of grammar. Maybe it’s time for some REALLY advanced lessons?
Really, there’s so much interesting topics possible, e.g. how to drop a thick native accent, how to acquire a standard one or RP, etc.

ernest

It was to be an answer to your first comment on this page, David. No idea why it appeared here…

ernest

Yes, I’ve read your comment. I understand and appreciate Engvid’s policy to provide elementary-level learners with separate lessons. However, I felt it important to correct the details above, important for e.g. intermediate learners. I’d rather quizzes were error-free and spotless.

David

Good lesson!! but…..
I am totally in agreement!! we have to be careful with these simple rules (as you said: shift the pronouns and time adverbs of the sentence, etc)

anderson-weider

I was a little confused at first. I haven’t understood until reading your explanation, David. Thanks a lot :)

Nica.w

I agree about your comment, David.
I hope to be as good as you are in English pretty soon.

Congratulations and thank you for that.

Frederico Cavalini

I think you are right in what you was saying , it is a so useful comment , i want ask you another question what about past continuaus what would it be in direct speach ?

modyegy

Hi David,
I’m not better than anyone but I think that I can also say that her original words were: ” I eat an apple this morning” because it could be a futur sentence. Just imagine that she wakes up and says this original phrase. In this case-I thing-entirely well. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Thanks for reading.

McJonnhson

I think like you :))

JaunBao122005@gmai.com

Thanks Ronnie for your easy-going lesson, even in this difficult subject.

Thanks David for your remarks too.

Fabio Cicerre

If someone wants to practice please add me on Skype (ninguem00001) :)

Danny758

thank you Miss Ronnie very nice lesson. h
I got 10 out of 10. h

Briklend Handersson

A big thank you

arguig

Wow!!!.it’s not easy for me.Thank you for your lesson.

pavanut2

80/100 almost shoo0000t…!!!!

dany

perfect 10/10. thanks so much

thachle896

Thank you very much.

mohammedyaeesh

Hi madam I m so thankful to you i love you and your teaching method i m always looking your videos at the same time i m increasing my knowledge to the good level i thank you if you are able to teach by skype it would be more effective me

Naji Abdin

Every past tense BECOME past perfect!!!!!

mescal

wah, great!
Thank you, Ronnie,,

Putrastoic

Thanks a lot I got 9 corret out of 10

It’s quite diffcult for me.

Ukrit

i got full marks ha ha ha

delwar

OK. This lesson is a bit hard, but the teacher is cleaver enough. Thank You.

GFranza

Thank you, Ronnie!

h8dynamic

Native speakers and teachers in US, Canada, UK, etc. does not agree.
Of course, a mistake of native speaker isn’t important.
Say/said – tell -told,,, plus correct tense is for students.
The same thing happens in all languages.
Who cares? Not me. Maybe the (fake) vikings are in trouble. I insist, who cares?

aroibas

BTW. Quote is quote, in speech as and in writing.
I could say ‘This is bullshit’. That is a quote.
But if you say that this is a bullshit, is that a quote?
Answer to the viking. If his answer is right, it’s okay.

aroibas

About Past Simple, “He took my photo”, Could I write like this? “He HAS taken my photo” instead of “He HAD taken my photo”.

Help me!

maico

Scored well but, i guess i need to practice it by speaking. Thanks :)

Atreyi

thanks so much Ronnie

Astric

I am starting to transcribe all of your videos. I hope that it could help me improve my listening and also writing skill.
by the way, I am practising speaking in skype. minhlecong96

sunnyboyiam

Grat lessons, I think that the reported speech is usefull in casual conversations too.

danpalvald

Im still confusing tenses,But i think i need more practice……….to improve my listening and speaking…………..Thank you Teacher Ronnie

Hydelin Perillo

Finally I understood the reported speech grammar rules. Thanks Ronnie.

tony wang

Ronnie is a great teacher, I love her.

mandyduff

Thanks Ronnie, indirect speech was my nightmare . But now I am cool.

06AS

thanks thought i lost one

blanche T

Thans Ronnie.

onrylmz

A good lesson, very interesting. Thank you, teacher!

tozikhoai

thnx <3

ihab4

I see , I can get this chapter, but I always careless.

I got 8/10 :(

but it’s not too bad :D

imatrohimat

Great lesson Ronnie, thank you very much!

AlessandroItaly

Thank you for your lesson. It’s very useful for my work.

zaboozine

:) nice to meet u krub

Sakda Sakulfaeng

I got 10/10.This chart is very useful to do practice of reported speech.At a glance we can easily understand how to convert a sentence into reported speech.I had a problem while doing this in school but now it is crystal clear Ronnie.Thanks for that.

TEJALKK

thanks,that was perfect

armita

Perfect
it become so easy for Me
thank u so much

Doshiko

Thanks ronnie for this amazing explanation. I love every topic you made:) anyone would like to practice with me? add me on skype (iyah0131).

czacza85

thank you

Meriem12

very great
thanks

namson

This was awesome!
10/10
Perfect score

Harry Benjamin

this lesson was kind of hard for me i think that i need to start putting more attention :(

isaromper

Hi, how are u doing?
I’m looking for someone to practice my English. If u want practice with me, add me on skype: garotofreak.
Bye!

J. Paulo Lobato

Thank you Ronnie , Overachiever as usual

Anwarlawyer

Ronnie you’re the best english teacher, i learn and i laugh with your video!
so thank you

merryl

Thank you very much

nganth

Very clear. Thank you Ronnie.

Dr@g0n

really i love soooooo much this teacher

loujaine

Thanks for all, ronnie

HeyCapi

Great Lesson, Thank you Ronnie. But I am not agree with the first question answer. I think it’s not the same things, I mean direction and indirection speech.

AntonEryomin

Very easy lesson ! I’ve got 100. Thanks Ronnie.

yfabio

Thank you very much!

Chloechou

Thanks, great lesson

JIMMY.HOO

9/10 WHAT??? Nah, You kidding, 9/10 ?? On reported speech? Nah, you try to pull me out a leg! 9/10. Well, Ladies and Gentlemans tonight “Ramones” at the CBGB!? Sorry, “Ramones” tonight at Engvid.com Club. Come on, Joey..

Jorge Pedroso

Thanks Ronnie. I got 100/100!!

Tina Choi

thanks for your easy way that you used to teach us.waiting for your next video
…

Maryam Zaky

happy Ramadan Maryam by the way ) wish you improve your english at the high possibility

bakhtiyar ali

thank you

mhdnourhmidi

Thanks for that

Nklgurung

thanks Ronnie, I had a lot of problem with that roll.

mehdi68

Thank you so much.

binhtran89

I said I really confused but 100/100 :D thx

kardemirdeniz

thanx

Furqan.37

Wow, I have got 100% what I never had before! Thank you Ronnie! :)

Kata71

This has been one of the best lesson so far.. i find it very useful for me, sepecially when i have to speak with someone!!!! Thanks very much!!

Flavio90

Thanks …..it was very clear ….

Catena

80/100 not so bad. Thank you Ronnie! Really like your lessons.

Paulina

I got 9 correct out of 10 ;) not bad-but have to keep going

bakhtiyar ali

Thank you very much you are a great teacher,i have got 100%.

graida

I like your method of teaching,thank you very much, you made me understand the difference between could and should.

graida

8/10

ann ann

What about the past continuous in the direct speech ?
He was playing chess.
She said he had been playing chess.
Is this correct

Mahmoud Amr

Finally I got what I misunderstood

ETGY

now i know it betteR)

turalrahimli

Thank you for this lession i need it for long time

Chhelpanha

Hi Ronnie, you were my first teacher here, your classes are very dynamic and fun, your videos are very useful and help me to improve my English very fast, you are the best!,

Edmundomr

got 9. not bad. :)

tsamreynolds

Wow thank you so much!!! I got 10/10 :D

jarijari

I got9.
thank you so much.
I can report now

beerkondee12

Thank you so much Ronnie , You are awesome and The way how you teach English is very simple and easy to understand.I got 100% .

Roshina86

thank you so much
i was enteresting
i got 8 of 10 any way not baď thanx again

Salih bahr

Thanks!

hectorgastaminza

Thank you very much for your wonderful lessons, Ronnie. I find them very helpful , You are awesome The way how you teach English is very simple and easy to understand, I got 100%.

Roshina86

100/100,but I am always confused this part of english.At least I am happy not to use it at speaking.I am confused that this kind of sentences are mentioned which time in english.

mamicim9679

And what about the Past Continuous Tense? Direct speech: I was walking along the street.

paisa39

Thank s Ronney ; but , I am a littel pet cunfused about , what is the past continuaus will be changed to ? in reported speach.

modyegy

thank you very much ronnie ..this is very useful for me thanks a lot..

naga87

100/100! Wow! She helps everybody who wants to learn “reported speech”. When the video has finished, I believe you will definitely learn that.

Thank you Ronnie…

serkan170

100/100: I’m really happy!

cristina

I got 8/10~~~~

Tammy yang

thanks a lot ,ronnie

sagar bisunkhe

This web helped me a lot

Amirsafwan

Thanks teacher! I got 10/10

datnga

She ate an apple pie, or she have eaten ???

EliasBlues

I got 100/100! Thank you for the lesson

Mariam BC

Thanks a lot

tamseyda

I got 8/10 I’m making progress, thanks ronnie!

giuseppe2000

6/10 thanks maybe i will retry the lesson.

Mohanad-AK

Ronnie! thank U so much ^^ that was a helpfull lesson but Why there isn’t someone to answer back these Questions & Inquiries in comments! there must be a crew specifically for these matter!! people need help.. so do I! please!
about the first sentence “she said she ate lunch” ..could we say ” she said she had eaten lunch ” ??

Krepkiy

Yeah almost will be perfect. 90/100

Azra Ayan

Great lesson, Ronnie, thank you.

But when i report questions in the indirecta speech, how can i do?

Nunesfn

tks ronnie, 10/10 ! great !

Saluti

Thank you!

Adriana Gtz.

Thanks alot

Maria AJ

Thank you!

bunga2556

Thank you Ronnie.

Enkutatash

I got 8/10. I love your teaching any way. I will try other lesson.:)

Ramisa Nui

Thank you Ronnie! I will practice these rules for remembering. See you later.

lorenzoyoques

What about past continuous??

leilaj

Congratulation, you are the best teacher that I’ve seen here. Thank you very much for this wonderful video.

BrendYerl

10/10….it was great!

Amisha

Thank you so much. but I have two question. how can I use this reported speech in conversation? “He said that We had do it” is it correct? but I wanna tell present(stil valid fact)and future. “he said that we have to do it” and “He said that we won’t be able to do that” is it correct?

haley92

Thank you I got 100.

oshintn

thank you i got 100

basaniprathyusha

Thanks so much.

nchannett

Wow! I got perfect! Thank you Ronnie.

setsuko

He said he had given a thumbs up to Ronnie’s video on youtube.
Thanks Ronnie!

Lkinter1

7/10

ann ann

thank you

ismailenglish

thank you very much

ahmed00000

thank you rannie <3

abdrahim1996

Hey a 10 thank you :)

Samahene93

thank you

remo2015

thanks teacher this lesson i help my reported-speach

talaashyare

Hey, Ronnie Thanks ! I’m preparing for bank exams. Could you suggest me videos for the same?

Adii

Thank you Ronnie , you’re the best :)

Samion

Thanks Ronnie, I always make mistick when I wrote the reported speech before. After watching your video, I can understand the rule of the reported speech. ^^

Adiosfok

mam can you upload the video that this those there here use……….

razia praveen

this was easy to get but Ronnei even makes it funny thanks a lot!

juanga

*wasn’t

juanga

thank you ronnei

Safin.Yasin

Thank You =D

Yassine96

thankss!

petrosdm

Thank you very much

Vitaly7

Thank you Ronnie

Davmaes

Good lesson,thanks nun

Alice649092873

Wow! 10 in 10! Thanks Ronnie!

John B

Thanks ronnie ^^. :)

Jhim

Thaks a lot.

jeyde gocotano

Thanks

Vivimi

its not easy :(
thank you Ronnie <3

shushu123

hi thanks teacher

Munkhtuul.M

thanks for u message…………..

pedanaboina jhansi

Miss Ronnie thank you so much for helping me to understand this grammar ?????

Mahawoooy

Thanks so much! You are the best teacher I ever seen!!! I can learn something and I have fun, all in one!!!!
English: Please make so on!
German: Bitte mach so weiter!
;)

Tomy64

Thanks very much .

Bawan omer

100! I think: “I’m not able to do all this, to speak English fluently or to use grammar correctly” but then I realize that I have the capabilities to do whatever I want to, no matter what, if you want to do something or to learn something, all of it is up to you, we have different tools here on internet and great teachers such as Ronnie, thank you very much for this lesson Ronnie, It has helped me a lot, Kind regards from Guatemala! (I do apologize if I made a mistake on this, I’m still learning, let me know if i did it).

Luzzy502

Ronnie, thanks a lot! You are the best.

Hezrom

i got 100 score.thank you so much.

Mahesh

I have a feeling I wont do well tomorrow in my exam!

QueenBee

thank you very much!

Vasskes

nice lesson mam! thank you

Rasim01

that was a helpful lesson although it’s for beginners but I learned a lot and 80/100 was not bad cuz I just got confused something :D
best wishes ronnie

samehegypt89

thank you so much :)

Nilfa

Thank You so much! :)

komcsi

thank you ronnie

kerso

thank you ronnie :)

Saber11

Ronnie I enjoy a lot study with you. (Trust me, I don’t like study) but with you I want ?

Luz lopez

Thank you so much , I really enjoyed it!

Hazad Hassani

Thanks, one thing the most I love about your teaching is that you are not boring.

uncle eddy

Thank you very much!

Annit

Thank You! That was easier than i thought

daffitz

thanks Ronnie i have got 10 correct out of 10 that is your amazing explanation.. love u

feisal92

thanks Ronnie :)

soulancestor

10 put of 10, thanks…

Jordaly01

10 out of 10, Sorry…

Jordaly01

i need more about reported imperatives and requests think’s

kamalos16

thanks for the lesson.

CART

Excellent class, thank you very much

Parajope

Hello, thank you for your class, I hope you can help more about the past perfect

KARINACC

Many thanks!!!

brc75

teacher i need to learn more please help me

roni beltre

thanks a lot i got 100 out of 100
your teaching system is amazing!

hiwi

yeah! I got 100/100. Thank you very much.

DG.ltv

I love you Ronnie. You teach very well and you speak so clear in my ipinion. Thanks alot

JonathanPC

thank you ronnie.

mera ali

Wow so great,I got 10/10.Thank you Ronnie!

Smeykhun

Thank you Ronnie. I’m grateful to you. This lesson is perfect.

I want to give some examples;
My friend said he had practice English everyday.
She said that they caught a thief.
He said that she had heard a voice around the house in the midnight.
They said he would buy a suit for his new job.
He said they going to vacation next weekend.

byildirim

great

Reyad gamal

i got 10/10 hhhhhhh haha hahah

Reyad gamal

i got 7/10

shaalun

nice …ronnie

kanikadh

Thank you Ronnie.

sevketnedim

Thank you Ronnie, tomorrow i have a school exam about that, and you are so helpful for me. THANK YOU SO MUCH and please answer my comment, love you <3 <3

@cansucarlak

Thx Roonie and we hope so to give us more practice for advanced level as possible as you can

Mr.Oumarous

Thanks Ronnie! This helps me a lot for my speech!

Girlwholikesenglish

Good job ! Thanks.

Soei

Thanks for this great and simple-to-understand lesson!

Vijay Chawla

Thank you Ronnie for this lesson. I’m studying this subject in the school now, and it doesn’t seem easy to learn. But with this video, I have a clearer idea about Reported Speech an I got 10/10 in the test.

Gabriela97

100 thanks a lot

kaankaraaaaaaa

you’re so rock&roll…thank you i’ve loved this lesson

Desiderata

Thank you for your useful way in teaching. please, if anyone want to practice. Contact with me. my level is upper intermediate

Maryam Zaky

Oh I’ve got 10 correct out of 10. Of course I have to if I am listening to such a genius teacher. Thank you

NazilaNasirli

Thanks Ronnie!! It’s a wonderful time to watch as well as listen to your classes. Awesome method of teaching!! Best for kids!!

Nijith

Thanks Ronnie! I loved.

silenceold

thanks

ammar azaz

thanks for all <3

AbighailM

Thanks, teacher Ronnie! I got 100/100. How strange! Whenever and whatever grammar topic is been taught by you is my 100%. I like the way you teach! You’re fantastic!

Khan Moin

thanks

RFLEARN

Thanks!

GleisonCouto

thank you runnie make my lough while Iam study with you aweson runnie

Rajab1234

Hello Ronnie! I love the way you teach!

Lucilene Lima

What’s up, folks? I have just been looking for some help. This week I was learning about tenses and accidently bumped into one sentense in such tense I really don’t understand. Could please anyone give some explanation about following: “I would have had to have returned to England.”? In what tense this sentense or something about it’s structure. Thanks in advance.

Elijah Hadasevich

thanks

alhawary3obad

Oh yes I made 10 out of 10.I didn’t remeber reported speech but whith your help i remind it.thank you Ronnie

Megiqva

10/10. I understood this lesson, thanks!

Vorne

This quiz makes me really understand ‘bout the reported speech, thank you very much !

Melanni

Thank you Ronnie

jsjuban

perfect leason!

pmachado

Yeaah i got full mark

FantasticYa

Find and correct the mistakes

told me that he can’t come to school because he is ill.

(Can’t) must be (couldn’t)
Is that true or there is another mistakes?

FantasticYa

its confusing.

juzmine80

there is a mistake we don’t write this in reported speech we write or say that
and yesterday become the day before
tomorrow become the day after
last year become the year before
here become there
these become those
today become that day
tonight become that night
next year become the following year
Teacher is this comment right or no?

amoil

wow I got 10/10. It was very useful lesson. thanks.

Danush

a little confused but,got 10/10 hard…
i always surprise your perfect classes.
thanks.

dreamk7x

10 out of 10 many thanks for the great lesson ??

Helkin

Thanks

chouaib merzagui

thank you so much for the first explanation i got 80/100

ayoub irissan

Thanks Ronnie, ur the best!

JessicaTolama

thank you Ronnie for this important lesson.

sakib 1997

I was confused but…100/100 :D Thank you, Ronnie!

Muhammad Magdy

Thank you so much Ronnie!

Greetings from Brazil

And L.H.P

hello Ronnie I would to ask you about this sentence

“over half the decision you make were made suddenly”
to change it to reported speech thank you

abde97

Thank you for your incredible explanation Ronnie! After my last English class about the reported speech I’d got some questions about it, but now I think you cleared all my doubts. <3 Thanks!!

Laura-sDream

Thank you so much, you are the best teacher!!! Greetings from Ukraine :)

Dany R

thank you

Quvonchbek

great, thankyou for this lesson. I got 90/100

Luh Putri Maharani

10 correct out of 10

Vira Oktaviana

You got 9 correct out of 10.

M kartal

10/10 score. Thank you for your lesson. Cheers :D

Cathai

10/10. Thanks.Ronnie

Oyunchimeg Shagdarsuren

Everything correct:)))) thx)))

TanyaWhite

Thanks a lot for your great explanation! My results in quiz – 10/10.

TheBigPixel

Thanks a lot l realy love your explaination

Joo mostafa

Ronnie, you are the best teacher ever!
Thank you very much.

mermelada

Thanks Roonie you are awesome

Alhajajy

thank you, you said that reported speech was very confusing. But I said that it became easy when you explained that. Thanks

Mayuyita

thank you Ronnie

ANAS OUTISKTE

thank you :)

karennabreu

100/100 cool thank you Ronnie

ZoyaAstreae

Hi Ronnie, can you help me, I’m not sure if this sentence is right—— She said she would come with me as soon as she was ready.

Angelina7

big thank you
i got 80 out of 100

maisa ali

Hey ronnie it was an amazing explanation,you re so clearful and funny with your lessons that s why i watch your videos faithfully….anyway greetings from surco….