By the end of this exercise, you can report what people said — with the correct backshift, asked if for yes/no questions, and told me (not) to for commands.
Practise English reported speech interactively: statements, questions and commands with backshift — reading, gap-fill and a writing task. Free, no sign-up.
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Read the text and choose the correct reported form for each gap.
This question is not marked - just write what comes to mind.
How it works: when you report speech, the verb usually goes one step back — "I love music" → Ben said he loved music. "I have finished" → she said she had finished.
1 Ben that he loved music more than sport.
2 Aylin said she her project the night before.
3 The twins said they a film when the teacher called.
4 Jonas said he cake for the next school party.
5 Maria said she such a boring film before.
6 And Leon said he like surveys at all.
Each quote goes one step back in time. Choose the correct reported form.
1 "I am tired," she said. → She said she tired.
2 "We will win," they said. → They said they win.
3 "I have lost my keys," he said. → He said he his keys.
4 "We are playing tonight," they said. → They said they that night.
5 "I can drive," she said. → She said she drive.
6 "We went home early," they said. → They said they home early.
7 "I must leave now," he said. → He said he leave.
8 "We may stay," they said. → They said they stay.
Reported questions use statement word order — and commands become told/asked + infinitive.
1 "Where do you live?" → She asked me where I .
2 "Do you like coffee?" → He asked me I liked coffee.
3 "Don't talk during the test!" → The teacher told us talk during the test.
4 "Please help me." → She asked me help her.
5 "Don't touch the wet paint!" → He told me touch it.
6 "When does the train leave?" → She asked when the train .
Report a real conversation.
Think of four things people said to you this week (or invent them). Write a short report (6-8 sentences) for a class blog called "Overheard This Week": report at least three statements and one question. Start like this: On Monday, my brother told me ...
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