Tell or say

Tell or sayTell or sayAlex smiled when Alex smiled when

he saw the he saw the present and present and

((say/tellsay/tell) thanks.) thanks.

David (David (say/tellsay/tell) a ) a joke at a party.joke at a party.

Chris (Chris (tell/saidtell/said) us he ) us he wasn’t feeling well wasn’t feeling well and left earlier.and left earlier.

At 11.30 Sunday At 11.30 Sunday ((said/tellsaid/tell) good night ) good night

and left.and left.

Max and Joan Max and Joan ( ( said/tellsaid/tell) to me ) to me that they couldn’t that they couldn’t come to the party.come to the party.

Our focusOur focus How do we change verbs How do we change verbs in reported speech?in reported speech?

When do we need to When do we need to change the verb tense in change the verb tense in reported statement?reported statement?

Agree subject with the verbAgree subject with the verbExample:Example:“ “ I loveI love birthday cake with birthday cake with flowers!” said the girl.flowers!” said the girl.

Reported speech:Reported speech:The girl said The girl said sheshe love lovess birthday birthday cake with flowers.cake with flowers.

When do we need to When do we need to change a verb tense?change a verb tense?

Facts or General TruthFacts or General TruthIf the speaker states the fact that is still If the speaker states the fact that is still

true at the time of reporting, then we can true at the time of reporting, then we can keep the present tense. Changing the keep the present tense. Changing the verb tense is possible but isn’t necessary. verb tense is possible but isn’t necessary.

““Birthday cake Birthday cake areare common in common in many countries,” said the baker.many countries,” said the baker.

The baker said that birthday cakes The baker said that birthday cakes areare common in many countries. common in many countries.

Facts or general truthFacts or general truth If the speaker tells about future events If the speaker tells about future events

that has yet to happen, at the time of that has yet to happen, at the time of reporting you can keep the future tense. reporting you can keep the future tense. Changing the verb tense is possible but Changing the verb tense is possible but isn’t necessary.isn’t necessary.

““Next year Next year I’llI’ll be sixteen, and be sixteen, and I’ll I’ll have a have a big party,” said John.big party,” said John.

John said that next year he’John said that next year he’llll be 16 and be 16 and he’he’llll have a big party. have a big party.

Immediate reportingImmediate reporting► If words are reported soon after If words are reported soon after

spoken, the verb tense are not spoken, the verb tense are not usually change.usually change.

““I I lovelove birthday cakes with flowers!” birthday cakes with flowers!” said the girl.said the girl.

A: What she just said?A: What she just said?B: She said she B: She said she lovesloves birthday birthday

cakes with flowers.cakes with flowers.

Reporting verb in the Present or Reporting verb in the Present or FutureFuture

► If the reporting verb is If the reporting verb is in the simple present, in the simple present, present perfect or present perfect or future tense, verb future tense, verb tenses are not change.tenses are not change.

ExampleExample► “ “ I I don’t wantdon’t want you to buy me you to buy me

anything for my birthday.”anything for my birthday.”► He He sayssays he he doesn’t wantdoesn’t want us to us to

buy him anything for his buy him anything for his birthday.birthday.

►Don’t ask John what he wants Don’t ask John what he wants for his birthday. Hefor his birthday. He’ll say’ll say he he doesn’t wantdoesn’t want you to buy him you to buy him anything for his birthday.anything for his birthday.

Informal EnglishInformal English►In In informal Englishinformal English especially in especially in conversations tenses conversations tenses usually stay the same.usually stay the same.