Grammar presentation

Reported Speech Presentation

The rule in plain words, the form table, example sentences, practice with answers to reveal and a summary. Present it here, download the PPTX or print it.

Age: Ages 14+
Level: B2
Skill: Grammar
Format: On screen · PPTX · PDF

More in the library

Reported Speech

Grammar presentation

B2 · Ages 12–17 · 18+

Arrow keys or space to move, swipe on a touch screen. Answers appear on the first press, the next slide on the second. N toggles notes, F goes full screen.

Reported Speech

Grammar presentation

B2 · Ages 12–17 · 18+

How it works

Passing on what someone said or asked: She said she was tired. He asked where I lived. Backshift, pronoun changes and the word order of reported questions.

She asked me where I lived. A reported question is no longer a question: no do, and the subject comes before the verb. In Russian and Spanish the word order does not change when a question is reported, so nothing warns the learner.
He told me that he was busy. Russian «сказал мне» and Spanish «me dijo» put the person straight after the verb, so learners say said me. With a person, use tell: told me. Say needs to: said to me.
He asked me if I wanted coffee. Yes/no questions are reported with if or whether. Russian uses the particle «ли» («хочу ли я»), which has no direct English twin, so the link word goes missing.

The form

Statement	said (that) + subject + verb (one tense back)
Tell	told + person + (that)…
Wh- question	asked + wh- word + subject + verb
Yes/no question	asked + if / whether + subject + verb
Backshift	is → was · will → would · can → could · did → had done

Examples (1/2)

She said she was tired.
He told me he had already sent the invoice.
They said they would call back later.
My manager asked if I could work on Saturday.
The officer asked where I was staying.

Examples (2/2)

She asked what time the train left.
He said he didn't like working from home.
I told her I was sorry.
The doctor asked whether I smoked.
They asked us why we had left so early.

Fill the gap.

1 / 6

She said she was tired.

Fill the gap.

2 / 6

He told me he had already sent the invoice.

Fill the gap.

3 / 6

My manager asked if I could work on Saturday.

Fill the gap.

4 / 6

The officer asked where I was staying.

Fill the gap.

5 / 6

They said they would call back later.

Fill the gap.

6 / 6

I told her I was sorry.

Which is right?

1 / 3

She asked me where I lived.
She asked me where do I live.

A reported question is no longer a question: no do, and the subject comes before the verb. In Russian and Spanish the word order does not change when a question is reported, so nothing warns the learner.

Which is right?

2 / 3

He said me that he was busy.
He told me that he was busy.

Russian «сказал мне» and Spanish «me dijo» put the person straight after the verb, so learners say said me. With a person, use tell: told me. Say needs to: said to me.

Which is right?

3 / 3

He asked me if I wanted coffee.
He asked me do I want coffee.

Yes/no questions are reported with if or whether. Russian uses the particle «ли» («хочу ли я»), which has no direct English twin, so the link word goes missing.

Summary

said (that) + subject + verb (one tense back)
told + person + (that)…
asked + wh- word + subject + verb
asked + if / whether + subject + verb
is → was · will → would · can → could · did → had done

Remember

She asked me where I lived.
He told me that he was busy.
He asked me if I wanted coffee.

How to use it in class

Present it full screen Open it on the class display. The arrow keys move on, and a question slide keeps its answer for the next press, so the class can answer first.
Read the teacher notes Every slide has notes on what to say and what to ask. They come inside the PPTX as speaker notes too.
No screen? Print it Print every slide with the answers shown, one per page, or download the PPTX and open it in PowerPoint.

What's inside

How it works: the rule as you would say it to a class
Form table: positive, negative, question, short answer
Example sentences with pictures
Fill the gap and “Which is right?” practice with answers
Summary slide and teacher notes on every slide

Worksheet
Reported speech — worksheet
Put the verb in the right form, build the sentence, choose the correct one — answers at the bottom.
Lesson Plan
Reported speech
Passing on what someone said or asked: She said she was tired. He asked where I lived. Backshift, pronoun changes and the word order of reported questions.
Presentation
Gerunds and Infinitives Presentation
Gerunds and Infinitives presentation (B2) for teens and adults: the rule, a form table, 10 examples and practice with answers. Free PPTX and PDF.
Presentation
Used To and Would Presentation (Free PPT)
Used To and Would presentation (B2) for teens and adults: the rule, a form table, 10 examples and practice with answers. Free PPTX and PDF.

Reported speech — worksheet

Reported speech

Gerunds and Infinitives Presentation

Used To and Would Presentation (Free PPT)