Reported Speech Practice
Complete the exercises online or print the worksheet for offline practice.
Exercise 1: Backshift the Verb
Complete the reported sentence. When the reporting verb is in the past (said, told), the tense usually moves one step back.
"I am tired." → She said she tired.
"I work downtown." → He said he downtown.
"We are waiting for the bus." → They said they for the bus.
"I have finished the report." → She said she the report.
"I lost my keys." → He said he his keys.
"I will call you tomorrow." → She said she me the next day.
"I can help you move." → He said he me move.
"I must leave early." → She said she leave early.
Exercise 2: Change the Time and Place Words
Complete the reported sentence with the changed word: today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, yesterday → the day before, here → there, this → that.
"I'll do it tomorrow." → He said he would do it .
"I saw her yesterday." → She said she had seen her .
"I'm busy today." → He said he was busy .
"I love it here." → She said she loved it .
"This apartment is perfect." → He said apartment was perfect.
"We moved in last week." → They said they had moved in .
Exercise 3: Reporting Questions and Requests
Choose the correct reported version. Remember: reported questions use statement word order — no do/does/did, no question mark.
1."Where do you live?" she asked me.
2."Are you coming to the meeting?" he asked.
3."Please close the window," she said to him.
4."Don't be late," the manager told us.
5."What time does the store open?" I asked.
6."Can you send me the invoice?" she asked.
Exercise 4: Fix the Report
Each reported sentence has one error. Write the correct version.
She said me that she was moving to Halifax.
He told that the meeting was cancelled.
She asked me where was the nearest pharmacy.
He said he will pick me up the next day.
They asked if did we need more time.
My doctor told me to not eat before the test.
Exercise 5: Report a Real Conversation
Report speech from your own life. Check every verb for backshift and every time word for changes.
Think of a real conversation you had this week (with a coworker, a friend, or a family member). Report five things that were said, using said, told, and asked.
Report these three sentences your landlord said: "The inspection is tomorrow. I fixed the lock yesterday. Please keep the hallway clear."