Reported Speech
When you repeat what someone else said, the tense moves one step back (says → said, will → would, can → could). Time and place markers also shift, like 'today' → 'that day' and 'here' → 'there'.
The rule
When you report what someone said, move the verb one step into the past. Pronouns and time/place words also shift to fit the new perspective.
Explained
Reported (or indirect) speech is how you tell someone what another person said. The main change is that every tense moves one step into the past. You also adjust pronouns and time references to match the new speaker's perspective. Once you know that one-step-back pattern, reporting any conversation becomes automatic.
Examples
| English | In Hindi |
|---|---|
| She said that she was tired. | उसने कहा कि वह थकी हुई है। |
| He told me he would call later. | उसने मुझे बताया कि वो बाद में कॉल करेगा। |
| Ravi said he could help me. | रवि ने कहा कि वो मेरी मदद कर सकता है। |
| She said she had already eaten. | उसने कहा कि उसने पहले ही खा लिया था। |
| The doctor told me to rest for three days. | डॉक्टर ने मुझसे तीन दिन आराम करने को कहा। |
| She asked where I was going. | उसने पूछा कि मैं कहाँ जा रही हूँ। |
| He said that day had been very hot. | उसने कहा कि वो दिन बहुत गरम था। |
| Priya said she would join us the next day. | प्रिया ने कहा कि वो अगले दिन हमारे साथ शामिल होगी। |
| Mom asked me to come home early. | माँ ने मुझसे जल्दी घर आने को कहा। |
| He told her that he loved Indian food. | उसने उसे बताया कि उसे भारतीय खाना बहुत पसंद है। |
Common mistakes
She said me that she is busy.
She told me that she was busy.
Two mistakes at once: 'said me' is wrong — after 'said' use 'to me', or just use 'told me'. And 'is' → 'was', one step into the past.
He said he will come tomorrow.
He said he would come the next day.
In reported speech, 'will' → 'would' and 'tomorrow' → 'the next day' (since 'tomorrow' is now relative). Move both one step back.
She asked me where I am going.
She asked me where I was going.
The tense moves one step back after 'asked' too. 'Am' → 'was'.
Ravi told that he is coming.
Ravi told me that he was coming.
'Told' must always be followed by an object (me, her, us). After 'said', the object is optional ('he said that...').
Practise
1. She said, 'I am tired.' → She said that she ___ tired.
- is
- was
- has been
- will be
Show the answer
was
2. He said, 'I will help you.' → He said that he ___ help me.
- will
- would
- could
- had
Show the answer
would
3. Direct: 'I can swim.' → Reported: 'She said she ___ swim.'
- can
- could
- will
- may
Show the answer
could
Related lessons
- The 12 TensesMaster all 12 English tenses with Hindi comparison
- ConnectorsLink ideas naturally — and, but, because, although
- Articles & Prepositionsa, an, the and the tricky little words
- Modal Verbscan, could, should, must, would — used right
Practise this with Vaani
Reading a rule is half of it. Vaani, BolFluent's AI tutor, lets you speak it out loud and corrects you on the spot — in a real conversation.
Try a free call with Vaani