Reported Speech 2

When You Don’t Have to Change the Verb

In reported speech you often shift the verb to the past, but you don’t always have to. If the situation is still true at the time of speaking, the present tense is fine.

• Mark said, “My new project is behind schedule.”

• Mark said that his new project is behind schedule. (It’s still behind schedule now.)

• Laura said, “I want to transfer to the London office next year.”

• Laura told me that she wants to transfer to the London office next year. (She still wants to.)

You can also shift to the past in both cases, and it is equally correct:

• Mark said that his new project was behind schedule.
• Laura told me that she wanted to transfer to the London office next year.

When You Must Use the Past

If the situation has changed or is finished, you need a past verb. You cannot keep the present because the present is no longer true.

• Tom left the meeting suddenly. He said he had to go. (not has to go — the moment is over)

You also need the past when what was said does not match reality. Imagine this:

Your colleague Rachel tells you: “Joe is off sick this week.” Later that day, you run into Joe at the office. You say:

• That’s a surprise. Rachel said you were off sick. (not you are off sick — clearly he isn’t)

Say and Tell

These two verbs follow different patterns. The rule is simple: tell needs a person after it, say does not.

Use tell + person	Use say (no person directly after)
Rachel told me that the deadline had changed.	Rachel said that the deadline had changed.
What did you tell the hiring manager?	What did you say?

Common mistakes to avoid:

Correct	Wrong
Rachel told me that …	Rachel said me that …
Rachel said that …	Rachel told that …

You can use say something to somebody:

• Anna said goodbye to the client and left. (not Anna said the client goodbye)
• What did you say to the hiring manager?

Tell / Ask Somebody to Do Something

When you report instructions or requests, use tell somebody to … or ask somebody to …

Direct speech	Reported speech
“Send the invoice today,” the manager said to me.	The manager told me to send the invoice that day.
“Don’t stay past 7 p.m.,” I said to the intern.	I told the intern not to stay past 7 p.m.
“Could you review this draft?” Yuki said to me.	Yuki asked me to review the draft.

For negatives, put not before to:

• I told him not to forward the email.

You can also use say (not) to do something, but without a person directly after say:

• The manager said to send the invoice that day. (not said me to send)
• He said not to worry about the delay.

Quick Self-Check