What is Advanced Reported Speech in English?
Basic reported speech revolves around simply relaying what someone said using the verbs say or tell (e.g., He said he was tired). However, advanced reported speech allows writers and speakers to capture the exact tone, attitude, and context of the original speaker's message. By mastering a wider variety of reporting verbs and understanding how they interact with gerunds and infinitives, you can summarize complex conversations elegantly and accurately, elevating both your academic and professional English.
Advanced Reported Speech Structure and Formula
In advanced usage, the grammatical structure depends entirely on the specific reporting verb used. The most crucial part of mastering this topic is memorizing which verb patterns follow which reporting verbs.
1. Verbs Followed by the To-Infinitive
Used to report promises, threats, refusals, and offers.
- Formula: S + reporting verb + to + V1
- Common Verbs: promise, offer, refuse, threaten, agree, claim
- Direct: "I won't do it!"
- Reported Example: He (S) refused (reporting verb) to do (to+V1) it (O).
2. Verbs Followed by a Gerund (V-ing)
Used to report admissions, denials, suggestions, and regrets.
- Formula: S + reporting verb + V-ing + O
- Common Verbs: admit, deny, suggest, recommend, regret, recall
- Direct: "I didn't steal the money."
- Reported Example: The suspect (S) denied (reporting verb) stealing (V-ing) the money (O).
3. Verbs Followed by Object + To-Infinitive
Used to report commands, advice, warnings, and persuasion directed at a specific person.
- Formula: S + reporting verb + Object + to + V1
- Common Verbs: advise, ask, tell, order, warn, encourage, persuade, remind
- Direct: "You should study harder, Sarah."
- Reported Example: The teacher (S) advised (reporting verb) Sarah (O) to study (to+V1) harder.
- Negative Formula: S + reporting verb + Object + not to + V1
- Reported Example: They warned him not to go.
4. Verbs Followed by a Preposition + Gerund
Used to report apologies, accusations, congratulations, and blame.
- Formula: S + reporting verb + Object (optional) + preposition + V-ing
- Common Verbs: apologize for, accuse [someone] of, congratulate [someone] on, insist on, blame [someone] for
- Direct: "I'm sorry I'm late."
- Reported Example: She (S) apologized for (verb + prep) being (V-ing) late.
How to Form Indirect Questions
When reporting a question, it is no longer a question; it becomes a statement. Therefore, you must use standard subject-verb word order, not inverted word order.
- Yes/No Questions Formula: S + asked/wondered + if/whether + S2 + V2
- Direct: "Are you busy?"
- Reported Example: He asked if I (S) was (V) busy. (Do NOT say: He asked if was I busy)
- Wh-Questions Formula: S + asked + wh-word + S2 + V2
- Direct: "Where do you live?"
- Reported Example: She asked where I (S) lived (V).
How to Tell the Difference Between Backshifting and Staying Unchanged
The standard rule of reported speech is to shift the tense back one step into the past (e.g., Present Simple -> Past Simple). However, in advanced grammar, there are exceptions where the tense does not backshift.
- General Truths or Facts: If the statement is a permanent scientific fact.
- He said that water boils at 100°C.
- Situation Still True: If you are reporting something immediately or the information is still 100% current.
- She just called; she said she is stuck in traffic. (She is currently still stuck).
- Reporting Verb is in Present Tense: If the reporting verb is says instead of said.
- The government says it plans to lower taxes.
Real-life Examples of Advanced Reported Speech Usage
- News Media: "The governor denied misusing public funds."
- Professional Emails: "My manager reminded me to submit the invoice by Friday."
- Academic Writing: "The researchers claimed to have discovered a new particle."
Summary & Cheatsheet for Advanced Reported Speech
| Goal | Reporting Verb | Dual-Syntax Formula | Focus Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promises/Offers | promise, offer | S + verb + to + V1 | He promised to wait. |
| Suggesting/Denying | suggest, deny | S + verb + V-ing | She denied knowing him. |
| Advising/Warning | advise, warn | S + verb + O + to + V1 | I warned him to stop. |
| Accusations | accuse (of) | S + accuse + O + of + V-ing | They accused me of lying. |
| Questions | ask, wonder | S + ask + wh-word + S + V | I asked where he was. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I always omit "that" in reported speech?
In spoken and informal English, the word that (e.g., He said that he was tired) is frequently omitted (He said he was tired). However, in formal writing or when the reported clause is very long, it is best to keep that for grammatical clarity.
What is the difference between "He told me" and "He said me"?
"Said" is never followed directly by an indirect object pronoun (me, you, him). You must use "He told me" or "He said to me". "Told" must always have a person receiving the message (He told John).
Why do we backshift tenses in reported speech?
Backshifting (changing present to past, past to past perfect) aligns the tense of the spoken words with the time the reporting actually takes place. Since you are talking about something that happened in the past, the grammar naturally shifts backward.
When should I use "whether" instead of "if"?
Both are used for Yes/No questions. However, "whether" is considered more formal. Furthermore, you must use "whether" (not "if") when it directly precedes an infinitive (e.g., I didn't know whether to laugh or cry) or when it follows a preposition (e.g., We talked about whether we should leave).