B1 · Lesson 18 · 20 min
Reporting statements
In this lesson
- I can report what someone said in another conversation.
- I can choose say or tell and make suitable pronoun and time changes.
Grammar in context
On Monday, Aisha’s manager said, “I will send the dates tomorrow.” On Wednesday, Aisha told Ben about that conversation: “The manager said on Monday that she would send the dates the next day.” Here, the next day means Tuesday, the day after the manager spoke.
How do I, will and tomorrow change in Aisha’s report? Which day do both tomorrow and the next day refer to?
Reporting a statement later
We often report somebody’s words instead of repeating the exact sentence. After say, we can use a clause with that; that is optional in everyday English. When the reporting happens later, we often backshift the verb: present simple becomes past simple, and will becomes would. Backshift is common when the original words belong to an earlier situation.
- Nico said, “I need a break.” Later, Maya said (that) Nico needed a break.
- The guide said, “The museum will close at six.” Later, we reported that it would close at six.
Say and tell
Use say when you mention the words or message. Do not normally put a person directly after say; use say something to somebody if needed. Use tell when you name the receiver of the information: tell somebody something. Both verbs can introduce reported statements, but their patterns are different.
- Lena said that the café was full.
- Lena told her brother that the café was full.
Changing viewpoint and time
Change pronouns to match the speaker. Keep the original meaning of time words. Yesterday can become the day before, meaning before the original speech; tomorrow can become the next day, meaning after it. A weekday or date can make the time clearer. Do not move an event to a different day just because you report it later.
- On Friday, Omar said, “I finished yesterday.” Reporting on Saturday: Omar said on Friday that he had finished on Thursday.
- Eva said on Tuesday, “I’ll call tomorrow.” Reporting on Thursday: Eva said on Tuesday that she would call the next day, Wednesday.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
She said me that the bus was late.
Use
She told me that the bus was late.
Use tell before a person. Say does not take a person directly after it.
Avoid
On Friday, Dan reported, “I will visit you tomorrow.” On Saturday, we said that he would visit us tomorrow.
Use
On Friday, Dan reported, “I will visit you tomorrow.” On Saturday, we said that he would visit us that day.
Tomorrow in Dan’s Friday words refers to Saturday, which is that day when we report it on Saturday.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.