Reported Speech Statements

Welcome to lesson 7 of B1. Today we're going to work on reported speech: statements.

By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to report what another person said with more confidence.

Let's start with the main idea. English becomes much easier when you learn complete patterns instead of translating one word at a time. Listen to these examples and notice how the structure works in context.

She said she was tired. He told me he needed help. They said they would arrive later.

Now say the examples again slowly. Focus on the part of the sentence that changes. Then try to create one new example about your own life.

Here's an important point to remember. Backshift is common when reporting past speech, especially in formal or neutral narration.

Let's do a quick practice. Pause for a moment after each prompt and answer out loud.

First: make one sentence about yourself using today's language.
Second: make the same idea negative, if that is possible.
Third: turn one example into a question or a different situation.
Fourth: create one sentence about another person.

Don't worry if your answer is not perfect. The goal is to produce English actively, not only recognize it.

Now listen once more to the model language: She said she was tired. He told me he needed help. They said they would arrive later.

Before we finish, say one original sentence without looking at the examples. If you can do that, you're already turning the lesson into active English.

Great work. Review today's examples, practice them aloud, and continue to the next lesson when you're ready.