when did you do your homework my mother asked me

Reported Speech Exercise 2

Perfect english grammar.

• Review reported questions here
• Download this quiz in PDF here
• More reported speech exercises here

Hello! I'm Seonaid! I'm here to help you understand grammar and speak correct, fluent English.

Read more about our learning method

• Rules/Help/FAQ Help/FAQ
• Members Current visitors
• Interface Language

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• English Only

Reported speech: did/have done

• Thread starter AskLang
• Start date Aug 31, 2010

Senior Member

• Aug 31, 2010

" Have you done your homework?" My mother asked if I had done my homework. " Did you do your homeowork?" My mother asked if I had done my homework. Do statements of present perfect and simple past tense share the same tense in reported speech? Thank you in advance.  

Both are OK - reported speech goes back one tense.  

Thank you, ianmill.  

• All Lessons
• business english
• comprehension
• culture & tips
• expressions
• pronunciation

3 Grammar Rules for REPORTED SPEECH

Test your understanding of this English lesson

340 comments.

To answer at your last question: Yes I did ! thanks (9 correct out of 10) ?

Nice job! Thanks for studying with me!

Thanks elex. What a useful video!!!:-)

THANK YOU SO MUCH MR. ALEX. LESSON IS VERY GOOD. YOUR LESSON IS VERY FUNNY.

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for clicking.

Thank you very much for this concise lesson.

You’re very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Very useful lesson I got 6 out of 10

Not bad. Keep studying! :)

Yes Mr Alex, we all enjoy your videos, I´m pretty sure!! Thank you very much for this useful lesson. P.S.: nice beginning of this video XD

I’m glad you enjoyed it, super guitarist Mark Knopfler!

Very good and useful lesson

Thanks a lot for watching it.

I got 9 correct out of 10

Great job! Keep studying.

Alex asked me if I enjoyed this video. Nope, I loved it!!

Great job, Alex!!

That’s great! Thanks for checking it out!

Hi Alex, thank you so much for the lesson.

My pleasure! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

Hi Alex, your lessons are very useful.

I’m glad you enjoy them! Thanks for watching.

What do you mean when you tell «academician»? In France «académicien» means a person elected by other «académiciens». «Les académiciens» generally made university studies but it isn’t compulsory. A lecturer for me is a conference speaker. Perhaps, that word may mean an other thing. Excuse me for my curiosity. That gets to improve my English. Best regards.

Hi mclaude, which part of the lesson are you referring to?

Thanks a lot for your feedback and your great help. The question isn’t in your lessons. I asked Yagmurcamd a question about informations that he has given on himself. So, I wait his answer. Best regards. Marie-Claude

Amazing lesson thanks ?

Thanks, Manoura! I’m glad you liked it!

Hi Alex, thank you for your lesson, it was clearly. I got 10 out of 10.

“It was clear.” You can also say “It was clearly explained.”

Great job on the quiz, Victor!

I gave 10 correct answers. Thank you for the lesson

Fantastic job! Now practice the rules when you’re speaking!

I got 10 out of 10. :) Thanks Alex.

Great job! Keep on studying!

thank you very much mr Alex

Any time. I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

got 8.. both the mistakes were due to IF and THAT . Need to practice more to understand the situation better. any videos related to this would be helpful.

Could you give me more information on what you mean?

thans teacher….

“Thanks, teacher.”

As always, thanks for clicking, everyone! I hope you enjoyed the video. Don’t forget that if you want to support the website, you can donate @ engvid.com/support. This helps us to continue doing what we’re doing! Also, add me on Facebook (facebook.com/alex.engvid) and Twitter (twitter.com/alexengvid) to keep in touch. Thanks for studying with EngVid!

I would like to thank your team. i learnt lots of things from you people and trying to do IELTS in future soon. i got ten out ten marks. Hurrah!

Nice job! I’m glad we’ve been able to help you.

Thank you for the great and interesting lesson.I like it very much.Someyimes,I’m confused how to use”reported speed”but now you help me. I’ve got 9/10.I want to do better so I will listen to your lesson again and try to do it perfectly. Thank you!^-^

Nice job! Keep studying and getting better!

Nine out of ten,I thought the last one was #4, using past perfect, because the question was already in the past.

The last one doesn’t use the past perfect correctly, though. The verb form is not the past participle, which is what it should be with the past perfect.

Yep, that’s right! But that question doesn’t have a correct answer then, does it? Coz #2 uses present perfect ‘have enjoyed’ when it should be ‘had enjoyed’ in Past Perfect. And ‘this’ should be changed into ‘that’.

10 out of 10. Thanks for a great lesson!

Nice job! Keep it up!

thanks Alex

Hi i am an engineer too and my language is turkish also so i think we can improve our english together so can we be in touch i am from kirkuk and working at power plant as an electrical engineer

Any time. Thanks for watching.

thanks t Alex it’s really helpful lesson I get 9 out of 10

Great job! Keep on studying.

Thank U Alex for this lesson. Reported speech is a new topic for me. Have a nice day!

That’s good! You’re learning new things.

Have a nice day as well!

Thank you Alex it was very useful i got 10 out of 10

Nice job, Malak. Keep on studying. :)

I enjoyed this lesson as every lesson you’ve made thanks a lot my best teacher my best !

Thanks a lot, Oussouby! I really appreciate that. Have a great day.

Thank you Alex. You made very useful lesson, as always. You are perfect teacher :)

That’s very kind of you to say. Thanks a lot, Timur. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my lessons.

Thank you for yet another great lesson.Could we use the word ‘whether’,instead of ‘if’,to report yes/no questions?

Absolutely! I should have mentioned that in the lesson.

Thank you so much for the great lessons.You had a lesson about “Either or Neither” and I asked a question about something related to that lesson, could you please make some time and answer that? Thank you :)

Hi Alex, nice and useful lesson as always. But i must confess I do not like grammar. I find it a bit boring. Could you prepare a lesson on Star Wars as you did a few months ago?

Haha. That lesson took a lot of work. Maybe in the future, but not any time soon!

Yes, I did it!

Thank you for your video, your English is very clear, and I understood everything, I am very happy!!

You’ve been always providing useful lessons. I am enjoying it a lot.

That’s great to hear. Thanks for checking out my videos. :)

A great a class

Thank you very much. Have a great weekend. :)

hi Alex, Thanks you so much, your video is very helpful and I have a question, in your example:”Can you play guitar” is that correct? As I know, we always have to put “the” before an instrument so It must be” Can you play the guitar?”. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks

You can use both.

Can you play guitar? Can you play the guitar?

There is no difference in tone or formality. It’s the same with seasons.

I love spring. I love the spring.

Oh I got it, Thanks you so much ^^

Hello Can we have a converstaion on Skype??

This lesson was short but clear and so helpful. Many thanks, Alex. :)

You’re very welcome! My pleasure!

I got 9/10. thanks you, teacher !

wooowww, I got 10/10, thanks Alex for this useful lesson.

Dear Alex, i got 8 correct out of 10. But it’s a really amazing experience.. Waiting for another gem ..

I got 10/10!!! Good Lesson.

Thank you very much for the nice lesson, Alex. I have one question concerning the verb tenses: —Is Kate here? —He wanted to know if she was here? Couldn’t we use a present tense: He wants to know if she is here?

Merci Alex.

De rien. :)

Thank you very much Alex! Your teaching always is very interesting for me I appreciate it. Best Regards!

Thanks for checking out the video. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happyness was the key to life. When I went to school they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy”. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. Obviouvsly this is not a real experience of my life, it’s John Lennon’s. Thanks for your lesson Alex and take care.

That’s really great. :) Thanks for posting that!

10 out of 10 ! Good job, thanks Alex

Very clear, thank you. I wonder why Mr James speaks so fast.

That’s just his natural speech. A lot of his lessons are meant for advanced students.

Thanks Alex for a helpful lesson.!

My pleasure. Thanks for studying with me!

Thank you, Mr. Alex, your lesson is very clear.

Thanks for watching and for studying with EngVid, BigMitch!

I have got 100/100 but I need more challenging test. how can I get them?

We have other lessons that are more advanced, so I’d check those out if you’re looking for a challenge.

Thank you so much Alex

You’re very welcome. Thanks for clicking and for studying with EngVid.

Hi Alex! Thanks for this lesson, it was very educative.

“Educational.” :)

“Educational”, thanks for correcting me. Please tell me, when do I have to use educative?

“Educational” is much more common in the contexts you are probably thinking. “Educative” is possible, but not as common.

“The internet can be a wonderful educative tool.” “The book has a lot of educative uses.”

It’s a difficult distinction, but know that “educational” is the one that’s more frequently used.

I got it 9 out of 10… Thanks Alex

Great job! Keep studying!

I had had a lots difficult about reported speech in my English course, but this lesson was very good for me. thank you so much!

You’re welcome, Romulo! I’m glad I could help. It’s definitely not an easy subject.

Ohh ,really thxxx teacher i got 7 of 10 q This is a very enjoy

Not bad! Keep studying.

“This is very enjoyable.” :)

3+5 = 8 3 plus 5 (is/are) 8? 3 + 5 (make/makes) 8 Three plus five (equal/equals) eight? 3 and 5 (is/are) 8? Are the verbs (make, equal, and is/are) interchangeable? Does the plural subject take a plural verb in these example?

Some quick answers…

is makes equals is

Use the third person. :) The most common word people use is “is.” After that, “equals.” “Makes” is also used. All three are interchangeable in this context, though.

This lesson was extremely helpful!!! Thank you so much!

You’re very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks Alex.. I really learned this lesson. Your lessons is very nice.

Thanks for your feedback, rmsouza. I appreciate it!

thanks, i enjoyed it

Thanks for clicking and for studying with EngVid. :)

Excelent class!! I enjoyed

I’m really glad to hear that! Thanks for studying with me and with EngVid.

10 out of 10! Thank You Alex for lessons, I wait for your new video!

Already? Haha. You will have to wait for another two weeks. The next video is VERY different, though. I hope you like it!

Hi Alex. I liked this video a lot! It’s a very useful lesson. Thank you so much. I got 100.

Great job, Julio! Keep it up. :)

Thanks again, Alex, for your straightforward and very useful lessons!

Alex asked us if we liked this lesson and I answered yes and greeted him for one more very useful lesson. :)

Ha! Nice job, Fabio. As always, I appreciate your feedback. I hope the weather’s nice in your part of Brazil this week!

The weather is a little chill and cloudy here in the town I live, Campinas: 13 degrees celsius.

This is much better than the weather of the last saturday, when it was pouring so much that certain neighbourhoods in this city was partially destroyed — something that was never recorded before. Some imagens of this incident can be seen following this link: http://correio.rac.com.br/_conteudo/2016/06/campinas_e_rmc/431949-tempestade-deixa-rastro-de-destruicao-na-cidade.html

Excluding this ocurrence, generally the mild cold weather is welcome and interesting to drink wine and hot tea, and eat some different foods.

I hope you’re all enjoying the spring and the coming summer in Canada!

Hi, Could you please make a video about: (different vs difference) and (Clothes vs Clothing) Because I don’t know what is the different between them :(. and I search about that but I didn’t find the answer which I was looking for,so please help me And Thanx a lot :).

The basic difference between “different” and “difference” is that “different” is an adjective and “difference” is a noun. The word “different” must describe something.

You look different today. (describing YOU) You’re wearing different shoes today. (describing SHOES) I’ve been looking for a different book. (describing BOOK)

Difference must typically be used with “a” or “the” in front of it.

I don’t see the difference. She didn’t even notice the difference. There’s a difference between right and wrong.

I’ll have to think more about “clothes” and “clothing,” but I’d say “clothes” is much more commonly used, and “clothing” just sounds like it’s used in more formal situations.

I like your clothes/clothing. (“clothing” sounds possible but strange in most contexts here)

You can use clothing when talking about “A clothing store” or “the men’s/women’s clothing section” in a store.

“She has a lot of clothes/clothing.” (again, both are possible, but “clothes” just sounds more natural and used)

thank Alex for your lesson!

My pleasure. Thanks for clicking.

Hi Alex! i am loving the lessons. I am a beginner student and these lessons are helping me enough, thanks for that. I have a question about this quiz. In one of the questions, I think that is the question number five, you wrote “stop!” and after was written in the question ” he asked” us.. Would not be “he said us”???

You cannot say “He said us.” The structure is incorrect. Check out my video on “say” and “tell” for the correct form. :)

In this context, you can say…

“He told us to stop.” “He asked us to stop.” “He commanded us to stop.” “He advised us to stop.”

…and more.

Hi Alex, thank you.

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching. :)

hi alex , i am an english teacher but i need to enhance my english specially speaking , what should i do please help me please

Thank you for lesson! very easy to understand the rules.

I thank you for this very valuable workThank you

Thanks a lot, Alex. This video is pretty useful for me. Although the one is short, your explanation is so clear and methodical. What a excellent teacher you are. I enjoy watching your videos.

you are perfect

hi Alex, it is first time to watch your video but i was following this site long time, really i liked the way you are teaching and i got 100% in this quiz. good start with you lessons. thanks for giving us your valuable time

Nice job! Keep studying!

Hello Alex,

Thank you for this wonderful lesson and for helping us. Every time you are doing your best. Alex, I have one question in my mind after doing the quiz. In the question number five, you said that we can use “He asked us to stop”. Don’t we use “ask” to report yes/no questions? What I want to say is “Stop.” is not an interrogative sentence, it is an imperative. As we know, while reporting imperatives, we use verbs like “say”, “tell”, “command”, or “advise”. Could you please enlighten me about this? So I can put an end to my doubt. I look forward to your reply.

Kind Regards, Roya.

You’re right. However, a person could think a command is just a request. Think of the person asking “Could you stop, please?” instead, and you have your answer. Good question!

Thank a lot Alex

Thank you!!!! I got it!

I got 7-10 I need to take the class again!

got 10 correct out of 10! lol…

I love this lesson, thanks:)

i can develop my english skills by following your videos. Thank you, all these are so clear and understandable. have you and other teachers in engvid published any video about the word “through” ? if there is, i have been ckecked mostly but i couldn’t find.

Thanks you for this good lesson. I have done the quiz and got 10. I have a question, let me say that someone told me “was there any green pen on your desk yesterday?” In your lesson you changed the tense of verbs to past when you used “if”. so if I had a question which is already in the past. How should I report it? Shall I use the past tense or Past Perfect Tense?

My Regards Muhanand

The question should be “Was there a green pen on your desk yesterday?” When reporting the simple past, you SHOULD go to the past perfect. However, many native speakers just keep it in simple past when reporting, especially if they are reporting shortly after the original conversation.

hellO I would my message finds you well. I would be glad if you could tell me a little about the language psychology at teaching also give me a hand by expressing some english teaching methods,how a teacher/constructor could properly motivate students to talk by the way this is mehdi form iran-tehran thanks indeed I will be waitting for your response

I got 9/10 so thank you so much!

Yes Alex .. its really nice how you explain the construction of reporting form..good luck

i have done the uizz with 10 correct. Thanks for your teach.

Can you say “guitar”? it should be “the guitar” as we have learnt….

I really was wrong in this rule but now I catch the meaning thanks

Hello, what is the difference between TOP, CAP, LID as a noun ? a top of a bottle a cap of a bottle a lid of a bottle regards

Hi Alex thank you for this helpful lesson.

My friend asked if i like reported speech video , my answer is yes !

Hi Alex! Thanks for this lesson.

You got 10 correct out of 10. :D

Thank you Alex I really enjoyed this vidio.

great lesson! thank you very much indeed.

What tense should I use after “if”?

Hi Alex, I really need grammar, your lessons are helping me so much!! I have learnt with you! Thank you!!

Hello Alex, thank you very much for the video lesson. It’s really helpful and useful for me. I took the quiz and got 10 correct out of 10. Kind regards

hi , its impressive how you replied almost all the comments :) . and yes i love this website , so helpful and thank you and all your colleagues for making FREE quality videos to teach and help people round the world learn English easier ;)

i got 9 correct answers,thanks for the lesson.

actully i’m a bit confused about whether we use past partciple of the verb or just the past form in the reported sentence.

Hello alex , Thanks for teaching I really enjoyed this lesson. I got 9 correct out of 10.

Hey Alex. Thanx got 10 out of 10.

Do you understand this video? Alex asked me if I understood that video I got 10, thank you so much.

Thank u so much Alex for such a useful lesson. I got 8 out of 10

Teacher Alex asked me if I enjoyed this video by the end of the quiz and I say I did because I got it all correct. Thanks for the very important grammar topic on this. Take care ;)

My question is … as i know in reported speech the past simple change into past perfect >>> so when the question start with did that means this is past simple??????

Yes I also wonder that… I’ve been using Lingualeo.com to study English and in their reported speech lessons I’ve seen that we should change past tense to past perfect tense, isn’t it correct? Can anybody please help us with this?

Thanks a million!

Perfect, i’ve done 10/10 Thanks Alex

Hi, Alex! Thank you for this video. I have a question. Ronnie said in her video about reported speech that we should use past perfect tense if the quoted speech was in past simple, but there are not such possible answers in the 7th and 10th questions of the Quiz. Thanks a lot.

Excelent topic! Thanks Alex

This lesson is so useful and easy! I love this lesson :D

The last question asks me if I enjoyed the video. I definitely enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I answered wrong because I had thought that I should transfer tense from past to past participle, but the answer with “had enjoy” is not right, so I chose the answer B (present participle). I am sorry for my diffuse explanation. But above all, I enjoyed your lesson, Alex!. Thank you so much.

Hello Teacher! I loved this video!Congratulations! But I have a doubt in the Question 10: Direct speech Simple Past / indirect speech :Past Participle Why it didn’t change to a past participle ?

I did it well at last 10 out of 10.

Great.. Thank you sir…

I do want to practise my english speaking with someone. Is there anyone? My facebook email is : [email protected] My whatsapp number is: +923155240575 , also it’s on imo. It will be my pleasure to speak with you. Thanking you in anticipation.

OH MY GOD… I JUST GOT 10 OF10 THANK YOU ALEX~~~THE LESSON IS SO USEFUL:)))

Great! Scored 10 out 10.

Thanks for you help

I have wrong the 7 and 10 question, because in pass and i put past perfect.

I liked your lesson Alex. Thank you very much!

Dear Alex, you’re great!

Alex asked us if we enjoyed this lesson- We said yes! :) Thanks for another good lesson Alex! Wish u having a superb day!

Thanks Alex Reported Speech it was always a terrible theme for me in my course and now I can review some exercices with you… Tks.

hey Alex. I like your lesson very much. i got 8 out of 10

I got 6 correct out of 10. I’ll try more sir by the way tanks for your this lesson.

i got 90. thank you so much

Thanks a lot Alex, Regarding yes/no question, in reported speech part why you changed the present tense to past tense

Thank you teacher Alex, I enjoyed your video ?

Alex! Sorry, about the second question… I don’t understand one thing! Why did you conjugate the verb “to say” at the third person singular if “The signs” is a plural noun? I can’t really understand! “The signs says… not to park”

10/10. Thank you, Alex! Especially for “David Bowie was an alien who went back to his home planet”)) You’re a great teacher!

Excellent explanation

Thanks I enjoyed it. I got 10/10

Thanks I really enjoyed it

Thanks Alex I’ve got 8 correct!

thanks so much

Thank you so much Alex. I got 7 true out of 10. Hi from Turkey ,to you…

Excellent Lesson.. Thanks Alex..

Thank you very much, I got 100 score. I learned this lesson very well, even though I had not seen previous video. I hope that the following sentence be true.

Alex : “Subscribe this video ” Narges : Alex wanted to know if I subscribed this video .

Alex asked if I subscribe this video .

I DONT KNOW MAY BE ITS COMPLICATED SOMETHING , I CONFUSED WITH THE THREE LESSONS FOR THIS TOPIC (REPORTED SPEECH ) COULD YOU HELP ME PLEASE HOW CAN I STAR WITHOUT CONFUSING ?

Alex hi, may I ask you why in the last question the right answer was not “have enjoyed”? Thank you!

i want to ask you why in the last question the right answer was not “have enjoyed”? Thank you! because the rule is the past tense became past perfect.

hey teacher ALEX i like yuor lesson pretty much. i already clear my reported speech. well done thanks a lot

Hi,Alex. Why did you not suggest variant ”Alex asked if we had enjoyed this video” ? I think it would be more correctly. Or am I wrong ?

Thanks Alex. This is a short but very useful lesson. I got full.

Hi… Alex… Could please tell me.. where is VALEN ?

THANKS A LOT ALEX GOT 9/10 IN YOUR QUIZ AND 19/20 IN MY UNIT TEST

i have answered these question and i have finished 7/10. Thanks you teacher.

Thank you Alex, i had a prefect score.

excellent lesson 100%

Hi Alex! Thanks (9 correct out of 10). ;)

Thank you Alex!

Thanks for your lessons . They are useful! I was clearly explained. =)

I got 10/10… Thank you Alex

Hello Alex, Is it correct to use “would” when reporting a sentence whose content has yet to take place? For example I read on this week’s Economist:”Emmanuel Macron, a former economy minister in France’s Socialist government, announced that he would run for the French presidency next year (2017).” I thought that we can use “would” when something has already happened (or not) and we look back to the past: “I’ll go to the cinema tomorrow” (uttered, say, on Monday) which becomes “He said he would go to the cinema the following day” (uttered on Friday)not knowing if eventually he went or not. But in the economist example the elections haven’t yet taken place. I hope I made myself clear enough. Thanks in advance!

Hey! Ronie tought us if we converting quote in Past Simple into reporting speach we should use Past perfect. So what about question #10, why this rule did not aply here?

it seems that there is a mistake did you know this answer? he asked me if I had known the answer????

in reported speech in the quiz: did you enjoy the video? the answer is : he asked me if I had enjoyed the video and not He asked me if I enjoyed the video

is that correct??

I felt the same way, maybe. You mean the tense should be go back when we form a reported speech, right?

Alex wrote about that above answering the same question:”The question should be “Was there a green pen on your desk yesterday?” When reporting the simple past, you SHOULD go to the past perfect. However, many native speakers just keep it in simple past when reporting, especially if they are reporting shortly after the original conversation.”

thanks SIR ALEX.

Hi Alex my favourite teacher: could you expalin aq little more about the last question #10 ? it’s kinda confusing to me and seemingly other students. what I learned so far from the other engvid’s teachers tells that simple past tense turns to past perfect tense. so: Did you enjoyed? —> you enjoyed —> she had enjoyed

Alex wrote about that above answering the same question:”The question should be “Was there a green pen on your desk yesterday?” When reporting the simple past, you SHOULD go to the past perfect. However, many native speakers just keep it in simple past when reporting, especially if they are reporting shortly after the original conversation.”

Many thanks for your lesson. I enjoyed it very much!

It was a very useful lesson. … Thanks for your help ?

Good learning through great teaching!

Thanks Alex! My result is 100!

Hi! Thank you for all your lessons, Alex! It is easy to understand them.

I have a question – is it possible to say like this: Is she here? -> He wanted to know if she was there?

Is there any difference with your example? Thank you!

I think I seem to become a good student. It is very useful for me to understand. Thank you so much!

Thanks , Alex! You are the best!

That’s right.

Thank you so much for your lesson Alex.

Alex you are really the best young teacher who is can explain all details very very and again very incredible. Wish you were my teacher.You can encourage me when I listen you.

I ve done 9 correct out of 10.))))))))))) thanks Alex

i got 9/10 can u put more videos and quiz

Really really thank you mr Alix I get 7☺️ And I’m happy I did not make mastak I last question ?

10/10 thanks mr Alex for that awesome lesson.

yessss! I am a beginner but I got 10/10! Sir Alex I really enjoyed your video! that was seriously a helpful video for many…. thankyou! :D

That’s great. 9/10 :D

Wow Alex thanks I got 100% !!!!!!!!

thanks a lot Alex. I got 100%

I got 100% it’s incredible.

wow. I got a 9. Thanks, Alex.

Alex I got 10.Your amazing Alex keep it up :D

Hello Alex First of all I really enjoy your lessons and the way you teach. Could you help me. I’m stuck here:

“Did you know about that?” – it looks like past simple

I thought – “She asked me if I HAD KNOWN about that” because past simple has to be transformed into past perfect, but I didn’t find this option. Could you point me out where is my mistake?

Alex, thanks for your lesson. As usual, It is really helpful.

I have a question about the reported speech in the Y/N questions: Could I put “whether” instead of “IF”? Thus, considerating that a Y/N question give two options for answering it.

Thankyou Alex!!!

Thank you Alex!!! Amazing explanation!

In the near past, I didn´t answer correct the reported speech, now I got it.

Hi Alex, I have learned about reported speech before. But I was confused when I watched your video because my teacher said that I needed to change “here” to “there” in reported speech. Can you give a complete explanation? Thank you so much.

10 out of 10 :) a top class teacher !! i wish i had bumped into you long time ago :)

I got 10 correct out of 10! Thanks a bunch Alex!

I would also like to ask you for a brief explanation when to use ” to + infinite verb ” and ” to + ING verb form”. I got a little confused while taking the test. Thank you in advance!

Very simple and easy to understand! 10/10 Thank you:)

it is such an amazing video and site to study english lessons , i got 7 out 10 :( but i didn’t understand the last question which is past simple and the answer is in past perfect isn’t it? i was wondering why is if we enjoyed this video instead if we had enjoyed thus video? many thanks

Thank you for this lesson. I would like to know if i could change ” IF ” for “WHETHER” in the YES/NO questions.

I could answer 10 questions right) Thank you)

I could answer 7/10. I am going to try more.

I studied this long time ago but got 10 out of 10!:) Thank you for lesson, it was very usefull to remember it

Thanks I could answer 7/10 . I need to learn this leasson!

Thanks you so much Alex. The lesson was perfect as always. I could answer 10/10 :)

Nice to meet you from Japan, Alex. I’m new here, just signed up for your lesson.I got 8 of 10 on this test, which makes me happy! Thank you for your video!

I don’t understand the tense of “Yes/No Questions” with reported speech form.

I thought, to answer the question, “Did you know about that?” in the form of reported speech, “She asked me if I had known about it.” was right. However, the collect answer was, “She asked me if I knew about it.”

And the same way, at the last question, I thought, “Alex asked if we had enjoyed this video.” was the way it would be.

I’m not sure if my excuse to come across well, why we can ignore the rule, which what I understood, “to form reported speech, go one tense back from quoted speech form.”

I wish you would answer my question. Though either way, I’m looking forward to your following lessons!!

Congratulations and thank you for your useful, clear and interesting videos. I wonder why you don’t make some about Conditionals.

tnxs sir its really helpful

8 correct out of ten :(

Thank you Alex, the lessons are very useful for me who want to improve an English skill.

thanks teacher Alex i get 10 out 10

Hi Alex, your lessons are very useful and I love your lessons.Thanks

Thanks a lot! I get 10 out of 10, it´s awesome!

Hello alex i wanna thank you for for the useful lessons i get 10/10

Thank You, Alex, for helping me to understand. it is very clear because you have done very well.

I got 10/10

Where can I ask quaestions? ^^

Direct: He said, “I went there last Saturday.” Reported : He said that he had gone there the Saturday before.

Is that correct? I’m not sure how I should change ‘Last Saturday.’

Please give me a correct answer! Thanks a lot

in Quiz “Do not park.” The signs says _ it should be . the signs said ??? thank you Alex

Great lesson, great teacher! ?

good lesson alex

I got 10! Thank you Alex,you are a very good teacher.

Hello alex I have 2 question. Can you plz help in this carefully. I want to know what happend to first condition when we report it. For example if u go out in cold u catch cold.(i mean in this situation it turns to hypothetical ) And tow for fact like canada is beutiful. Thank u very much.

Hey alex in question 10 u asked : did you enjoy the video? It shouldt be. if we had enjoyed the vidoe? Cuz of did? Thanks alex

sir alex i like your teaching method and first time i understood the narration …thank sir alex and all other teacher staff who are doing this effort…

i got 9 out of 10..

Hi! Thanks for such a short and very informative update Sir. Thanks again

Thanks, Alex! You are a talented teacher. I got 10 out of 10.

Thanks Alex!I got 8 out of 10.Very useful!

Yay, I got 10 answers correct. Thanks Alex! You are one of among excellent English teachers in this world.

10/10 finally I’m learning reported speech thanks, teacher!!!

Hi I was wondering to get tested on reported speech lessons and where to click , I can’t found any link!!!!!

Thanks for the test, it was helpful I’ve got 9 of 10

hi alex thanks for your efforts and hard work i realy enjoed learning english with you

i was inquired about the sentence that says is she here? shouldnot we say he wanted to know if she was there (not here )

and second can we say whether insted of if

10 out of 10 :) It was pleasure to study with you :) Br=est regard from Poland

I´m not sure but I think there is a mistake in this exercise, if a yes/no question is in past simple (like number 10) DID YOU ENJOY THIS VIDEO? the answer must be in past perfect, or Am I wrong? let me know please¡ I think the answer is: ALEX ASKED ME IF I HAD ENJOYED THIS VIDEO.

I’m also confused. It really looks like a mistake

You said that in this class you were going to look at two very specify cases of reported speech. you also said to watch other videos before your class or to watch this lesson first.you said to study a lot of English if I wanted to improve my English.finally you said to make sure to use if when the report was a question. thanks your class was fantastic.

Sorry, second answer: “The signs says” – it is a mistake

Thank you Mr. Alex. I really enjoyed this video.

Hello, Alex.I hope you are Ok. Alex, could you tell me the right way to use the following in the indirect speech. ( When her husband came home from work, she said to him, ” Here are the Christmas cards for our friends”… What did she say? Am I right to say? She said that there were the Christmas cards for their friends or it’s better to say She gave the Christmas cards to her husband whithout using the indirect speech… Which is the best way? Thanks for helping)))

Thanks Mr.Alex. We love your English lessons

I did 9 ! Thank you!for this lesson!

Thank you for the lesson, Alex! But I have a question about the quiz. In the last sentence we don’t change the time in the second part. Why? Did you enjoy this video? Alex asked if we enjoyed this video.

Why not “Alex asked if we had enjoyed this video”?

Thank you for helping us! Your tips are great!

Hello, Thank you for your lessons. May I ask you why #10 is using past simple in reported speech (. I thought it had to be past perfect because of past simple in direct speech. The same #7 past simple in direct speech = past simple in reported speech. Thank you

10 out of 10 thank you

Hello, Alex thank you for your lesson. I have a question…. In the last question of the practice could I say “Alex asked if we have enjoyed this” instead of “Alex asked if we enjoyed this video? it would be the same? (In case there is a different could you explain me thar, please) Thank you so much

Quiz 7 and 9. Past simple (did) and present simple (do). Why answer same – knew? Why not knew and had known? Pl let me know. Please.

Quiz 2. The signs says. Why not the signs say (without s)?

I’ve got 8/10???? HOOOW?

Hi Alex, Thanks a lot for your effort and this nice lesson, I enjoyed it and I got a new information, You said if I enjoyed the lesson to tag a like in your You Tube. Sure I will do . BR.

I watched this video twice on May 27, 2021, and I took the quiz after watching it once. I got ten correct out of 10.

Hi dear Alex!Thanks for your amazing videos. I’ve got a question. May told us she wanted to get a flu shot tomorrow. I saw this sentence in my book and I was wondering why the time《tomorrow》is unchanged?? When don’t we change the time and place of indirect speeches? Thank you in advance.

Hello there ) Don`t we change Here into There in the reported speech? “is she here?” – he asked. – He asked if she was there. ??? Thank you for your super videos!

Got a perfect score. Thank you for sharing this video.

Great class dear Alex as always you’re so funny with the options… many greetings from Surco…

I got 10/10. Thank you.

I answer your last question now. Yes, of course!!! I have just done the quiz and I got 7 out of 10. Thanks for this video!

I really understand your teaching

Thanks a lot! Great class!

sir, the question 10 confused me, why don’t we use backshift for it ? it is in past simple and will be transformed to past perfect, was I right ? :( Hope that you will respond me ;((( Thanks

thanks a lot

about engVid

Learn English for free with 2060 video lessons by experienced teachers. Classes cover English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, IELTS, TOEFL, and more. Join millions of English learners worldwide who are improving every day with engVid.

• 2-Intermediate
• Uncategorized

• Privacy Policy

© 2024 LearnVid Inc.

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Reported speech: indirect speech

Indirect speech focuses more on the content of what someone said rather than their exact words. In indirect speech , the structure of the reported clause depends on whether the speaker is reporting a statement, a question or a command.

Indirect speech: reporting statements

Indirect reports of statements consist of a reporting clause and a that -clause. We often omit that , especially in informal situations:

The pilot commented that the weather had been extremely bad as the plane came in to land. (The pilot’s words were: ‘The weather was extremely bad as the plane came in to land.’ )

I told my wife I didn’t want a party on my 50th birthday. ( that -clause without that ) (or I told my wife that I didn’t want a party on my 50th birthday .)

Indirect speech: reporting questions

Reporting yes-no questions and alternative questions.

Indirect reports of yes-no questions and questions with or consist of a reporting clause and a reported clause introduced by if or whether . If is more common than whether . The reported clause is in statement form (subject + verb), not question form:

She asked if [S] [V] I was Scottish. (original yes-no question: ‘Are you Scottish?’ )

The waiter asked whether [S] we [V] wanted a table near the window. (original yes-no question: ‘Do you want a table near the window? )

He asked me if [S] [V] I had come by train or by bus. (original alternative question: ‘Did you come by train or by bus?’ )

Questions: yes-no questions ( Are you feeling cold? )

Reporting wh -questions

Indirect reports of wh -questions consist of a reporting clause, and a reported clause beginning with a wh -word ( who, what, when, where, why, how ). We don’t use a question mark:

He asked me what I wanted.

Not: He asked me what I wanted?

The reported clause is in statement form (subject + verb), not question form:

She wanted to know who [S] we [V] had invited to the party.

Not: … who had we invited …

Who , whom and what

In indirect questions with who, whom and what , the wh- word may be the subject or the object of the reported clause:

I asked them who came to meet them at the airport. ( who is the subject of came ; original question: ‘Who came to meet you at the airport?’ )

He wondered what the repairs would cost. ( what is the object of cost ; original question: ‘What will the repairs cost?’ )

She asked us what [S] we [V] were doing . (original question: ‘What are you doing?’ )

Not: She asked us what were we doing?

When , where , why and how

We also use statement word order (subject + verb) with when , where, why and how :

I asked her when [S] it [V] had happened (original question: ‘When did it happen?’ ).

Not: I asked her when had it happened?

I asked her where [S] the bus station [V] was . (original question: ‘Where is the bus station?’ )

Not: I asked her where was the bus station?

The teacher asked them how [S] they [V] wanted to do the activity . (original question: ‘How do you want to do the activity?’ )

Not: The teacher asked them how did they want to do the activity?

Questions: wh- questions

Indirect speech: reporting commands

Indirect reports of commands consist of a reporting clause, and a reported clause beginning with a to -infinitive:

The General ordered the troops to advance . (original command: ‘Advance!’ )

The chairperson told him to sit down and to stop interrupting . (original command: ‘Sit down and stop interrupting!’ )

We also use a to -infinitive clause in indirect reports with other verbs that mean wanting or getting people to do something, for example, advise, encourage, warn :

They advised me to wait till the following day. (original statement: ‘You should wait till the following day.’ )

The guard warned us not to enter the area. (original statement: ‘You must not enter the area.’ )

Verbs followed by a to -infinitive

Indirect speech: present simple reporting verb

We can use the reporting verb in the present simple in indirect speech if the original words are still true or relevant at the time of reporting, or if the report is of something someone often says or repeats:

Sheila says they’re closing the motorway tomorrow for repairs.

Henry tells me he’s thinking of getting married next year.

Rupert says dogs shouldn’t be allowed on the beach. (Rupert probably often repeats this statement.)

Newspaper headlines

We often use the present simple in newspaper headlines. It makes the reported speech more dramatic:

JUDGE TELLS REPORTER TO LEAVE COURTROOM

PRIME MINISTER SAYS FAMILIES ARE TOP PRIORITY IN TAX REFORM

Present simple ( I work )

Reported speech

Reported speech: direct speech

Indirect speech: past continuous reporting verb

In indirect speech, we can use the past continuous form of the reporting verb (usually say or tell ). This happens mostly in conversation, when the speaker wants to focus on the content of the report, usually because it is interesting news or important information, or because it is a new topic in the conversation:

Rory was telling me the big cinema in James Street is going to close down. Is that true?

Alex was saying that book sales have gone up a lot this year thanks to the Internet.

‘Backshift’ refers to the changes we make to the original verbs in indirect speech because time has passed between the moment of speaking and the time of the report.

In these examples, the present ( am ) has become the past ( was ), the future ( will ) has become the future-in-the-past ( would ) and the past ( happened ) has become the past perfect ( had happened ). The tenses have ‘shifted’ or ‘moved back’ in time.

The past perfect does not shift back; it stays the same:

Modal verbs

Some, but not all, modal verbs ‘shift back’ in time and change in indirect speech.

We can use a perfect form with have + - ed form after modal verbs, especially where the report looks back to a hypothetical event in the past:

He said the noise might have been the postman delivering letters. (original statement: ‘The noise might be the postman delivering letters.’ )

He said he would have helped us if we’d needed a volunteer. (original statement: ‘I’ll help you if you need a volunteer’ or ‘I’d help you if you needed a volunteer.’ )

Used to and ought to do not change in indirect speech:

She said she used to live in Oxford. (original statement: ‘I used to live in Oxford.’ )

The guard warned us that we ought to leave immediately. (original statement: ‘You ought to leave immediately.’ )

No backshift

We don’t need to change the tense in indirect speech if what a person said is still true or relevant or has not happened yet. This often happens when someone talks about the future, or when someone uses the present simple, present continuous or present perfect in their original words:

He told me his brother works for an Italian company. (It is still true that his brother works for an Italian company.)

She said she ’s getting married next year. (For the speakers, the time at the moment of speaking is ‘this year’.)

He said he ’s finished painting the door. (He probably said it just a short time ago.)

She promised she ’ll help us. (The promise applies to the future.)

Indirect speech: changes to pronouns

Changes to personal pronouns in indirect reports depend on whether the person reporting the speech and the person(s) who said the original words are the same or different.

Indirect speech: changes to adverbs and demonstratives

We often change demonstratives ( this, that ) and adverbs of time and place ( now, here, today , etc.) because indirect speech happens at a later time than the original speech, and perhaps in a different place.

Typical changes to demonstratives, adverbs and adverbial expressions

Indirect speech: typical errors.

The word order in indirect reports of wh- questions is the same as statement word order (subject + verb), not question word order:

She always asks me where [S] [V] I am going .

Not: She always asks me where am I going .

We don’t use a question mark when reporting wh- questions:

I asked him what he was doing.

Not: I asked him what he was doing?

Word of the Day

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

a computer program designed to have a conversation with a human being, usually over the internet

Searching out and tracking down: talking about finding or discovering things

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists

To add ${headword} to a word list please sign up or log in.

Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

English Grammar Here

Direct and Indirect Speech Example Sentences

Related Posts

Regular Verbs, Definition and Examples

English Modals in Past, Using Modals in Past Tense

Common English Slangs

About the author.

Reported Questions

Reported questions are one form of reported speech .

We usually introduce reported questions with the verb "ask":

• He asked (me) if / whether ... (YES/NO questions)
• He asked (me) why / when / where / what / how ... (question-word questions)

As with reported statements , we may need to change pronouns and tense (backshift) as well as time and place in reported questions.

But we also need to change the word order . After we report a question, it is no longer a question (and in writing there is no question mark). The word order is like that of a normal statement (subject-verb-object).

Reported YES/NO questions

We introduce reported YES/NO questions with ask + if :

Note that in the above example the reported question has no auxiliary "do". But there is pronoun change and backshift.

Note that we sometimes use "whether" instead of "if". The meaning is the same. "Whether" is a little more formal and more usual in writing:

• They asked us if we wanted lunch.
• They asked us whether we wanted lunch.

Reported question-word questions

We introduce reported question-word questions with ask + question word :

Note that in the above example the reported question has no auxiliary "do". But there is pronoun change and backshift.

• YES/NO questions: Do you want tea?
• Question Word questions: Where did you drink tea?
• Choice questions: Do you prefer tea or coffee?

Look at these example sentences:

Exercise on Reported Speech

Questions - exercise 1.

Complete the sentences in reported speech. Note the change of pronouns and tenses.

• "Where is my umbrella?" she asked. → She asked
• "How are you?" Martin asked us. → Martin asked us
• He asked, "Do I have to do it?" → He asked
• "Where have you been?" the mother asked her daughter. → The mother asked her daughter
• "Which dress do you like best?" she asked her boyfriend. → She asked her boyfriend
• "What are they doing?" she asked. → She wanted to know
• "Are you going to the cinema?" he asked me. → He wanted to know
• The teacher asked, "Who speaks English?" → The teacher wanted to know
• "How do you know that?" she asked me. → She asked me
• "Has Caron talked to Kevin?" my friend asked me. → My friend asked me

100 Examples of direct and indirect speech

Direct Speech:- Direct speech is a report of the exact words used by a speaker or writer. Direct speech is usually placed inside quotation marks and accompanied by a reporting verb, signal phrase, or quotative frame.

Indirect Speech:- Transferring the sentence that someone else says is called indirect speech. It is also called reported speech.

Learn more about Words Coach: Vocabulary Application.

Active Voice and Passive Voice

100+ Examples of direct and indirect speech

Direct: What are you doing? Indirect: He asked me what I was doing.

Direct: Today is nice, said George. Indirect: George said that day was nice.

Direct: Listen to me! Indirect: Mother told me to listen to him.

Direct: She said, “I went to the shopping center.” Indirect: She said that she had gone to the shopping center.

Direct: Why are you going to school? Indirect: Mary asked Alex why he was going to school.

Direct: I often have a big meat. Indirect: My son says that he often has a big hamburger.

Direct: He said, “I will wash my teeth”. Indirect: He said he would wash his teeth.

Direct: He said, “I live in the city center.” Indirect: He said he lived in the city center.

Direct: The butcher told us, “We are closing at 7 o’clock.” Indirect: The butcher told us that we were closing at 7 o’clock.

Direct: He asked her, “How often do you work?” Indirect: He asked her how often she worked.

Direct: I don’t understand you. Indirect: Teacher said that he didn’t understand me.

Direct: He works in a bank. Indirect: She said that he worked in a bank.

Direct: He said “I had lived in Paris.” Indirect: He said that she had lived in Paris.

Direct: Must I do the city? Indirect: My sister asked if she had to do the city.

Direct: He said, “I can swim.” Indirect: He said he could swim.

Direct: I’m angry with you. Indirect: My mother said she was angry with me.

Direct: My father is helping me study. Indirect: He said his father was helping his study.

Direct: I didn’t go to the party. Indirect: Alex said that he hadn’t gone to the party.

Direct: Dance with me! Indirect: Maria told me to dance with her.

Direct: I can help you tomorrow. Indirect: She said that she could help me tomorrow.

Direct: Michael asked Tom, “Are you married?” Indirect: Michael asked Tom whether she was married.

Direct: Please wash your hands! Indirect: My father told me to wash my hands.

Direct: Don’t smoke! Indirect: The teacher told us not to smoke.

Direct: I write poems. Indirect: He says that he writes poems.

Direct: She said: “I would buy new house if I were rich”. Indirect: She said that she would buy new house if she had been rich”.

Direct: May I go out? Indirect: She wanted to know if she might go out.

Direct: She is American, she said. Indirect: She said she was American.

Direct: My son, do the exercise.“ Indirect: She told her son to do the exercise.

Direct: I don’t know what to do. Indirect: Samuel added that he didn’t know what to do.

Direct: I am reading a book, he explained. Indirect: He explained that he was reading a book.

Direct: My father said, “I am cooking dinner.” Indirect: My father said he was cooking dinner.

Direct: I said, “He is driving a car” Indirect: I said that he was driving a car.

Direct: I am a doctor he said. Indirect: He said he was a doctor.

Direct: My sister said, “I had already eaten.” Indirect: My sister said she had already eaten.

Direct: I could swim when I was four. Indirect: He said he could swim when he was four.

Direct: George is said, “I write a letter”. Indirect: George is said that she wrote a letter.

Direct: I should call my mother. Indirect: He said he should call her mother.

Direct: I like ice cream. Indirect: He said that he liked ice cream.

Direct: Michael said, “I may go there.’ Indirect: Michael says that she may go there.

Direct: I’II see you later. Indirect: He said he would see me later.

Direct: My boyfriend asked, “Do you like horror films?” Indirect: Do you like horror films? my boyfriend asked.

Direct: I might be late. Indirect: He said he might be late.

Direct: We can´t go the zoo next week. Indirect: They said they couldn’t go to the zoo next week.

Direct: I never get up late, my mother said. Indirect: My mother said that she never got up late.

Direct: He said, “I was teaching earlier.” Indirect: He said he had been teaching earlier.

Direct: Mary said, “I have been writing this essay.” Indirect: Mary said that he had been writing that essay.

Direct: I could swim when I was five. Indirect: My girl friend said (that) she could swim when she was five.

Direct: She said, “I might come early.” Indirect: She said she might come early.

Direct: Michael was ill. Indirect: Michael’s father said (that) Michael had been ill.

Direct: I am leaving home now.” Indirect: He said that he left home then.

Direct: Are you living here? Indirect: He asked me if I was living here.

Direct: I’m going to come. Indirect: She said that she was going to come.

Direct: We can communicate smoothly. Indirect: They said that they could communicate smothly.

Direct: My mother isn’t very well. Indirect: She said that her mother wasn’t very well.

Direct: I need help with my work. Indirect: George said “I need help with my homework.”

Direct: I was walking along the Street. Indirect: He said he had been walking along the Street.

Direct: I haven’t seen George recently. Indirect: She said that she hadn’t seen George recently.

Direct: I would help, but… Indirect: He said he would help but…

Direct: I’m waiting for Michael, she said. Indirect: She said (that) she was waiting for Michael”.

Direct: My parents are very well. Indirect: Alex said that his parents were very well.

Direct: I bought a car. Indirect: He said he bought a car.

Direct: They said, “They have taken exercise.” Indirect: They said that they had taken exercise.

Direct: I am living in Paris. Indirect: He said that he was living in Paris.

Direct: Please don’t be late. Indirect: He asked their not to be late.

Direct: She said; “The exam is difficult. Indirect: She said the test was difficult.

Direct: I can speak perfect Spanish. Indirect: He said he could speak perfect Spanish.

Direct: I haven’t seen Mary. Indirect: He said he hadn’t seen Mary.

Direct: What is your name? she asked me. Indirect: She asked me what my name was.

Direct: I was sleeping when Mary called. Indirect: He said that he had been sleeping when Mary called.

Direct: Please help me! Indirect: He asked me to help his.

Direct: I’m living in Texas now. Indirect: Her father said that he was living in London now.

Direct: “I’ve found a new job,” my mother said. Indirect: My mother said that she had found a new job.

Direct: Go to bed! mother said to the children. Indirect: Mother told the children to go to bed.

Direct: Mark arrived on Sunday, he said. Indirect: He said that Mark had arrived on Sunday.

Direct: I will study”, Mary said. Indirect: I will study”, said Mary.

Direct: The Minister said, “There will be no growth this year.” Indirect: The Minister said that there will be no growth this year.

Direct: I have been to France, she told me. Indirect: She told me that she had been to France.

Direct: She says, “I am ill.” Indirect: She says that she is ill.

Direct: Michael said, “I have finished my lunch.” Indirect: She said that she had finished his lunch.

Direct: I’m sitting on the chair. Indirect: Arya said that she was sitting on the chair.

Direct: My brother said, “I met Alex yesterday.’ Indirect: My brother said that he had met Alex yesterday.

Direct: The dentist said, “Your father doesn’t need an operation.” Indirect: Dentist said that my father doesn’t need an operation.

Direct: He said, “Man is mortal.” Indirect: He said that man is mortal.

Direct: He said, “I like coffee.” Indirect: He said (that) he likes coffee.

Direct: Sansa said “I am very busy now”. Indirect: Sansa said that she was very busy then.

Direct: Everything is going fine. Indirect: The news says that everything is going fine.

Direct: I had taken Spanish lessons before. Indirect: He said he had taken Spanish lessons before.

Direct: Come at 11! Indirect: Alex told me to come at 11.

Direct: He said, “I am a football player.” Indirect: He said that he was a football player.

Direct: My father was born in 1962. Indirect: My father told us that he was born in 1962.

Direct: It is too late. Indirect: I said it was too late.

Direct: Did you do your homework? Indirect: He asked me if I did (had done) my homework.

Direct: I often enjoy myself. Indirect: Mary will say that that she often enjoys herself.

Direct: He said, “he is listening to the music” Indirect: He said that he was listening to the music.

Direct: She said, “I’ve missed my train.” Indirect: She said that she’d missed her train.

Direct: Please help me carry this! Indirect: My mother asked me to help her carry that.

Direct: Michael said, “I will buy a new car.” Indirect: Michael said that she will buy a new car.

Direct: Mercedes is a good car. Indirect: Tom said Mercedes was a good car.

Direct: I’m sorry for the accident. Indirect: Georger told Samuel (that) he was sorry for the accident.

Direct: Mark said, “Bill needs a pencil.” Indirect: Mark said that Bill needed a pencil.

Related Posts:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Download the Word coach App on your Android phone

Word Coach - IELTS and GRE Vocabulary Builder & word coach Quiz (10 Words a Day) application helps, you and your friends to improve English Vocabulary and help you become the smartest among your group.

GrammarSimple.Com

100 examples of direct and indirect speech

Table of Contents

Direct And Indirect Speech Examples

While using English, we use direct and indirect speeches quite often. If a sentence is expressed exactly as it came out of the mouth of the person who said it, it becomes a direct speech. However Indirect Speech (also called reported speech) refers to transmitting a sentence that someone has said. It is often used in daily language.

For example,

• Susan told me she ate pizza yesterday. (Indirect Speech)

Susan said, “I ate pizza yesterday.”. (Direct Speech)

• Mathilda told me she had to go out. (Indirect Speech)

Mathilda said: “I have to go out.”. (Direct Speech)

• Julie asked if the train had left when she arrived at the ticket office. (Indirect Speech)

Julie asked: “Did the train leave?” (Direct Speech)

100 Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech

Related posts.

10 uses of quotation marks

Question Words and Example Sentences

Interjection and Meanings

About the author.

Learn Vocabulary

Learn English Vocabulary Through Pictures with 150 Topics

Vocabulary Exercises A1

English Vocabulary Exercises for A1 with Answers.

Vocabulary Exercises A2

English Vocabulary Exercises for A2 with Answers.

Vocabulary Exercises B1

English Vocabulary Exercises for B1 with Answers.

Vocabulary Exercises B2

English Vocabulary Exercises for B2 with Answers.

FULL Grammar Exercises

FULL English Grammar Exercises with Answers

Verbs and Tenses Exercises

English Verbs and Tenses Exercises with Answers and Explanations

Grammar Exercises A1

English Grammar Exercises for A1 with Answers

Grammar Exercises A2

English Grammar Exercises for A2 with Answers

Grammar Exercises B1

English Grammar Exercises for B1 with Answers

Grammar Exercises B2

English Grammar Exercises for B2 with Answers

Listening Exercises Beginner

English Listening Exercises for Beginner with Answers

Listening Exercises A1

English Listening Exercises for A1 with Answers

Listening Exercises A2

English Listening Exercises for A2 with Answers

Listening Exercises B1

English Listening Exercises for B1 with Answers

Listening Exercises B2

English Listening Exercises for B2 with Answers

Listening Tests A1

Practice Listening Tests for A1 with Answers & Transcripts

Listening Tests A2

Practice Listening Tests for A2 with Answers & Transcripts

Listening Tests B1

Practice Listening Tests for B1 with Answers & Transcripts

Listening Tests B2

Practice Listening Tests for B2 with Answers & Transcripts

Word Skills Exercises A1

English Word Skills Exercises for A1 with Answers

Word Skills Exercises A2

English Word Skills Exercises for A2 with Answers

Word Skills Exercises B1

English Word Skills Exercises for B1 with Answers

Word Skills Exercises B2

English Word Skills Exercises for B2 with Answers

Reading Exercises Beginner

English Reading Exercises for Beginner with Answers

Reading Exercises A1

English Reading Exercises for A1 with Answers

Reading ExercisesC A2

English Reading Exercises for A2 with Answers

Reading Exercises B1

English Reading Exercises for B1 with Answers

Reading Exercises B2

English Reading Exercises for B2 with Answers

Speaking Exercises A1

English Speaking Exercises for A1 with Answers

Speaking Exercises A2

English Speaking Exercises for A2 with Answers

Speaking Exercises B1

English Speaking Exercises for B1 with Answers

Speaking Exercises B2

English Speaking Exercises for B2 with Answers

Writing Exercises A1

English Writing Exercises for A1 with Answers

Writing Exercises A2

English Writing Exercises for A2 with Answers

Writing Exercises B1

English Writing Exercises for B1 with Answers

Writing Exercises B2

English Writing Exercises for B2 with Answers

Business Listening A1

Business English Listening Exercises for A1 with Answers

Business Listening A2

Business English Listening Exercises for A2 with Answers

Business Listening B1

Business English Listening Exercises for B1 with Answers

Article Level 1

Improve your ability to speak English

Article Level 2

Article level 3, article level 4, conversations.

Listening Practice Through Dictation with Transcripts

English Grammar Exercises for B1- Reported questions

English Grammar Exercises for B1

1. Order the words to make reported questions. Then write the questions as direct speech.

1   I / me / old / she asked / was / how

      She asked me how old I was. ‘How old are you?’

2   what / he asked / were / them / they / doing

      …………………………………………..

3   afraid / you / you / were / I asked / if

4   was / her / mum / why / she / we asked / angry

5   happening / I asked / what / him / was

6   where / would / me / stay / he asked / I

7   if / they asked / help / I / could / them

8   if / been / had / me / they asked / I / skiing / ever

9   how / we asked / spent / money / him / he’d / much

      …………………………………………..

2    He asked them what they were doing. –‘What are you doing?’

3    I asked you if you were afraid. – ‘Are you afraid?’

4   We asked her why her mum was angry. – ‘Why is your mum angry?’

5    I asked him what was happening. – ‘What is happening?’

6   He asked me where I would stay. – ‘Where will you stay?’

7    They asked if I could help them. – ‘Can you help us?’

8   They asked me if I had ever been skiing. – ‘Have you ever been skiing?’

9    We asked him how much money he’d spent. – ‘How much money did you spend?’

2. Listen to the direct speech and complete the reported questions..

1   He asked her ………………………….. for dinner.

2   She asked him ………………………….. on Sundays.

3   He asked her ………………………….. the new Chinese restaurant.

4   She asked him ………………………….. heavily.

5   He asked her ………………………….. into town.

1   where she wanted to go

2   what time the Italian restaurant opened

3   if she had tried

4   if it was still raining

5   if her brother would give them a lift

Man    Where do you want to go for dinner?

Woman    I fancy a pizza.

Woman    What time does the Italian restaurant open on Sundays?

Man    I’m not sure. Six o’clock, I think.

Man    Have you tried the new Chinese restaurant?

Woman    No, I haven’t. I’m not a big fan of Chinese food.

Woman    Is it still raining heavily?

Man    No, it isn’t. It’s much lighter now.

Man    Will your brother give us a lift into town?

Woman    Yes, he might. He usually does.

3. Rewrite the direct speech as reported questions.

1   ‘What are you doing?’ Jake asked his sister.

2   ‘Have you washed my jeans?’ Poppy asked her mum.

3   ‘When did you finish your homework?’ my friend asked me.

4   ‘Is it still raining?’ Freddie asked Luke.

5   ‘Can you play the saxophone?’ Nadia asked me.

6   ‘When will you give me back my laptop?’ my dad asked my sister.

1    Jake asked his sister what she was doing.

2    Poppy asked her mum if she had washed her jeans.

3    My friend asked me when I had finished my homework.

4    Freddie asked Luke if it was still raining.

5    Nadia asked me if I could play the saxophone.

6    My dad asked my sister when she would give him back his laptop.

4. Underline a mistake in each reported question. Then write the reported questions correctly.

1   She asked them why they are being so noisy.

2   I asked her how she had hurt yourself.

3   We asked them they wanted to travel with us.

4   He asked me what was I listening to.

5   They asked if who had told him the secret.

6   She asked him why he had phoned her yesterday.

7   I asked her that if she knew what was happening.

8   I asked him how many brothers had he.

1    She asked them why they were being so noisy.

2    I asked her how she had hurt herself.

3    We asked them if / why they wanted to travel with us.

4    He asked me what I was listening to.

5    They asked who had told him the secret.

6    She asked him why he had phoned her the day before.

7    I asked her if she knew what was happening.

8    I asked him how many brothers he had.

5. Read the dialogue. Then complete the text below with reported statements and questions.

Zac      Do you know Lily’s email address? I want to invite her to my birthday party.

Ellie     It’s in my address book. I’ll look in a minute.

Zac      What are you doing?

Ellie     I’m looking something up on the internet.

Zac       What do you need to find out?

Ellie     It’s a secret.

Zac      Can you give me a clue?

Ellie     I don’t want to spoil the surprise!

Zac asked Ellie if 1 ……………………………… address. He said that he 2 ……………………………… to his birthday party. Ellie said 3 ……………………………… address book. She said 4 ……………………………… in a minute. Zac asked Ellie 5 ……………………………… . Ellie said that 6 ……………………………… on the internet. Zac asked her 7 ……………………………… . Ellie said that 8 ……………………………… . Zac asked Ellie 9 ……………………………… a clue. Ellie said that 10 ……………………………… the surprise.

1    she knew Lily’s email      2   wanted to invite her

3   (that) it was in her      4   (that) she would look

5    what she was doing      6    she was looking something up

7    what she needed to find out      8   it was a secret

9    if she could give him      10   she didn’t want to spoil

6. Complete the reported questions.

1   ‘Do you have a signal?’

      My friend asked ………………………………………..

2   ‘How much credit would you like?’

      The assistant asked her ………………………………………..

3   ‘Have you switched off your phones?’

       The examiner asked us ………………………………………..

4   ‘Did you have a good time yesterday?’

       My mum asked ………………………………………..

5   ‘Where did you leave my tablet?’

       Kate asked me ………………………………………..

6   ‘When will you have finished the book?’

       I asked Jack ………………………………………..

7   ‘What are you doing tonight?’

      Amy asked Mark ………………………………………..

8   ‘Can I call you back this evening?’

      Holly’s boyfriend asked ………………………………………..     

1    (me) if I had a signal

2   how much credit she would like

3   if we had switched off our phones

4    (me) if I had had a good time the day before

5    where I had left her tablet

6   when he would have finished the book

7    what he was doing that night

8   (her) if he could call her back that evening

Related Posts

• Practice Listening English Exercises for B1 – Time out
• English Grammar Exercises for B1- Determiners: all, each, every, few, little, etc.
• English Grammar Exercises for B1- Participle clauses
• English Grammar Exercises for B1- Third conditional
• English Grammar Exercises for B1- have something done
• English Grammar Exercises for B1 – Indefinite pronouns: some-, any-, no-, every-

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

----------------------------------------

Study Better with The Help of AI

ChatPDF – Chat with any PDF

Quizgecko – Make a Test

Download World Class eBooks

Pin It on Pinterest

• Elementary School
• Reading & Speaking
• External Independent Testing
• Grammar Exercises

Change to Reported Speech

Grammar Time: Reported Speech

Revise how to change the direct speech into reported speech ..

We often change to reported speech when we tell someone what another person said.

Exam in Mind Level A2/B1

Task 1. change to reported speech..

• The teacher said, “You can’t leave the room!” – The teacher ordered us …
• Mom told me, “Don’t spend too much money on clothes”. – Mom warned me …
• I said to her, “Speak more slowly!” – I told her …
• The doctor said, “You mustn’t eat any sweets.” – The doctor forbade me …
• Don said, “I won’t tell anyone.” – Don promised …
• Anna said, “I won’t help you.”- Anna refused …
• Jake said, “You should see a doctor.” – Jake advised me …
• I said to the teacher, “Please don’t give us any homework.”- I begged the teacher …
• I told him, “I will punish you if you don’t behave!” – I threatened …
• He said, “It was you who broke the vase!” – He accused me …
• He told me, “Buy some food on your way back.” – He reminded me …
• She said, “I’m sorry I lost the book you gave me.” – She apologised …
• The guide said, “Stay away from the edge of the cliff!” – The guide told us …
• I said, “Let me carry your groceries.” – I offered …
• My mother said, “Get out of bed at once”! – My mothered ordered me …
• Dad said, “Let’s go to the park”! – Dad suggested …
• He said, “I am in love with your sister.” – He said that …
• The reporter asked, “Where is the president staying?” – The reporter wanted to know …
• George said, “I can’t do it now, but I’ll try later.” – George said that …
• My friend said, “Don’t go there after dark.” – My friend warned me …
• Peter to Elizabeth: “I’ll give back the money when I have it.” – Peter told Elizabeth that …
• My husband asked, “What should I wear for the party?” – My husband asked me …
• My boss said, “You haven’t been working hard enough.” – My boss said that …
• Malcolm said, “You must take your shoes off. “ – Malcolm ordered him …
• I said, “Could you please pass me the salt?” – I asked him …
• Dad explained, “I will be leaving this house next week.” – Dad explained to us that …
• I asked him, “Did you see the fire?” – I asked him …
• The doctor asked, “How did you feel after the operation?” – The doctor wanted to know …
• Mom said, “Don’t forget your umbrella.” – Mom told me …
• The teacher asked me, “Could you swim when you were little? – The teacher asked me …
• Jimmy said, “ I haven’t seen Harry for ages and I don’t know where he is. – Jimmy said that …

Task 2. Change to reported speech.

• She asked me,” Where have you been?” – She asked me …
• She said to me, “Close your eyes!” – She told me …
• Oliver said, “Please, can I have some more food?” – Oliver asked …
• The park attendant said, “Don’t walk on the grass!” – The park attendant warned us …
• Roy said, “I own two cars.” – Roy said that …
• Maria said, “He has never written to me before.” – Maria said that …
• Father said, “Go to your room and stay there.” – Father ordered me …
• He asked me, “Are you alright?”- He asked me …
• Mom said, “I haven’t seen him in the last few days.” – Mom said that …
• The students said, “Please don’t give us any homework. – The students begged the teacher …
• He asked me, “Do you speak English?” – He asked me …
• She said, “I’m very tired and can’t come with you. – She said that …
• He asked me, “Why didn’t you phone me?” – He asked me …
• Mom said, “You must see a doctor”. – Mom said that …
• The neighbour said, “Don’t make so much noise.” – The neighbour told us …
• The teacher said, “I won’t be here next year.” – The teacher said that …
• Dad said, “Could you take the dog for a walk?” – Dad asked me …
• The boy asked the tour guide, “Where is the main tourist office? “ – The boy asked the tour guide …
• The police officer said, “Get out of the car!” –  The police officer ordered the boys …
• The woman asked,” How long have you worked as a tour guide?” – The woman wanted to know …
• He said, “Come to me!” – He told me …
• I asked the waiter,” When is dinner served?” – I asked the waiter …
• The old lady asked the policeman, “Is there a shopping centre nearby?” – The old lady wanted to know …
• Dad asked,” Did you find my glasses?” – Dad asked me …
• He said to his son, “Don’t be afraid!” – He told his son …
• Dad advised us “, You should always wear a helmet when you ride a bike!” – Dad advised us …
• The biologist wondered, “What kind of marine animals are there in the park”? – The biologist wondered …
• The journalist asked, “Have you published any interesting stories yet?” – The journalist wanted to know …
• He said to her, “I may not be able to meet you at the airport.” – He told her he …
• She said, “Let’s go out!” – She suggested …
• The doctor told her, “Don’t get up until Sunday!” – The doctor told her …
• The girl said, “Please don’t tell my parents “! – The girl begged the teacher …
• She asked, “Can I go tomorrow?” – She asked …

Task 3. Change to reported speech.

• She said, “I can get home on my own”.
• They said, “We haven’t been to an art gallery for ages”.
• The police asked me, “When did you leave the house this morning?”
• He said, “I’ll think about it.”
• Mary said, “I should have phoned my mother”.
• The doctor told me. “You should cut down on your smoking.”
• He asked me, “Do you understand all the rules?”
• She asked me, “When will I see you again?”
• My parents said, “We are going on holiday tomorrow.”
• She said, “Wait until I get back!”
• My sister said, “I always eat lots of fresh fruit and salad.”
• The workers said, “We won’t have enough time to finish the job.”
• The passenger asked, “Could someone help me with the luggage?”
• Mom said, “Don’t worry!”
• Jack said, “We must leave soon.”
• She said, “It’s been a long time since I had such a good meal.”
• They wanted to know, “What time does the party start ?”
• The guide said, “The weather may get much worse.”

Task 4. Put in ‘said’ or ‘told’.

• Julie ______________ that she would join us after work.
• She ______________ me that she was going running this evening.
• John ______________ us that he couldn’t come to the party.
• John ______________ that he had been to the cinema at the weekend.
• She ______________ them she wanted to quit.
• David ______________ he was going to arrive at eight.
• They ______________ that they didn’t want to meet us on Tuesday.
• I ______________ him I wasn’t impressed.
• Lucy ______________ Julie that she was leaving on Wednesday.
• We ______________ that we were going on holiday the following week.
• Jack ______________ my mother he would be in Spain this week.
• I ______________ that I hated mushrooms.
• She ______________ she loved chocolate.
• They ______________ they were meeting Luke today.
• They ______________ us they were going to the museum this afternoon.
• He ______________ he wouldn’t start without us.
• I ______________ them I’d bring pudding.
• Jonathan ______________ it would rain today.
• They ______________ us that it was fine to come late.
• The boss ______________ me that I should do some more work on this report.

I hope now it’s a problem for you to change to reported speech.

Share this story, choose your platform, related posts.

Negative Prefixes

Inversion after Negative Adverbials

Many Much A Lot Of

Quantifiers

Wishes and Regrets

despite and in spite of

Going to and Present Continuous

Must and Have to

Do and Make

Infinitive or -ing Form

Leave a comment cancel reply.

• Grammar Tests
• Grammar Exercisers

English Grammar Power

Exam Resources for PEC, JSC, SSC, HSC, Degree,Diploma in Medical Technology,Diploma in Dental Technology,Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery,B S C in Nursing and MA Examines in Bangladesh

Friday, July 20, 2012

Change these direct questions into reported speech:, no comments:, post a comment, composition on female education in bangladesh for examination.

  Female Education in Bangladesh Education is a light to which everybody has the equal right. Education is the backbone of a nation. The ...

English Study Here

100 examples of direct and indirect speech.

100 Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech in English, 100 Examples of reported speech in english;

Related Posts

50 Ways to Avoid Using the Word VERY

Transition Words & Phrases Agreement – Addition – Similarity

Phrasal Verbs With SET

About the author.

Confirm Password *

By registering, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . *

Username or email *

Forgot Password

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.

Sorry, you do not have permission to ask a question, You must login to ask a question.

Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.

Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.

Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.

English Notes

English notes latest questions, ram said to me, “did you do your homework” change into indirect speech.

Indirect Speech: Ram asked me if I had done  my homework.

Explanation: When the reporting verb is in the past (said) and the direct speech is in the past indefinite tense, then the indirect (reported) speech will change into the past perfect tense.

Past Indefinite Tense > Past Perfect Tense. And if the sentence is interrogative, we use the reporting verbs – asked, enquired, etc.

Note: While answering to “yes or no questions”, we use if or whether.

Learn Narration

• Share on WhatsApp
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on LinkedIn
• Select as best answer

You must login to add an answer.

Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

20 Questions to Ask Your Mother

Almost a decade ago, I crafted a list of questions for my kids to ask relatives at family gatherings. My children were in grade school and I wanted to give them a sense of their family history and help them see themselves as a part of something larger than themselves —which research suggests could make them more resilient, better adjusted, and more successful in school.

My children are grown now, and Mother’s Day has taken on a new meaning. What I want most now is to know my mom as an adult. She’s a woman who’s often been behind the camera recording our family history, but has rarely stood in front of it. So I’ve re-written the original 20 questions for kids to ask their mothers or grandmothers—perfect if you’re planning a multigenerational Mother’s Day gathering. And I’ve also written a second question set for middle-aged children like me to ask their mothers. I tried them with my own mother and, although I thought she wouldn’t want to be the center of attention, it turns out that she was delighted that we were so interested in her.

For kids to ask their mothers and grandmothers:

1. What do you remember about the houses you lived in as a kid? Which one did you like the best?

2. What did you have as a child that kids today don’t have?

3. Has anything ever happened at a family wedding that you’ll never forget?

4. Think of some relatives who passed away in the last few years. What would they be doing right now if they were with you?

5. Who has been your greatest coach in life? How have they coached you? What made them good at it?

6. When you were a teenager and young adult, whom did you go to for advice? Looking back, was it good advice?

7. What was your favorite movie or book when you were my age?

8. Tell me a story about a family reunion or family party that you remember attending as a child.

9. What was the hardest thing you went through as a child? How did you overcome it?

10. What are your favorite stories that grandpa/grandma told (or still tells)?

11. If you could know anything about our family history or about a relative who passed away, what would you want to know?

12. What is the most embarrassing thing your mother or father ever did to you?

13. What are your best memories of holidays or family gatherings as a child?

14. What three adjectives would your mother use to describe you? What about your grandmother?

15. Did your parents or grandparents ever lose their jobs? What happened? How did they start over?

16. What is the best thing that your grandmother ever cooked? What about your parents?

17. How did your parents change after they retired?

18. If you could go back to one day in your childhood, which day would that be? Why?

19. How are you most different from your mother? Your grandmother? How are you the same?

20. What did your grandmother(s) do with you that you loved? What did they do that you didn’t enjoy so much?

(This list was inspired by Table Topics , especially the “ Family Gatherings ” collection).

For adult children to ask their mothers and grandmothers:

1. What is your favorite scent? What scent makes you feel nostalgic?

2. What is your favorite song? What music makes you feel happiest?

3. What is your all-time favorite meal?

4. If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?

5. What was the most unexpected compliment you ever received?

6. What’s something you used to (or still) make too big a deal about?

7. If you could change one thing about the way that you were raised, what would it be?

8. If you could change one thing about the way you raised me, what would it be?

9. What’s always been something that is hard for you to say no to?

10. Tell me about an event in your life that changed you, that you were never the same after.

11. What’s a secret that you always kept from your own mother?

12. What activity makes you feel the most peaceful, or the most free?

13. Tell me about a challenge you’ve overcome.

14. What do you have the most trouble accepting?

15. What’s a conversation you’ve been meaning to have?

16. Tell me about an important object that you lost. Do you wish you still had it?

17. What’s a rule you secretly love to break?

18. What’s something your friends know about you that I don’t?

19. What’s the thing that worries you the most?

20. What’s one day that you’ll never forget?

(These questions were inspired by Ester Perel’s game “ Where Should We Begin? ”)

Happy Mother’s Day to all those great moms and grandmothers out there (especially our own Nonie, Nana, and Oma)!

About the Author

Christine Carter

Christine Carter, Ph.D. is a Senior Fellow at the Greater Good Science Center. She is the author of The New Adolescence: Raising Happy and Successful Teens in an Age of Anxiety and Distraction (BenBella, 2020), The Sweet Spot: How to Accomplish More by Doing Less (Ballantine Books, 2015), and Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents (Random House, 2010). A former director of the GGSC, she served for many years as author of its parenting blog, Raising Happiness . Find out more about Christine here .

What Happened When I Wrote My Mom a Thank-You Letter

How Moms Can Cultivate Positive Emotions

Four Ways New Moms Can Get Through the Rest of the Pandemic

20 Questions to Ask Your Father

All I Want for Mother’s Day Is an Equitable Division of Labor

Feeling Entitled to a Little Gratitude This Mother’s Day?