❓ How do you tell a friend what someone else said? Do you remember their exact words, or do you change them a little?
65%
of daily conversation involves reporting what other people said - gossip, news, stories, and information sharing!
📱 The Gossip Chain
Meet Lisa, Tom, and Maria. Watch how a simple message changes as it travels...
🙋♀️ Lisa (Original)
"I'm getting married next month!"
⬇️
🙋♂️ Tom tells Maria
"Lisa said she was getting married the following month."
⬇️
🙋♀️ Maria tells her mom
"Tom told me that Lisa said she was getting married!"
🎭
Notice how the words change? "I'm" becomes "she was" and "next month" becomes "the following month" - this is REPORTED SPEECH!
🌟 Why Reported Speech Matters
Gossip & social life: "She said she was breaking up with him!"
News & journalism: "The President said the economy was improving."
Work & emails: "He mentioned that the meeting was cancelled."
Storytelling: "My grandmother always said that life was short."
🤔 Discuss: Think of the last piece of gossip you heard. How did you tell someone else about it?
📚 The Grammar of Gossip
🔑 The Basic Rule: Tenses Go Back One Step
When we report what someone said, we usually shift the tense back into the past. Think of it like looking at something through a mirror - everything moves one step back!
Direct Speech
➡️
Reported Speech
"I am tired."
➡️
She said she was tired.
"I love pizza."
➡️
He said he loved pizza.
"I am working late."
➡️
She said she was working late.
"I have finished."
➡️
He said he had finished.
"I went to Paris."
➡️
She said she had gone to Paris.
"I will call you."
➡️
He said he would call me.
"I can help."
➡️
She said she could help.
⏰ Time & Place Words Change Too!
today
➡️
that day
tomorrow
➡️
the next day
yesterday
➡️
the day before
now
➡️
then
here
➡️
there
this
➡️
that
next week
➡️
the following week
last year
➡️
the previous year
💡 Pro Tip: Pronouns Change Too!
Direct: "I love my job."
Reported: She said she loved her job.
The pronouns change to match who you're talking about!
🗣️ Quick Practice: Your friend said "I'm busy today." How would you tell someone else tomorrow?
🗣️ 5 Essential Reporting Expressions
👆 Click each card to reveal details and practice!
1. "said (that)..." - The Classic
Formality: Neutral (all situations)
The most common way to report speech. "That" is optional - you can include it or leave it out.
🔹 "She said (that) she was feeling sick." 🔹 "He said he would be late." 🔹 "They said the restaurant was closed."
NOW YOU TRY: What did you say to someone this morning? Report it using "I said that..."
2. "told me/him/her (that)..." - Personal Reporting
Formality: Neutral
"Tell" always needs an object (a person). Use this when emphasizing WHO received the information. Never say "told that" - always "told someone that".
🔹 "She told me (that) she was quitting her job." 🔹 "He told his parents he was moving abroad." ❌ NOT: "She told that she was quitting."
NOW YOU TRY: Think of advice someone gave you recently. Report it: "My [person] told me that..."
3. "mentioned (that)..." - Casual Reference
Formality: Neutral to Informal
Use when the information wasn't the main topic - it came up casually or briefly. Good for gossip!
🔹 "She mentioned that she was looking for a new apartment." 🔹 "He mentioned he might come to the party." 🔹 "Someone mentioned that the boss was in a bad mood."
NOW YOU TRY: What's something someone mentioned to you recently in passing? "Someone mentioned that..."
4. "claimed (that)..." - Doubt or Suspicion
Formality: Neutral to Formal
Use when you're not sure if what the person said is true. Often used in news, legal contexts, or when you don't believe someone.
🔹 "He claimed that he had never met her before." (but maybe he did?) 🔹 "The company claimed the product was safe." (but was it?) 🔹 "She claimed she was sick." (but I think she was lying!)
NOW YOU TRY: Think of an excuse someone gave you that you didn't believe. Report it: "[Person] claimed that..."
5. "explained (that)..." - Giving Reasons
Formality: Neutral
Use when someone gave a reason or explanation for something. Often followed by reasons or causes.
🔹 "She explained that she couldn't come because she had to work." 🔹 "He explained that the delay was due to traffic." 🔹 "The teacher explained that the test would be postponed."
NOW YOU TRY: Think of a time someone explained something to you. Report it: "[Person] explained that..."
🎯 Gossip Practice
🎤 Activity 1: Celebrity Gossip
These celebrities made statements. Report what they said to your teacher!
🎬
Famous Actor
"I am taking a break from Hollywood. I need to spend more time with my family."
💬 Report this: "The actor said that..."
🎤
Pop Star
"I will release my new album next month. It's my best work yet!"
💬 Report this: "The pop star mentioned that..."
⚽
Football Player
"I'm not leaving this club. I love playing here and I want to win more trophies."
💬 Report this: "The footballer claimed that..."
🔄 Activity 2: Transform the Gossip
Click each gossip card to see the direct speech, then practice reporting it!
💔
The Breakup Rumor: "Did you hear about Jake and Emma?"
Emma said: "I don't love Jake anymore. We're breaking up tomorrow."
Your turn: Report what Emma said!
💼
The Promotion News: "Guess what happened at work!"
The boss said: "I am promoting Sarah to manager. She starts her new position on Monday."
Your turn: Report what the boss said!
🏠
The Big Move: "Have you heard about the neighbors?"
Mrs. Chen said: "We're moving to Canada next year. My husband has found a job there."
Your turn: Report what Mrs. Chen said!
🎲 Random Gossip Generator
Click to get a random piece of gossip to report!
🎭 Role-Play: The Gossip Game
🤫 Chinese Whispers
Your teacher will tell you a secret message. Listen carefully, then report it back!
Click "New Message" to start the game!
🎬 Choose Your Scenario
Select a role-play and act it out with your teacher. Practice reporting speech naturally!
☕
Coffee Shop Gossip
You meet a friend and share gossip about mutual friends. What did everyone say?
💼
Office Update
Report what your boss said in the meeting to a colleague who was absent.
📰
News Reporter
You're a journalist. Report what a celebrity/politician said in an interview.
👨👩👧
Family Drama
Tell a sibling what your parents said about plans, rules, or family news.
💔
Relationship Advice
Your friend told you about a fight with their partner. Report it to another friend.
🏫
School/Class News
Report what the teacher said about exams, homework, or class changes.
👤 Your Role
The Gossiper
👤 Teacher's Role
The Listener
🎯 Phrases to Use in Role-Play
"Did you hear what [person] said?"
"Apparently, she told him that..."
"You won't believe this, but he said that..."
"She mentioned that..."
"According to [person], ..."
"He claimed that..."
⏱️ Timed Speaking Challenge
🏆 Choose Your Challenge
Select a challenge, set the timer, and speak continuously using reported speech!
📱 Text Message Gossip
Imagine you received 5 text messages from different friends today. Report what each person said and add your reactions!
📰 Breaking News Reporter
You're a TV news anchor. Report what various people said about a major event (a sports victory, a scandal, a discovery).
👨👩👧 Family Reunion Stories
You just came back from a family gathering. Report what different relatives said about their lives, jobs, relationships, and plans.
💼 The Big Meeting
You attended an important meeting. Report to a colleague what the boss said, what coworkers said, and what decisions were announced.
3:00
💪 Goal: Report at least 5 different things people "said" using varied reporting verbs!
✨ Lesson Review
🎉
You can now gossip like a pro in English!
📝 What You Learned Today
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Tense Shifts: am → was, will → would, have → had
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Time Changes: today → that day, tomorrow → the next day
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Pronoun Changes: I → he/she, my → his/her, we → they