Reported speech
Reported speech shifts viewpoint by moving someone else’s words into a new context with adjusted pronouns, time, or stance.
Examples
She said that she would arrive after lunch.
They explained that the meeting had been postponed.
He told me that he already knew the author.
Pattern
reporting verb + que + clause
How it works
Reported speech shifts viewpoint by moving someone else’s words into a new context with adjusted pronouns, time, or stance. This pattern typically appears as reporting verb + que + clause and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- What changes depends on the new speaker’s perspective.
- Time words and pronouns often shift most visibly.
Why it matters
Write more impersonally or more indirectly when needed.
Use in context
This structure is especially valuable in summaries, articles, and reflective writing.