Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When reporting past speech, move the verb one step into the past to show the time gap.
- Move present tenses to past tenses: 'I am' becomes 'He said he was'.
- Change pronouns to match the new speaker: 'I like' becomes 'She said she liked'.
- Shift time words: 'today' becomes 'that day' and 'here' becomes 'there'.
Overview
said や told など）が過去形になったとき、その後に続く節（reported clause）の中の動詞も、時間の階段を一段降りるように過去へとシフトさせるというものです。I am busy.（今、忙しいです）」と言ったとします。これを後で上司に報告する場合、日本語なら「田中さんは忙しいと言っていました」となりますが、英語では Tanaka said he was busy. となります。am が was に変わることで、「彼がそう言った過去の時点において、彼は忙しい状態だった」という時間軸の整合性を取っているのです。もしここで is を使ってしまうと、「彼は（今もずっと）忙しいと言った」というニュアンスになり、文脈によっては不自然に聞こえることがあります。Present Simple | Past Simple | I need help. | She said she needed help. |Present Continuous | Past Continuous | I am eating. | He said he was eating. |Present Perfect | Past Perfect | I have finished. | They said they had finished. |Past Simple | Past Perfect | I saw the movie. | She said she had seen the movie. |will | would | I will call you. | He said he would call me. |can | could | I can swim. | She said she could swim. |may | might | It may rain. | They said it might rain. |must | had to | I must go. | He said he had to go. |- 1不変の真理や事実: 「地球は丸い」「水は100度で沸騰する」といった、時が経っても変わらない事実は過去形にしません。
The teacher said that the earth is round.(地球が丸いのは今も昔も変わらないため)
- 1今でもその内容が事実である場合: 報告している時点でもその状況が続いているなら、現在形のままにすることもあります（特に口語）。
He said he lives in Tokyo.(今も東京に住んでいることを強調する場合)
- 1Reporting verbが現在形の場合:
He says...やShe is telling me...のように、伝える動作自体が現在進行形や現在形なら、中身の時制は変わりません。
- 会議の内容を報告する（就活や仕事の場面）
We will launch the product in June.The manager said that they would launch the product in June. となります。will を would に変えることで、「あの時、そう言っていた」という回想のニュアンスが正確に伝わります。- 伝言を伝える（LINEやSNSのやり取り）
I can't come to the party.」と連絡があった場合、他の友人に A said she couldn't come to the party. と伝えます。ここで can't のままにすると、日本語の「来れないって言ってるよ」に近い響きになりますが、英語の正式なルールでは couldn't にすることで「行けないという発言があった」ことを明確にします。- 過去の経験を語る（面接や自己紹介）
My former boss told me that I had great leadership. となります。過去の時点での評価を報告するため、have ではなく had を使います。- 1現在形をそのまま残してしまう
- 誤:
He said he is tired. - 正:
He said he was tired. - 理由: 日本語では「彼は疲れていると言った」と現在形で言うのが自然なため、
isを使いたくなります。しかし、英語ではsaid（過去）という「入れ物」に合わせて、中身のisもwasに同期させる必要があります。
- 1時を表す言葉（Today, Tomorrow）の変更忘れ
- 誤:
Yesterday, she said she will call me tomorrow. - 正:
Yesterday, she said she would call me the next day. - 理由: 日本語では「昨日の時点で『明日』」と言っても通じますが、英語の報告文では、報告している「今」を基準にします。昨日の時点での
tomorrowは、今日から見ればtodayかもしれません。混乱を避けるため、tomorrowはthe next day（その翌日）に、todayはthat day（その日）に書き換えるのがルールです。
- 1代名詞の切り替えミス
- 誤:
Ken said,I am hungry.→ Ken said I was hungry. - 正:
Ken said he was hungry. - 理由: 日本語は主語を省略しがちな言語（Pro-drop language）ですが、英語は必ず主語を明示します。
I（ケン自身）の発言を報告するとき、報告者は私なので、Iのままにしてしまうと「私（報告者）がお腹が空いている」ことになってしまいます。必ずheやsheに置き換えましょう。
« » を使う | that 節などを使う（that は省略可） |I, you) | 報告者の視点 (he, she, they) |here, now) | 報告時の表現 (there, then) |Mary said, I am busy here now.
という直接話法を間接話法にすると、Mary said she was busy there then. となります。時制だけでなく、場所（here → there）や時間（now → then）まで「距離を置く」のが英語の特徴です。He said he was sick. と言うと、今はもう治っているという意味になりますか？He said he is still sick. と現在形を使うことも可能ですが、迷ったら過去形にするのが最も安全で一般的です。must は過去形にするとどうなりますか？must には過去形がないため、had to（〜しなければならなかった）に書き換えます。ただし、推量の must（〜に違いない）の場合は、そのまま must を使うか、must have been の形をとることがあります。should や could などの助動詞はどう変化しますか？should, could, would, might, ought to など、すでに「過去の形」を持っている、あるいは控えめなニュアンスを持つ助動詞は、それ以上過去に戻る必要がないため、そのまま使います。said と was saying どちらがいいですか？said で十分です。was saying を使うと「（その時ちょうど）〜という話をしていた」という進行中のニュアンスが強くなります。単に内容を伝えるだけなら said または told me を選びましょう。Tense Backshift Mapping
| Direct Speech Tense | Reported Speech Tense | Direct Example | Reported Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
Past Simple
|
I work
|
He said he worked
|
|
Present Continuous
|
Past Continuous
|
I am working
|
He said he was working
|
|
Past Simple
|
Past Perfect
|
I worked
|
He said he had worked
|
|
Present Perfect
|
Past Perfect
|
I have worked
|
He said he had worked
|
|
Will
|
Would
|
I will work
|
He said he would work
|
|
Can
|
Could
|
I can work
|
He said he could work
|
|
Am/Is/Are going to
|
Was/Were going to
|
I am going to work
|
He said he was going to work
|
Common Contractions in Reported Speech
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
He said he had
|
He said he'd
|
He said he'd finished.
|
|
She said she would
|
She said she'd
|
She said she'd help.
|
|
They said they were
|
They said they're (rare)
|
Usually kept as 'they were'.
|
Meanings
Reported speech is used to communicate what someone else said without using their exact words. We usually change the tense of the original verb to a past form because the speaking event happened in the past.
Reporting Statements
Relaying factual information or opinions shared by others using reporting verbs like 'say' or 'tell'.
“She said that she had already finished the report.”
“They told us they were planning a surprise party.”
Reporting Questions
Relaying questions using 'ask', 'wonder', or 'want to know', often using 'if' or 'whether' for yes/no questions.
“He asked if I knew the way to the station.”
“She wondered where I had bought my shoes.”
Reporting Commands and Requests
Using an infinitive structure (to + verb) to report what someone told or asked someone to do.
“The doctor told me to drink more water.”
“She asked him not to smoke in the house.”
Reference Table
| 直接話法の時制 | 間接話法の時制 | 直接話法の例 | 間接話法の例 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
Past Simple
|
I *like* pizza.
|
She said `she liked` pizza.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
Past Continuous
|
I *am working*.
|
He said `he was working`.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
Past Perfect
|
I *have finished*.
|
They said `they had finished`.
|
|
Past Simple
|
Past Perfect
|
I *went* home.
|
He explained `he had gone` home.
|
|
Past Continuous
|
Past Perfect Continuous
|
I *was reading*.
|
She mentioned `she had been reading`.
|
|
Will
|
Would
|
I *will help*.
|
He promised `he would help`.
|
|
Can
|
Could
|
I *can swim*.
|
She said `she could swim`.
|
|
May
|
Might
|
It *may rain*.
|
They thought `it might rain`.
|
|
Must (obligation)
|
Had to
|
I *must go*.
|
He stated `he had to go`.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
The employee stated that the assignment had been completed. (Workplace)
He said that he had finished the work. (Workplace)
He said he was done. (Workplace)
He was like, 'I'm finished.' (Workplace)
時制の一致の基本概念
報告動詞 (過去形)
- said dijo
- told contó
- asked preguntó
時制の一致
- Present -> Past Presente -> Pasado
- Past -> Past Perfect Pasado -> Pluscuamperfecto
例外
- Timeless Truths Verdades universales
- Present Reporting Reporte en presente
直接話法と間接話法の時制変化
時制はずらすべき？
報告動詞は過去形ですか（例: 'said', 'told'）？
元の発言は普遍の真理、または今も真実ですか？
時制がずれるケース
単純形
- • Present Simple -> Past Simple
- • Past Simple -> Past Perfect
進行形
- • Present Continuous -> Past Continuous
- • Past Continuous -> Past Perfect Continuous
完了形
- • Present Perfect -> Past Perfect
助動詞
- • Will -> Would
- • Can -> Could
- • May -> Might
- • Must -> Had to
レベル別の例文
He said, 'I am a student.'
He said he is a student.
She said, 'I like apples.'
She said she likes apples.
They said, 'We are cold.'
They said they are cold.
I said, 'I am hungry.'
I said I was hungry.
He said he liked the movie.
He said he liked the movie.
She told me she was busy.
She told me she was busy.
They said they lived in London.
They said they lived in London.
He asked if I wanted coffee.
He asked if I wanted coffee.
She said she had already seen that film.
She said she had already seen that film.
He asked where I had been the day before.
He asked where I had been the day before.
They told us they would arrive at 8 PM.
They told us they would arrive at 8 PM.
The boss asked if I could finish the report.
The boss asked if I could finish the report.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
She suggested going to the park.
She suggested going to the park.
It was reported that the company was closing.
It was reported that the company was closing.
He asked what I would have done in his position.
He asked what I would have done in his position.
The witness alleged that the suspect had been fleeing the scene.
The witness alleged that the suspect had been fleeing the scene.
She questioned whether the results were truly representative.
She questioned whether the results were truly representative.
He conceded that the project had been more difficult than anticipated.
He conceded that the project had been more difficult than anticipated.
The article contended that the policy was fundamentally flawed.
The article contended that the policy was fundamentally flawed.
The philosopher postulated that existence preceded essence.
The philosopher postulated that existence preceded essence.
He recounted how he had been wandering the streets for hours.
He recounted how he had been wandering the streets for hours.
The diplomat underscored that a resolution must be reached immediately.
The diplomat underscored that a resolution must be reached immediately.
She lamented that the golden age of cinema had long since passed.
She lamented that the golden age of cinema had long since passed.
間違えやすい
Learners often use 'say' with a person or 'tell' without one.
Learners keep the question word order (Verb-Subject) instead of switching to statement order (Subject-Verb).
Learners aren't sure if they *must* backshift if the fact is still true.
よくある間違い
He said I am happy.
He said he was happy.
She said me she is tired.
She told me she was tired.
He said that he like pizza.
He said that he liked pizza.
They said they are here.
They said they were there.
He asked me where was the bank.
He asked me where the bank was.
She asked if I have seen the movie.
She asked if I had seen the movie.
He told to me to go.
He told me to go.
He said he will come tomorrow.
He said he would come the next day.
She asked me what did I do.
She asked me what I had done.
He said he had went there.
He said he had gone there.
He suggested me to go.
He suggested that I should go / He suggested going.
文型パターン
He said that he ___ (past verb) ___.
She asked me if I ___ (past verb) ___.
They told us not to ___ (verb) ___.
It is widely believed that ___ (subject + verb) ___.
Real World Usage
He said the deadline had been moved to Friday.
She said she's gonna be late.
The police reported that the road was closed.
Did you hear? He said he was quitting!
Smith (2020) argued that the data was inconclusive.
The witness claimed she had never seen the man before.
「一つ前に戻る」イメージ
ずらしすぎ注意！
is round.」今日の出来事で練習
was going to the gym.」実践することで定着しますよ。カジュアルな柔軟性
she is coming (informal).」Smart Tips
Immediately think: 'No do/does/did' and 'Switch the order'.
Change 'will' to 'would' every single time.
Check if there is a person (me, you, her) after the verb. Person = Tell. No person = Say.
Shift the time! 'Yesterday' -> 'the day before', 'Tomorrow' -> 'the next day'.
発音
The 'that' reduction
In reported speech, the word 'that' is often unstressed and pronounced as a schwa /ðət/.
Intonation in reported questions
Unlike direct questions, reported questions have a falling intonation at the end because they are statements.
Reporting Statement
She said she was ↘ hungry.
Conveys a completed piece of information.
暗記しよう
記憶術
The 'Backstep' Rule: If the reporting verb is in the past, the message takes a step back in time.
視覚的連想
Imagine a timeline. When you report someone's words, you physically pick up the verb and move it one square to the left (the past).
Rhyme
When 'said' is the word you use, the present tense you're bound to lose.
Story
A spy overhears a secret: 'I am meeting the contact tomorrow.' He runs to his boss and reports: 'He said he was meeting the contact the next day.' The spy must change the time and tense so the boss doesn't go to the wrong place at the wrong time.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look at your last 3 text messages. Rewrite them as if you were telling a friend what those people said using 'He/She said that...'.
文化メモ
In the UK, 'shall' in direct speech ('Shall we go?') often shifts to 'should' in reported speech ('He asked if we should go').
Americans frequently use 'like' as a reporting verb in very informal speech ('He was like, "No way!"'). This is common among younger generations.
Journalists use 'allegedly' or reporting verbs like 'claimed' to avoid legal trouble when reporting something that isn't proven yet.
Reported speech structures have existed since Old English, though the strict 'backshift' rules became more formalized as the English tense system became more complex during the Middle English period.
会話のきっかけ
What did your boss or teacher tell you to do yesterday?
Tell me about a secret someone told you recently (without names!).
What is the most interesting thing you heard on the news today?
If you could report a conversation between two famous people, who would they be?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
She said she ___ busy yesterday.
am busy.」。現在単純形の 'am' が過去単純形の 'was' にずれます。Find and fix the mistake:
He told me he `go` to the concert.
go to the concert.」。報告動詞が過去形の場合、現在単純形の 'go' は過去単純形の 'went' にずれます。Choose the correct sentence:
is postponed.」。現在単純形が過去単純形にずれます。Translate into English: 'Ella dijo que había terminado su tarea.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
Score: /4
練習問題
8 exercisesDirect: 'I am living in London.'
Direct: 'I have lost my keys.' -> She said she ___ her keys.
Find and fix the mistake:
He asked me where did I live.
Direct: 'I will call you tomorrow.'
1. 'I can swim' 2. 'I am swimming' 3. 'I swam'
She told that she was coming.
A: 'Are you coming?' B: 'What did he ask?' C: 'He asked ___.'
Select the correct one.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesThey explained that they ___ to Paris last year.
He swore he `will` keep my secret.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Él preguntó dónde vivía yo.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the tenses:
The coach emphasized that they ___ to practice harder.
She informed me that her brother `can` speak French.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella dijo: "Puedo ayudarte".'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the modals:
I heard she ___ sick last week.
Score: /13
よくある質問 (8)
Not always. If the statement is still true (e.g., 'The capital of France is Paris'), you can keep it in the present. However, backshifting is always correct and safer in exams.
'Must' usually changes to 'had to' in reported speech. For example, 'I must go' becomes 'He said he had to go'.
Only if you use 'to'. You can say 'He said to me that...', but it is much more common to say 'He told me that...'.
Use the question word, then the subject, then the verb. 'Where is he?' becomes 'She asked where he was'.
'This' usually becomes 'that', and 'these' becomes 'those'. For example, 'I like this book' becomes 'He said he liked that book'.
No, it is optional. 'He said he was tired' and 'He said that he was tired' are both correct, but the version without 'that' is more common in speaking.
If the reporting verb is in the present, you do NOT backshift. 'He says he is hungry' stays in the present.
Use 'tell' + person + 'to' + verb. 'Sit down!' becomes 'He told me to sit down'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estilo indirecto
Spanish often uses the subjunctive mood for reported commands, whereas English uses the infinitive.
Le discours indirect
French tense harmony is often stricter in formal writing than English.
Indirekte Rede (Konjunktiv I)
English uses past tenses for reporting; German uses a special verb form.
引用 (In'yō)
No tense changes occur in Japanese reported speech.
الكلام المنقول (al-kalam al-manqul)
Tense consistency is based more on the time of the event than a grammatical rule.
间接引语 (Jiànjiē yǐnyǔ)
Verbs never change form in Chinese reported speech.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
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