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
reported speech(간접 화법)는 매우 중요합니다. 한국어와 영어의 가장 큰 차이점 중 하나는 시제 처리 방식입니다. 한국어에서는 "그가 '나 배고파'라고 말했다«를 »그는 배고프다고 말했다"처럼 단순히 인용 조사 '-고'를 붙여 처리합니다.said, told)일 때, 종속절의 시제를 한 단계 뒤로 미루는 tense backshift(시제 일치/시제 후퇴)라는 규칙이 있습니다.tense backshift를 하지 않으면, 듣는 사람은 «이게 지금 일어나는 일인가, 아니면 과거에 있었던 일인가?»라고 혼란을 느낄 수 있습니다. 예를 들어, 친구가 «나 피곤해»라고 말했을 때, 단순히 He said he is tired라고 하면 그가 지금도 피곤하다는 뉘앙스가 강합니다. 하지만
He said he was tired라고 하면, 그가 그 말을 했을 당시에 피곤했다는 사실을 전달하며, 지금은 상황이 바뀌었을 수도 있다는 가능성을 열어둡니다.
tense backshift는 기본적으로 '말한 시점'을 기준으로 '그 당시의 시제'를 한 단계 과거로 옮기는 작업입니다. 한국어의 인용문에서는 '말하는 시점'과 '인용된 내용의 시점'이 섞여도 큰 문제가 없지만, 영어에서는 과거의 시점에서 바라본 과거의 사건을 표현해야 하므로 시제를 뒤로 미룹니다.I am busy라고 말한 시점이 과거라면, 그 시점에서의 현재(am)는 말하는 사람의 관점에서 이미 과거(was)가 됩니다. 마찬가지로, 화자가 I finished the work라고 과거형으로 말했다면, 그 사건은 이미 화자가 말한 시점보다 더 앞선 과거이므로, 보고하는 사람의 입장에서는 '과거의 과거', 즉
past perfect(대과거, had + p.p.)를 사용해야 합니다.past perfect와 완벽히 대응하는 문법 형태가 없기 때문에, 한국인 학습자들은 종종 had finished 대신 단순히 finished를 써서 오류를 범하곤 합니다.reporting verb가 says나 tells처럼 현재형이라면, 시제 후퇴를 할 필요가 없습니다. 이는 한국어의 «그가 말하길, 배고프대»와 유사합니다. 하지만 said가 나오는 순간, 영어는 무조건 과거의 틀 안으로 들어가야 합니다. 이 구조를 이해하면 영어의 서술 방식이 훨씬 더 논리적이고 정교하게 느껴질 것입니다.tense backshift의 핵심은 현재 시점의 동사를 과거 시점으로, 과거 시점의 동사를 대과거(had + p.p.)로 이동시키는 것입니다.I like pizza. | He said he liked pizza.I am working. | He said he was working.I have eaten. | He said he had eaten.I bought it. | He said he had bought it.I will go. | He said he would go.I can do it.| He said he could do it.
tense backshift는 주로 뉴스 보도, 소설, 혹은 어제 있었던 일을 친구에게 전달할 때 사용합니다. 예를 들어, 카페에서 친구가 «나 오늘 너무 바빠서 공부 못했어»라고 했다면, 나중에 다른 친구에게 이를 전달할 때 "She said she was so busy that she hadn't studied at all"이라고 표현해야 합니다.- 1과거의 사실을 객관적으로 전달할 때: 회의 내용이나 수업 내용을 요약할 때 필수적입니다.
- 2정보의 시점을 명확히 할 때: 현재와 과거의 상황을 분리하여 오해를 방지하고자 할 때 사용합니다.
- 3상대방의 말이 현재와는 다를 수 있음을 암시할 때:
He said he was single
이라고 하면 지금은 아닐 수도 있다는 뉘앙스를 자연스럽게 풍길 수 있습니다. 이는 한국어의 «그가 미혼이라고 했다»와는 달리, 영어에서는 시제 변화만으로도 정보의 업데이트 가능성을 보여줍니다.
- 1시제 후퇴 생략: 가장 흔한 실수입니다.
She said she is tired
라고 말하는 경우입니다. 한국어는 인용절의 시제를 바꾸지 않기 때문에(그녀는 '피곤하다'고 말했다), 영어에서도 그대로 현재형을 쓰는 오류를 범합니다. 원인은 L1 간섭으로, 한국어의 인용 조사 '-고'의 기능을 영어의that절로 그대로 대입하기 때문입니다. - 2대과거(
had p.p.)의 부재: 과거 시점의 말을 전달할 때past simple을 그대로 쓰는 경우입니다.He said he finished the work
는 문법적으로는 상황에 따라 허용되기도 하지만, 정확한 시점 차이를 보여주려면had finished를 써야 합니다. 한국어는 과거형 하나로 모든 과거 시점을 커버하기 때문에 발생하는 현상입니다. - 3인칭 대명사 변화 누락: "He said 'I am hungry'«를 »He said I was hungry"로 바꾸는 실수입니다. 화자가 바뀌었으므로
I가he로 바뀌어야 하는데, 한국어는 주어를 자주 생략하므로 영어의 인칭 변화에 익숙해지는 데 시간이 걸립니다.
reported speech는 화자의 입장을 완전히 내 입장에서 재구성하는 것이고, direct speech는 화자의 말을 그대로 따옴표 안에 넣는 것입니다. 한국어 학습자들은 대화 중에 direct speech를 쓰다가 갑자기 indirect로 넘어갈 때 시제 변화를 깜빡하는 경우가 많으니 주의하세요.reporting verb가 현재형(says)이면 시제 후퇴를 안 하나요?He says he is busy는 그가 지금 바쁘다는 사실을 전달하므로 시제 후퇴를 하지 않습니다.He said the Earth is round라고 해도 완벽히 자연스럽습니다.could, would, should 같은 조동사는 어떻게 하나요?He said he could swim처럼 사용하세요.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
| 직접 화법 시제 | 간접 화법 시제 (Backshift) | 직접 화법 예시 | 간접 화법 예시 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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.
|
|
Will
|
Would
|
I *will help*.
|
He promised `he would help`.
|
|
Can
|
Could
|
I *can swim*.
|
She said `she could swim`.
|
|
Must (의무)
|
Had to
|
I *must go*.
|
He stated `he had to go`.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
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)
시제 백시프트 핵심 개념
보고 동사 (과거형)
- said 말했다
- told 전했다
- asked 물었다
시제 변화 (Backshift)
- Present -> Past 현재 -> 과거
- Past -> Past Perfect 과거 -> 과거완료
예외 상황
- Timeless Truths 변하지 않는 진리
- Present Reporting 현재 시점으로 보고할 때
직접 화법 vs 간접 화법 시제 변화
시제를 뒤로 미뤄야 할까요?
보고하는 동사가 과거형('said', 'told' 등)인가요?
말하는 내용이 변하지 않는 진리이거나 지금도 여전히 사실인가요?
백시프트되는 시제들
기본 시제
- • Present Simple -> Past Simple
- • Past Simple -> Past Perfect
진행 시제
- • Present Continuous -> Past Continuous
- • Past Continuous -> Past Perfect Continuous
완료 시제
- • Present Perfect -> Past Perfect
조동사
- • Will -> Would
- • Can -> Could
- • May -> Might
- • Must -> Had to
수준별 예문
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.
혼동하기 쉬운
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.
자주 하는 실수
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.
문장 패턴
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.
시제는 '한 칸 뒤로'!
Present becomes past in reported speech.
너무 많이 바꾸지 마세요!
The sun rises in the east.
일상에서 연습하기
My friend said she was tired.
비격식 대화의 유연함
She said she is coming.
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'.
발음
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.
암기하기
기억법
The 'Backstep' Rule: If the reporting verb is in the past, the message takes a step back in time.
시각적 연상
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
챌린지
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...'.
문화 노트
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.
대화 시작하기
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?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
She said she ___ busy yesterday.
I am busy의 현재형 am이 과거형 was로 바뀌어야 합니다.He told me he `go` to the concert.
Choose the correct sentence:
The meeting is postponed의 현재형 is가 과거형 was로 바뀝니다.
Translate into English: 'Ella dijo que había terminado su tarea.'
I have finished(현재완료)가 간접 화법에서는 과거완료인 had finished로 바뀝니다.Score: /4
연습 문제
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.
올바른 문장을 고르세요:
다음 문장을 영어로 번역하세요: '그는 내가 어디에 사는지 물어보았다.'
단어를 올바른 순서로 배열하세요:
시제를 매칭해 보세요:
The coach emphasized that they ___ to practice harder.
She informed me that her brother `can` speak French.
올바른 문장을 고르세요:
다음 문장을 영어로 번역하세요: '그녀는 나를 도와줄 수 있다고 말했어요.'
단어를 올바른 순서로 배열하세요:
조동사를 매칭해 보세요:
I heard she ___ sick last week.
Score: /13
자주 묻는 질문 (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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### Overview 영어에서 다른 사람이 한 질문을 전달하는 방식인 `Reported Yes/No Questions`는 한국어 화자에게 매우 흥미로운...
간접 의문문: Wh- 단어 사용하기 (무엇, 어디, 왜)
### Overview 영어에서 `Reported Questions` (간접 의문문)를 다루는 것은 한국어 화자에게 매우 중요한 단계입니다. 한국어와...
간접 명령: 누군가에게 무엇을 하라고 말하기
룸메이트가 냉장고에 포스트잇을 남겨둔 적이 있나요? 아니면 상사가 회의 중에 Slack으로 간단한 메시지를 보낸 적이 있나요?...
의문사로 시작하는 간접 의문문 (누구, 무엇, 왜)
### Overview 영어를 모국어처럼 구사하기 위한 C1 레벨의 여정에서, 의문사가 포함된 간접 의문문(Reported Questions with Qu...
간접 화법 예/아니오 질문 (If/Whether)
### Overview C1 레벨에 도달한 고급 영어 학습자 여러분, 환영합니다. 이 단계에서 여러분은 단순히 의사를 전달하는 수준을...
간접 명령 및 요청: 다른 사람에게 무엇을 해야 할지 말하기
### Overview C1 레벨의 영어를 구사한다는 것은 단순히 의사소통을 넘어, 화자의 의도와 어조, 그리고 상황의 맥락을 얼마나...
조동사 및 수동태 보고 화법 (C1)
### Overview 영어를 학습하면서 B2 수준을 넘어 C1(Advanced) 단계에 도달한다는 것은 단순히 문장을 정확하게 만드는 것을 넘...
관련 동영상
Related Grammar Rules
객관성을 위한 수동태: '...라고 한다'
Overview 뉴스 리포터들이 왜 그렇게 진지하게 들리는지 궁금한 적이 있나요? 그들은 "내 생각에 이런 일이 일어난 것 같다"라고...
조동사 및 수동태 보고 화법 (C1)
### Overview 영어를 학습하면서 B2 수준을 넘어 C1(Advanced) 단계에 도달한다는 것은 단순히 문장을 정확하게 만드는 것을 넘...
보고 동사: 누가 무엇을 말했는가?
### Overview 여러분, 안녕하세요! 오늘은 영어의 'Reporting Verbs'에 대해 알아볼 거예요. 이 표현들은 다른 사람이 말하거나...
수동태를 사용하는 시점 (뉴스 및 소문 보도)
### 개요 수동태는 영어에서 행위의 주체(agent)가 알려지지 않았거나, 중요하지 않거나, 혹은 의도적으로 생략될 때 사용되는...
수동형 보도 구조 (그는 ~라고 합니다...)
### Overview 영어에서 `He is said to be...`와 같은 수동태 전달 구문(Passive Reporting Structures)은 정보, 의견, 또는 믿...
