B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 5

Reporting Information and Linking Clauses

9 Total Rules
93 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of reporting information and linking complex ideas to sound like a native speaker.

  • Report past conversations and commands accurately using tense shifting.
  • Connect detailed ideas using relative pronouns like 'lo que' and 'cuyo'.
  • Structure sentences with precision using commas and passive voice constructions.
Connect your thoughts and relay stories with total confidence.

What You'll Learn

Alright friend, you've learned a lot of Spanish and can express yourself, but now it's time to take your Spanish to the next level and speak like a true native! In this chapter, you'll learn some tricks that will make your conversations much more natural and precise. First up, you'll master how to report what others said without just repeating them word-for-word. Whether they were talking about a past event (Indirect Speech Tense Shifting) or even asking a question (Reported Questions), we'll teach you how to integrate it into your own speech using si, qué, and dónde. And if someone gave you an order (Reported Commands) that you need to relay, you'll use the imperfect subjunctive – that's truly advanced! Next, we'll dive into connecting more complex ideas and clauses. With lo que and lo cual (Neutral Relative Pronouns), you can link general concepts or an entire preceding clause, explaining your meaning more fully. You'll learn when to use and omit commas in relative clauses (Commas in Relative Clauses) to signal the difference between 'essential' and 'extra' information. These subtle nuances are what will set you apart! Finally, you'll learn cuyo (Whose) to elegantly show possession in advanced sentences. Imagine you're telling your friends a story about what happened yesterday and what someone said, or you're relaying a crucial conversation at work. With these skills, you'll be able to express your meaning accurately, without ambiguity, and just like a native Spanish speaker. You'll never feel like your words are incomplete. After this chapter, you'll construct long, detailed sentences that will impress everyone. Ready for this exciting challenge? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Relay a complex workplace interaction using reported speech and passive voice.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome, language adventurer! You've navigated the exciting terrains of Spanish grammar and can now express yourself with confidence. But what if we told you there's another level, a way to sound even more natural and sophisticated, just like a native speaker? This chapter is your key to unlocking that advanced fluency. We're diving deep into B2 Spanish grammar, focusing on how to report information and elegantly link your ideas, transforming your sentences from basic to brilliant. Mastering these techniques will empower you to recount stories, relay complex conversations, and express nuances that truly elevate your communication. Get ready to impress with your command of advanced Spanish structures!
This guide will equip you with essential tools for sophisticated storytelling and precise communication. You'll learn the art of indirect speech, allowing you to convey what others said or asked without simply parroting their words. We'll explore how to use neutral relative pronouns like lo que and lo cual to connect broader concepts, and refine your use of relative clauses with proper comma placement, a subtle yet powerful skill. Finally, you'll master cuyo to express possession in a truly elegant way.
These are the nuances that distinguish a proficient speaker from a truly advanced one. By the end of this chapter, you won't just be constructing sentences; you'll be weaving intricate narratives and expressing complex thoughts with clarity and style. This is where your Spanish language journey truly takes off, enabling you to engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations.

How This Grammar Works

This chapter focuses on making your Spanish more fluid and precise by teaching you how to report information and connect clauses effectively. First, let's tackle Indirect Speech Tense Shifting (Reporting the Past). When you report something said in the past, the original tense often shifts. For example, if someone said "Tengo hambre" (I am hungry), you'd report it as "Dijo que tenía hambre" (He said that he was hungry), changing present to imperfect. If they said "He comido" (I have eaten), it becomes "Dijo que había comido" (He said that he had eaten), shifting present perfect to pluperfect.
Next, we master Reported Questions. To report a yes/no question, use si (if): "Me preguntó si venía" (He asked me if I was coming), from "¿Vienes?" (Are you coming?). For information questions, use the original interrogative word like qué (what) or dónde (where): "Me preguntó qué quería" (He asked me what I wanted), from "¿Qué quieres?" (What do you want?). Similarly, "Me preguntó dónde vivía" (He asked me where I lived), from "¿Dónde vives?" (Where do you live?).
Reported Commands are relayed using me dijo que + imperfect subjunctive. If someone told you "Haz la tarea" (Do the homework!), you'd say "Me dijo que hiciera la tarea" (He told me to do the homework). This is a hallmark of B2 Spanish proficiency.
Moving to linking clauses, Neutral Relative Pronouns: lo que, lo cual are invaluable. Lo que means "what" or "the thing that" and refers to a general idea or an unspecified antecedent: "Lo que me molesta es el ruido" (What bothers me is the noise). Lo cual means "which" and refers to an entire preceding clause or situation: "Llegó tarde, lo cual me sorprendió" (He arrived late, which surprised me).
For Essential vs Extra Info: Using Commas in Relative Clauses, remember that a comma indicates non-essential, extra information. "Los estudiantes que estudiaron aprobaron" (The students *who studied* passed) specifies *which* students. "Los estudiantes, que estaban cansados, se fueron" (The students, *who were tired*, left) tells us *why* they left, but the core statement "the students left" still stands.
Finally, Whose (cuyo) is an advanced way to show possession. It agrees in gender and number with the *noun it modifies*, not the possessor. "El autor cuyos libros leo" (The author *whose* books I read) – cuyos matches "libros" (masculine plural).

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Dijo que tengo hambre."
✓ Correct: "Dijo que tenía hambre."
*Explanation:* When reporting past statements, the tense usually shifts. "Tengo" (present) becomes "tenía" (imperfect) in indirect speech.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "No sé qué es lo que me dijo."
✓ Correct: "No sé lo que me dijo."
*Explanation:* "Lo que" already means "the thing that" or "what." Adding an unnecessary "es" or repeating the "que" can make the sentence clunky or grammatically incorrect.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Los perros que son ruidosos, me molestan."
✓ Correct: "Los perros que son ruidosos me molestan."
*Explanation:* If the relative clause is essential for identifying the noun (i.e., you're talking about *specific* noisy dogs), no comma is used. The comma would imply that *all* dogs are noisy and bother you, which is likely not the intended meaning.

Real Conversations

A

A

Mi jefe me dijo: "Necesito el informe para mañana." (My boss told me: "I need the report by tomorrow.")
B

B

¿Y qué te dijo que hicieras? (And what did he tell you to do?)
A

A

Me preguntó: "¿Has visto a María?" (He asked me: "Have you seen María?")
B

B

¿Y qué le respondiste? ¿Te preguntó si la habías visto? (And what did you answer? Did he ask you if you had seen her?)
A

A

No me gusta lo que pasó ayer. (I don't like what happened yesterday.)
B

B

A mí tampoco. Fue muy incómodo, lo cual me hizo sentir mal. (Me neither. It was very uncomfortable, which made me feel bad.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I know when to use lo que versus lo cual?

Lo que refers to an unspecified thing or idea ("what"). Lo cual refers to an entire preceding clause or situation, often acting as "which" in English.

Q

Is tense shifting always mandatory in reported speech?

In formal contexts or when the original statement is clearly in the past, yes. However, in very informal Spanish, especially when the reported information is still true or relevant, speakers sometimes maintain the original tense, though this is less common for B2 Spanish learners.

Q

Can I use cuyo to ask "whose?"

No, cuyo is a relative pronoun meaning "whose" or "of which" (e.g., "the man whose car..."). To ask "Whose is it?", you would use "¿De quién es?"

Cultural Context

Native Spanish speakers use these structures constantly, often without conscious thought, to weave complex narratives and express nuanced ideas. The fluidity of indirect speech and the precision of relative clauses are hallmarks of advanced communication. While formal rules exist for tense shifting, in casual conversation, you might occasionally hear less strict adherence, especially if the reported event is still very present in the speaker's mind. However, mastering the standard shifts and the correct use of lo que, lo cual, and cuyo will make your Spanish sound educated and natural, helping you connect more deeply in any Spanish-speaking environment. These grammar points are crucial for sounding truly fluent.

Key Examples (8)

1

Mi novio me dijo que ya no me quería.

My boyfriend told me he didn't love me anymore.

Indirect Speech Tense Shifting (Reporting the Past)
2

El jefe anunció que la reunión empezaría tarde.

The boss announced that the meeting would start late.

Indirect Speech Tense Shifting (Reporting the Past)
3

Me preguntó si quería ir al cine con ella.

She asked me if I wanted to go to the movies with her.

Reported Questions: He asked if... (si / qué / dónde)
4

Mi jefe me preguntó por qué no había terminado el informe.

My boss asked me why I hadn't finished the report.

Reported Questions: He asked if... (si / qué / dónde)
5

La pizza que pedí está fría.

The pizza that I ordered is cold.

Spanish Relative Clauses: To Comma or Not (Que)
6

Mi perro, que es muy viejo, duerme mucho.

My dog, who is very old, sleeps a lot.

Spanish Relative Clauses: To Comma or Not (Que)
7

Mi jefe me dijo que terminara el informe para las cinco.

My boss told me to finish the report by five.

Reported Commands: Telling someone what was ordered (me dijo que + subjunctive)
8

El camarero nos pidió que esperáramos un momento.

The waiter asked us to wait a moment.

Reported Commands: Telling someone what was ordered (me dijo que + subjunctive)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Check the reporting verb

Always look at the first verb. If it's in the past, get ready to shift!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Indirect Speech Tense Shifting (Reporting the Past)
💡

The Accent Rule

Always keep the accent on question words like 'qué' and 'dónde'. It's the #1 sign of a pro.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Reported Questions: He asked if... (si / qué / dónde)
💡

The Comma Test

Remove the clause. If the sentence loses its core meaning, it's restrictive—no commas!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Relative Clauses: To Comma or Not (Que)
💡

The 'Que' Rule

Always remember the 'que' after 'dijo'. It is the bridge to the subjunctive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Reported Commands: Telling someone what was ordered (me dijo que + subjunctive)

Key Vocabulary (5)

relatar to recount/tell cuyo whose lo cual which (referring to a clause) mandato command/order pasivo passive

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Office Update

Review Summary

  • Verbo introductorio (dijo) + que + verbo en tiempo pasado

Common Mistakes

When the reporting verb is in the past, the reported action must shift to the past as well.

Wrong: Él dijo que va a la oficina.
Correct: Él dijo que iba a la oficina.

Extra information in relative clauses must be set off by commas.

Wrong: La casa que tiene dos pisos, es bonita.
Correct: La casa, que tiene dos pisos, es bonita.

Use 'cuyo' for possession instead of 'que su'.

Wrong: Esta es la mujer que su coche es rojo.
Correct: Esta es la mujer cuyo coche es rojo.

Rules in This Chapter (9)

1

Indirect Speech Tense Shifting (Reporting the Past)

B2
When reporting what someone said in the past, step the verb tense back one level on the timeline (e.g., Present → Imperfect).
Mi novio me dijo que ya no me quería.
10 examples
2

Reported Questions: He asked if... (si / qué / dónde)

B2
Reported questions transform direct quotes into narrative statements using si or interrogatives with a back-shifted verb tense.
Me preguntó si quería ir al cine con ella.
10 examples
3

Spanish Relative Clauses: To Comma or Not (Que)

B2
Commas change relative clauses from 'identifying info' to 'bonus info'—dropping them can change your sentence's entire meaning.
La pizza que pedí está fría.
10 examples
4

Reported Commands: Telling someone what was ordered (me dijo que + subjunctive)

B2
Switch to the imperfect subjunctive after 'me dijo que' to report commands and requests accurately in Spanish.
Mi jefe me dijo que terminara el informe para las...
11 examples
5

Neutral Relative Pronouns: What & Which (lo que, lo cual)

B2
Use lo que for general ideas and starting sentences; use lo cual only to refer back to clauses.
Lo que me gusta de esta serie es el final.
12 examples
6

Passive Voice: Emphasizing the Action (Voz Pasiva)

B2
Use passive voice to emphasize what happened rather than who did it, especially using the 'se' shortcut.
El mensaje fue enviado por WhatsApp.
10 examples
7

Essential vs Extra Info: Using Commas in Relative Clauses

B2
Commas act as a 'side-note' signal; remove them to identify, keep them to describe.
La chica que está allí es mi prima.
10 examples
8

Whose (cuyo): Linking Possession Like a Pro

B2
cuyo must agree in gender and number with the noun that follows it, not the person who owns it.
Esa es la influencer cuyos vídeos son siempre vira...
10 examples
9

Spanish Passive Voice: The 'Was Done' Pattern (Ser + Participle)

B2
Focus on the action by matching the participle to the subject's gender and number using the verb ser.
La pizza fue entregada por el repartidor.
10 examples

Next Steps

You've tackled some of the most complex syntax in Spanish! Keep practicing these reporting structures to lock in your fluency.

Listen to a Spanish news podcast and identify reported speech.

Continue to: Navigating Uncertainty and Future Events

Quick Practice (10)

Select the correct form.

Ella dijo que ___ (venir) mañana.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Future shifts to conditional.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Indirect Speech Tense Shifting (Reporting the Past)

Find the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

La ley, cuya la aplicación es difícil, será revisada.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Remove 'la'
No article after cuyo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Whose (cuyo): Linking Possession Like a Pro

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Dijo que quiere ir. -> Dijo que ___ ir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Shift to imperfect.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Indirect Speech Tense Shifting (Reporting the Past)

Correct the error in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

El autor cuya libros son famosos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cuyos
Libros is masculine plural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Whose (cuyo): Linking Possession Like a Pro

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Me dijo que limpiar la casa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Me dijo que limpiara la casa.
Must use 'que' + subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Reported Commands: Telling someone what was ordered (me dijo que + subjunctive)

Find the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

El libro, lo que leí, es bueno.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: El libro, el que leí...
Antecedent is a noun.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Neutral Relative Pronouns: What & Which (lo que, lo cual)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

La decisión está tomada por el comité.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La decisión fue tomada por el comité.
Use 'ser' for action.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Emphasizing the Action (Voz Pasiva)

Fill in the blank with the correct connector.

Me preguntó ___ quería comer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: qué
It's a wh- question.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Reported Questions: He asked if... (si / qué / dónde)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: El hombre cuyo coche es rojo.
Coche is masculine singular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Whose (cuyo): Linking Possession Like a Pro

Complete with the correct form of 'ser'.

El libro ___ escrito por García Márquez.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fue
Preterite is used for a completed action.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Emphasizing the Action (Voz Pasiva)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Only if the reporting verb is in the past.
In Spanish, you still shift for consistency.
Because it's no longer a direct question; it's a statement about a question.
Only if the reporting verb is in the past. If it's present, keep the original tense.
Commas change the meaning. Without them, you are defining the noun; with them, you are just adding a side note.
Use 'quien' for people in non-restrictive clauses (between commas).
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