Reporting what people said (Tense Changes)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When reporting past speech, shift the verb tense back to maintain logical consistency.
- Present becomes Imperfect: 'Il dit qu'il mange' -> 'Il a dit qu'il mangeait'.
- Passé Composé becomes Plus-que-parfait: 'Il dit qu'il a fini' -> 'Il a dit qu'il avait fini'.
- Future becomes Conditional: 'Il dit qu'il viendra' -> 'Il a dit qu'il viendrait'.
Overview
Reporting what someone else said, thought, or asked is a fundamental aspect of human communication, allowing us to relay information and build narratives. In French, this is known as le discours indirect (indirect speech). It transforms a direct statement, like « Je suis fatigué » (”I am tired”), into an indirect one: Il a dit qu'il était fatigué (”He said that he was tired”).
Mastering le discours indirect is essential for B1 learners, as it enables more sophisticated conversational flow, summarization, and storytelling. It moves beyond simply quoting to integrating information smoothly into your own discourse, significantly enhancing your communicative range and naturalness in French.
The core challenge in French reported speech, especially at the B1 level, lies in understanding and correctly applying la concordance des temps (the sequence of tenses). This principle dictates how the verb tense in the reported clause must adapt based on the tense of the verbe introducteur (reporting verb), such as dire (to say), expliquer (to explain), or demander (to ask). When the reporting verb is in a past tense, a recul des temps (backshifting of tenses) often occurs in the reported clause.
This grammatical adjustment ensures logical temporal consistency between the moment the statement was originally made and the moment it is being reported.
How This Grammar Works
La concordance des temps in French discours indirect is governed by the temporal relationship between the reporting verb (e.g., il dit, elle a affirmé) and the reported action or state. The primary consideration is whether the reporting verb is in a present-based tense or a past-based tense. This distinction determines if any tense changes are necessary in the subordinate clause introduced by que.présent (il dit), futur simple (il dira), or passé composé used with a present implication (il vient de dire)—the tense of the verb in the reported clause generally does not change. The reported statement maintains its original tense because the act of reporting is perceived as happening concurrently or imminently relative to the original statement. For example, Il dit : « Je viendrai » becomes Il dit qu'il viendra.viendra remains futur simple because dit is in the présent. Similarly, Elle explique : « J'étudie » becomes Elle explique qu'elle étudie. The présent étudie stays the same.passé composé (il a dit), imparfait (il disait), plus-que-parfait (il avait dit), or passé simple (more formal, literary: il dit)—the verb in the reported clause must often undergo a backshift (recul des temps). This backshifting is a linguistic mechanism to reflect that the reported event occurred before or simultaneously with the act of reporting, which itself is in the past. It establishes a consistent temporal perspective.« Je suis malade » (I am sick) yesterday, and you report it today, être (to be) shifts from présent to imparfait to become Il a dit qu'il était malade. The imparfait here indicates a state that was true at the time of the original statement in the past, viewed from a past reporting point. This recul des temps is crucial for conveying precise temporal relationships in advanced French and is a hallmark of grammatically correct formal and semi-formal communication.Formation Pattern
le discours indirect involves a series of systematic transformations, particularly when the reporting verb is in a past tense. This requires careful attention to pronouns, conjunctions, verb tenses, and temporal/locational adverbs. The fundamental structure is [Subject] + [Reporting Verb] + que + [Reported Clause].
dire (to say)
affirmer (to affirm)
déclarer (to declare)
expliquer (to explain)
préciser (to specify)
répondre (to answer)
penser (to think)
croire (to believe)
raconter (to tell/recount)
il dit vs. il a dit) is the primary determinant of subsequent tense changes.
que: The conjunction que (or qu' before a vowel or mute h) is mandatory to link the reporting clause to the reported clause. Unlike English, where "that" can often be omitted ("He said he was coming"), que is never omitted in French reported speech.
Il a dit qu'il viendrait. (He said that he would come.)
Elle a expliqué que la situation était complexe. (She explained that the situation was complex.)
je (I) | il / elle (he / she) |
tu (you singular) | il / elle (he / she), or je (if reported to me) |
nous (we) | ils / elles (they), or nous (if reporter is part of nous) |
vous (you plural) | ils / elles (they), or vous (if reported to vous) |
Marie a dit : « Je suis prête. » (Marie said: "I am ready.")
Marie a dit qu'elle était prête. (Marie said that she was ready.)
passé composé, imparfait, plus-que-parfait), the verb tense in the reported clause typically shifts backward in time. Here is the comprehensive table for these shifts:
Présent (e.g., je parle) | Imparfait (e.g., je parlais) |
Futur Simple (e.g., je parlerai) | Conditionnel Présent (e.g., je parlerais) |
Passé Composé (e.g., j'ai parlé) | Plus-que-parfait (e.g., j'avais parlé) |
Futur Antérieur (e.g., j'aurai parlé) | Conditionnel Passé (e.g., j'aurais parlé) |
Imparfait (e.g., je parlais) | Imparfait (no change) |
Plus-que-parfait (e.g., j'avais parlé) | Plus-que-parfait (no change) |
Conditionnel Présent (e.g., je parlerais) | Conditionnel Présent (no change) |
Conditionnel Passé (e.g., j'aurais parlé) | Conditionnel Passé (no change) |
Subjonctif Présent (e.g., que je parle) | Subjonctif Imparfait (rare, often avoided) |
Marc a déclaré : « J'arrive demain. » (Marc declared: "I'm arriving tomorrow.")
Marc a déclaré qu'il arrivait le lendemain. (Marc declared that he was arriving the next day.)
Elles ont promis : « Nous finirons le projet. » (They promised: "We will finish the project.")
Elles ont promis qu'elles finiraient le projet. (They promised that they would finish the project.)
aujourd'hui (today) | ce jour-là (that day) |
hier (yesterday) | la veille (the day before) |
demain (tomorrow) | le lendemain (the next day) |
maintenant (now) | à ce moment-là (at that moment) |
ici (here) | là (there) |
il y a X jours (X days ago) | X jours avant (X days before) |
la semaine prochaine (next week) | la semaine suivante (the following week) |
ce / cet / cette (this/that) | ce / cet / cette (retained if still relevant, otherwise rephrased) |
mon / ma / mes (my) | son / sa / ses (his/her), leur / leurs (their) |
Paul a dit : « Je serai ici demain. » (Paul said: "I will be here tomorrow.")
Paul a dit qu'il serait là le lendemain. (Paul said that he would be there the next day.)
imparfait and conditionnel présent are key tenses for backshifting and become much more prominent in your French at this stage.
When To Use It
Le discours indirect is not merely a grammatical exercise; it is an indispensable tool for nuanced communication in French. You will employ it whenever you need to relay information, thoughts, opinions, or promises that originated from someone else, without quoting their exact words. This structure allows for smoother integration of reported content into your own narrative, making your French sound more natural and less like a series of verbatim recitations.- Recounting Past Conversations: This is perhaps the most frequent use case. When you tell a friend what another person said yesterday, you'll naturally use past reporting verbs and trigger tense changes.
Mon ami m'a raconté qu'il avait visité Paris l'année précédente.(My friend told me that he had visited Paris the year before.)
- Summarizing Information: In academic contexts, professional settings, or when discussing news, you often need to summarize what sources have stated. Reported speech allows you to condense information effectively.
Le professeur a expliqué que l'examen serait difficile.(The professor explained that the exam would be difficult.)
- Expressing Beliefs, Opinions, or Thoughts: When you want to convey what someone thinks, believes, or feels, especially if their opinion was expressed in the past.
Elle croyait qu'il pleuvrait toute la journée.(She believed that it would rain all day.)
- Reporting Promises or Intentions: If someone made a promise or stated an intention in the past, reported speech with tense changes is appropriate.
Il a promis qu'il ferait de son mieux.(He promised that he would do his best.)
- Journalism and Storytelling: News articles, historical accounts, and novels frequently use reported speech to convey events and dialogues without direct quotation marks.
Le témoin a affirmé qu'il avait vu la scène.(The witness affirmed that he had seen the scene.)
discours direct and discours indirect significantly impacts the flow and formality of your communication. By correctly applying la concordance des temps, you demonstrate a higher level of linguistic proficiency, moving beyond basic sentence construction to complex narrative forms.Common Mistakes
le discours indirect in French, particularly with tense changes, presents several common pitfalls for B1 learners. Awareness of these errors is the first step toward correcting them and achieving fluent, accurate communication.- 1Omitting
que: This is perhaps the most frequent and fundamental error. In English, “that” can often be dropped ("He said he was tired"). In French, however,que(orqu') is obligatory before the reported clause, regardless of formality. Omitting it results in ungrammatical French.
- Incorrect:
Il a dit il était fatigué. - Correct:
Il a dit qu'il était fatigué.
- 1Incorrect Pronoun/Possessive Shifts: Failing to adjust pronouns and possessive adjectives to the new perspective is a common source of confusion. The reported message must make sense from the reporter's point of view.
- Direct:
Elle a dit : « C'est ma voiture. » - Incorrect:
Elle a dit que c'était ma voiture.(Implies it's your car, the reporter's) - Correct:
Elle a dit que c'était sa voiture.(Implies it's her car, the original speaker's)
- 1Failure to Backshift Tenses: This is the defining characteristic of this grammar rule. When the reporting verb is in a past tense, the reported verb must often shift back. Learners frequently leave the reported verb in its original tense, especially from
présenttoimparfaitorfutur simpletoconditionnel présent.
- Direct:
Ils ont pensé : « Elle vient ce soir. » - Incorrect:
Ils ont pensé qu'elle vient ce soir-là. - Correct:
Ils ont pensé qu'elle venait ce soir-là.
- 1Over-shifting Tenses (Hypercorrection): Conversely, some learners apply backshifting even when the reporting verb is in the present. Remember: no backshift if the reporting verb is
présent,futur simple, etc.
- Direct:
Il dit : « J'ai faim. » - Incorrect:
Il dit qu'il avait faim. - Correct:
Il dit qu'il a faim.
- 1Neglecting Adverbial/Demonstrative Shifts: Time and place expressions are dynamic and must be updated to maintain logical consistency. Forgetting to change
aujourd'huitoce jour-làoricitolàcan lead to ambiguity.
- Direct:
Elle a affirmé : « Je pars demain. » - Incorrect:
Elle a affirmé qu'elle partait demain. - Correct:
Elle a affirmé qu'elle partait le lendemain.
- 1Confusion with Reported Questions (
Discours indirect interrogatif): A common mistake is usingqueor performing a simple tense shift for reported questions. Remember, reported questions use specific structures:
- For yes/no questions:
si(if/whether).Il a demandé : « Tu viens ? »->Il a demandé si tu venais. - For
Wh-questions: the question word (où,quand,pourquoi,comment,qui,quoi) is retained and acts as the connector.Elle a demandé : « Où est-il ? »->Elle a demandé où il était.Note thatquoioften becomesce que(Elle a demandé : « Que fais-tu ? »->Elle a demandé ce que tu faisais.).
- 1Confusion with Reported Commands (
Discours indirect impératif): Commands are reported usingde+ infinitive, notqueand a finite verb.
- Direct:
Il m'a dit : « Va-t'en ! » - Incorrect:
Il m'a dit qu'il partait. - Correct:
Il m'a dit de partir.
Real Conversations
While grammar rules provide the framework, understanding how le discours indirect operates in authentic, everyday French communication is crucial for B1 learners. Native speakers frequently employ reported speech in various contexts, from casual chats to more formal written exchanges. Observing these uses helps bridge the gap between textbook examples and practical application.
1. Casual Spoken French & Texting:
In informal spoken French and text messages, a slight relaxation of tense concordance can sometimes be observed, especially for the passé composé reporting verb followed by a présent in the reported clause. However, for B1 learners aiming for accuracy, adhering to the standard backshifting rules remains essential. Native casual speech is often an acceleration and simplification of formal rules, but this is not recommended for learners.
- Example (Reporting a friend's plans):
- Direct: « Je vais au cinéma ce soir. »
- Indirect (Standard/Formal): Il m'a dit qu'il allait au cinéma ce soir-là. (He told me he was going to the cinema that evening.)
- Indirect (Colloquial, sometimes heard): Il m'a dit qu'il va au cinéma ce soir. (Still understood, but grammatically less precise in writing.)
- Example (Texting about a missed call):
- Direct: « Je t'ai appelé parce que je ne savais pas. »
- Indirect: Il a dit qu'il t'avait appelé parce qu'il ne savait pas. (He said he had called you because he didn't know.)
Notice the plus-que-parfait for t'ai appelé and imparfait for savais. These are standard and essential for clarity.
2. Professional and Academic Contexts:
In professional emails, academic papers, news reports, or formal presentations, strict adherence to la concordance des temps is mandatory. Errors in backshifting can signal a lack of proficiency and diminish the credibility of the communication.
- Example (Summarizing meeting outcomes in an email):
- La direction a précisé que toutes les décisions avaient été prises lors de la dernière réunion. (Management specified that all decisions had been made during the last meeting.)
Here, avaient été prises (plus-que-parfait passif) correctly reflects the passé composé (ont été prises) of the direct statement, viewed from a past reporting point (a précisé).
- Example (Reporting research findings):
- Les chercheurs ont démontré que le phénomène se produisait plus souvent en hiver. (The researchers demonstrated that the phenomenon occurred more frequently in winter.)
The original se produit (présent) shifts to se produisait (imparfait) to describe a general truth observed in the past.
3. Storytelling and Narrative:
Authors and storytellers rely heavily on reported speech to convey dialogue and thoughts without constantly breaking the narrative flow with direct quotes. The consistent application of tense shifts helps readers maintain a clear understanding of the temporal sequence of events.
- Example (In a novel):
- Elle pensa qu'elle aurait dû partir plus tôt. (She thought that she should have left earlier.)
Here, aurais dû (conditionnel passé) perfectly conveys a past regret or missed opportunity.
Understanding these real-world applications highlights that le discours indirect is not merely a grammatical structure but a powerful tool for sophisticated and precise communication in French. While some informal leniency exists, mastering the formal rules provides the foundation for both accurate and adaptable usage.
Quick FAQ
la concordance des temps in French reported speech.- Q: Is
quealways mandatory in French reported speech?
Yes, absolutely. Unlike English, where "that" can often be omitted, que (or qu' before a vowel or mute h) is grammatically indispensable to introduce the reported clause after a verb of declaration or opinion. Omitting it is a significant grammatical error in French.
- Q: What if the original statement is a general truth or scientific fact? Do tenses still shift?
This is an important nuance. If the reported statement expresses a general truth, a permanent fact, or a scientific law that is still valid at the time of reporting, the présent tense in the reported clause generally remains in the présent, even if the reporting verb is in the past. This overrides the usual backshifting rule to reflect the timeless nature of the fact.
- Direct:
Le professeur a dit : « La Terre tourne autour du soleil. » - Indirect:
Le professeur a dit que la Terre tourne autour du soleil.(The professor said that the Earth revolves around the sun.)
présent statements, the backshift to imparfait is still required.- Q: Are there any other situations where the tense might not backshift even with a past reporting verb?
Yes, occasionally, if the action in the reported clause is considered simultaneous with the act of reporting (which is in the past), or if it expresses a habitual action in the past, the imparfait might be used in the reported clause without a prior présent to reflect this. Also, if the reported event is still relevant or ongoing at the moment of reporting, sometimes the présent is retained in very informal contexts, but this is best avoided by B1 learners for formal accuracy.
- Q: How do I report questions (e.g., "He asked if...") or commands (e.g., "She told me to...")?
These fall under le discours indirect but follow different specific patterns:
- Reported Questions (Discours indirect interrogatif): Use
sifor yes/no questions (Il a demandé si elle venait). Use the original interrogative word (où,quand,pourquoi,comment) as the conjunction forWh-questions (Elle a demandé où il était). Rememberquoibecomesce queorce qui(Il a demandé ce qu'elle faisait). - Reported Commands (Discours indirect impératif): Use
de+ infinitive for commands (Elle m'a dit de faire mes devoirs).
- Q: Is
le passé simpleever used as a reporting verb that triggers tense changes?
Yes, le passé simple (e.g., il dit) can function as a reporting verb, particularly in formal written narratives (literature, history). When used, it triggers the same backshifting rules as le passé composé or l'imparfait.
Il dit : « Je viendrai. »Il dit qu'il viendrait.(Note thepassé simplehere isditnota dit).
- Q: What is the most important thing to remember about this rule?
The most critical aspect is to consistently ask yourself: "Is the reporting verb in the present or the past?" If it's in the past, then immediately think about the necessary tense backshifts and adverbial changes. The mandatory que and correct pronoun shifts are also non-negotiable. Consistent practice with all these elements is key to mastery at the B1 level and beyond.
Tense Shifts in Reported Speech
| Original Tense | Reported Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Présent
|
Imparfait
|
Il dit: 'Je mange' -> Il a dit qu'il mangeait
|
|
Passé Composé
|
Plus-que-parfait
|
Il dit: 'J'ai mangé' -> Il a dit qu'il avait mangé
|
|
Futur Simple
|
Conditionnel Présent
|
Il dit: 'Je mangerai' -> Il a dit qu'il mangerait
|
|
Imparfait
|
Imparfait
|
Il dit: 'Je mangeais' -> Il a dit qu'il mangeait
|
|
Plus-que-parfait
|
Plus-que-parfait
|
Il dit: 'J'avais mangé' -> Il a dit qu'il avait mangé
|
|
Impératif
|
de + Infinitif
|
Il dit: 'Mange!' -> Il a dit de manger
|
Meanings
Reported speech is used to convey what someone else said without quoting them directly. It requires adjusting tenses to reflect the past perspective of the speaker.
Reporting statements
Using 'dire que' to relay information.
“Elle dit qu'elle travaille.”
“Il a dit qu'il travaillait.”
Reporting questions
Using 'demander si' for yes/no questions.
“Il demande si tu viens.”
“Elle a demandé si j'avais fini.”
Reporting commands
Using 'dire de' + infinitive.
“Il me dit de partir.”
“Elle m'a dit de manger.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + Reporting Verb + que + Subject + Verb
|
Il a dit qu'il était prêt.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + Reporting Verb + que + Subject + ne + Verb + pas
|
Il a dit qu'il ne venait pas.
|
|
Question (Yes/No)
|
Subject + Reporting Verb + si + Subject + Verb
|
Il a demandé si je venais.
|
|
Question (Wh-)
|
Subject + Reporting Verb + Question Word + Subject + Verb
|
Il a demandé ce que je faisais.
|
|
Command
|
Subject + Reporting Verb + de + Verb (Infinitive)
|
Il a dit de partir.
|
|
Negative Command
|
Subject + Reporting Verb + de + ne pas + Verb (Infinitive)
|
Il a dit de ne pas partir.
|
Formality Spectrum
Il a déclaré qu'il viendrait. (Reporting a plan)
Il a dit qu'il viendrait. (Reporting a plan)
Il a dit qu'il allait venir. (Reporting a plan)
Il a dit qu'il rapplique. (Reporting a plan)
Reported Speech Flow
Tense Shift
- Present Imparfait
- Passé Composé Plus-que-parfait
Question Shift
- Est-ce que Si
Examples by Level
Il dit qu'il est fatigué.
He says he is tired.
Elle dit qu'elle mange.
She says she is eating.
Il dit qu'il a faim.
He says he is hungry.
Elle dit qu'elle est heureuse.
She says she is happy.
Il a dit qu'il était fatigué.
He said he was tired.
Elle a demandé si je venais.
She asked if I was coming.
Il a dit qu'il avait fini.
He said he had finished.
Elle a dit qu'elle partait.
She said she was leaving.
Il a dit qu'il viendrait demain.
He said he would come tomorrow.
Elle a demandé si j'avais mangé.
She asked if I had eaten.
Il a dit qu'il travaillerait plus tard.
He said he would work later.
Elle a dit qu'elle avait vu le film.
She said she had seen the movie.
Il m'a ordonné de partir immédiatement.
He ordered me to leave immediately.
Elle a affirmé qu'elle n'avait jamais menti.
She claimed she had never lied.
Il a demandé si nous serions prêts à temps.
He asked if we would be ready on time.
Elle a dit qu'elle aurait aimé venir.
She said she would have liked to come.
Il a soutenu qu'il fallait agir vite.
He maintained that it was necessary to act fast.
Elle a prétendu qu'elle fût innocente.
She claimed she was innocent.
Il a déclaré qu'il ne savait pas ce qu'il ferait.
He declared he didn't know what he would do.
Elle a insisté pour que nous venions.
She insisted that we come.
Il a allégué que, fussent-ils coupables, ils méritaient un procès.
He alleged that, even if they were guilty, they deserved a trial.
Elle a fait savoir qu'elle aurait préféré que nous fussions partis.
She made it known she would have preferred we had left.
Il a argué que la situation eût été différente.
He argued that the situation would have been different.
Elle a noté qu'il n'était guère possible de revenir en arrière.
She noted it was hardly possible to turn back.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the punctuation and tense shifts.
Learners use 'est-ce que' in indirect questions.
Learners use 'que' for commands.
Common Mistakes
Il a dit: 'Je suis fatigué'.
Il a dit qu'il était fatigué.
Il dit qu'il a mangé hier.
Il a dit qu'il avait mangé la veille.
Il demande est-ce que tu viens.
Il demande si tu viens.
Il a dit que il est venu.
Il a dit qu'il était venu.
Il a dit qu'il viendra.
Il a dit qu'il viendrait.
Elle a demandé si est-ce que je veux.
Elle a demandé si je voulais.
Il a dit de il part.
Il a dit de partir.
Il a dit qu'il a fini.
Il a dit qu'il avait fini.
Il a dit qu'il a été là.
Il a dit qu'il avait été là.
Elle a dit que elle viendrait.
Elle a dit qu'elle viendrait.
Il a prétendu qu'il est innocent.
Il a prétendu qu'il était innocent.
Il a dit qu'il aurait venu.
Il a dit qu'il serait venu.
Elle a insisté qu'il vient.
Elle a insisté pour qu'il vienne.
Sentence Patterns
Il a dit qu'il ___.
Elle a demandé si je ___.
Il m'a dit de ___.
Ils ont affirmé qu'ils ___.
Real World Usage
Mon ancien patron a dit que j'étais très efficace.
Il a dit qu'il arrivait.
Elle a dit qu'elle adorait ce film.
Le guide a dit qu'il fallait attendre ici.
Le livreur a dit qu'il était en bas.
Le ministre a déclaré qu'il agirait rapidement.
Check the reporting verb
Watch for 'si'
Pronoun changes
Formal vs Informal
Smart Tips
Always check if it's a yes/no question to use 'si'.
Use the conditional tense.
Use 'de' + infinitive.
Always elide to 'qu''.
Pronunciation
Elision
Remember to elide 'que' to 'qu'' before vowels.
Falling intonation
Il a dit qu'il viendrait ↘
Signals the end of a reported statement.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Back one step: If the reporting verb is in the past, move the reported verb one step back in time.
Visual Association
Imagine a clock moving backward. When you report a past event, the clock hand clicks back one notch.
Rhyme
When the past is in the lead, shift the tense to take the heed.
Story
Pierre said 'I am eating' (present). Later, I told my friend: 'Pierre said he was eating' (imparfait). The tense shifted back because the reporting happened later.
Word Web
Challenge
For 5 minutes, listen to a podcast and try to summarize three sentences you hear using 'Il a dit que...'.
Cultural Notes
French speakers are very precise with tense shifts in formal settings.
Informal speech often uses 'que' as a filler.
Reported speech often uses 'dire' + 'que' with slightly more flexible tense usage in colloquial speech.
Derived from Latin 'dicere' (to say).
Conversation Starters
Qu'est-ce qu'il a dit hier ?
Est-ce qu'elle t'a demandé si tu étais libre ?
Qu'est-ce que ton patron a dit concernant le projet ?
Qu'est-ce que les gens disent de cette situation ?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Il a dit qu'il ___ (venir) demain.
Il a demandé ___ tu étais prêt.
Find and fix the mistake:
Il a dit que il est fatigué.
Il dit: 'Je mange'.
A: 'Viens!' B: Il a dit de ___.
Il / a dit / que / il / avait fini.
Which is correct for 'J'ai fini'?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesIl a dit qu'il ___ (venir) demain.
Il a demandé ___ tu étais prêt.
Find and fix the mistake:
Il a dit que il est fatigué.
Il dit: 'Je mange'.
A: 'Viens!' B: Il a dit de ___.
Il / a dit / que / il / avait fini.
Which is correct for 'J'ai fini'?
Match 'Je viendrai' to its reported form.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesMarie a dit : « J'ai froid. » -> Marie a dit qu'elle ___ froid.
dit / qu' / Il / était / il / fatigué
She said that she was happy.
Choose the correct form:
Match the pairs:
Paul dit : « J'aime mon chien. » -> Paul dit qu'il aime mon chien.
Elle me demande ___ je veux un café.
Choose the formal option:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Only if the reporting verb is in the past. If it's in the present, keep the original tense.
It disappears in indirect questions and is replaced by 'si'.
No, use 'si' for yes/no questions and the question word for others.
In formal writing, the sequence of tenses is very strict.
Use 'de' + infinitive.
They also shift (e.g., 'demain' becomes 'le lendemain').
It refers to the logical agreement of tenses in a sentence.
Yes, if the reporting verb is in the present, no shift is needed.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estilo indirecto
Spanish uses 'que' but has different subjunctive triggers.
Indirekte Rede
German changes the mood, while French changes the tense.
引用 (Inyou)
Japanese does not shift tenses in the same way.
الكلام المنقول
Arabic does not require the tense shift found in French.
间接引语
Chinese has no verb conjugation, so no tense shift occurs.
Reported speech
French requires more rigid adherence to the sequence of tenses.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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Indirect Speech in French (le Discours Indirect)
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Reported Speech | French Class 10 CBSE 2025 | Direct and Indirect Speech
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Direct and Indirect Speeches in French
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