Reported Speech即是轉述別人說的話。當我們把別人的話複述出來時，我們不會用“ ” ，也不一定會用原來的詞語，有時連時態（Tenses）也會改變。
例子Example 1: 直述句 Direct speech : The teacher said to Alan, “Don’t be late again tomorrow.”
轉述句 Reported Speech : The teacher told Alan not to be late again the next day.
根據例子1，從直述句改為轉述句，要改變句式的時態以及時間副詞。
said … Don’t -> told … not to
tomorrow -> the next day
例子Example 2: 直述句 Direct speech : Peter said, “Please don’t tell my mother about the broken vase.”
轉述句 Reported Speech : Peter asked not to tell his mother about the broken vase.
根據例子2，從直述句改為轉述句，除要改變句式的時態以及時間副詞，也要改變句子中的代詞。
said … don’t -> asked … not to
my -> his
以下是一些從直述句改為轉述句的規則：
基本句型：
Someone said (that) …
Someone told (that) …
時態 Tenses
3. 代詞 Pronouns
4. 時間或地點 Time and place
5. 疑問句：
把主語調到動詞前，刪減do / did： Example 1: “Where does Peter live?” -> She asked him where Peter lived. Example 2: “Why is she crying?” -> He asked why she was crying.
Yes/No問句會用ask + if / whether： Example 1: “Do you speak English?” -> He asked me if I spoke English.
Example 2: “Is it raining?” -> She asked whether it was raining.
疑問詞句會用ask + 疑問詞 + 句子 (動詞調到最後面) ： Example 1: “What is your name?” he asked me. -> He asked me what my name was. Example 2: “When can we have dinner?” -> She asked when they could have dinner.