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Confused about changing pronouns and time words in reported speech for a class assignment

Asked byClaire CopydeskPosted Apr 2, 2026 2:23 AM3 answers20 upvotesCanonical URL

Hi everyone! I'm working on a homework assignment where I have to turn direct speech into reported speech, but I'm getting a bit stuck on when to change pronouns and time expressions.

For example, if someone says, "I will finish my project tomorrow," should I report it as "He said he would finish his project tomorrow" or "He said he would finish his project the next day"? Also, does the pronoun always change from 'I' to 'he' or 'she,' depending on who said it?

I just want to make sure I'm following the rules properly. Any tips or examples would be appreciated!

Context:
Homework practice for intermediate ESL learners

#reported-speech#pronouns#prepositions-time

What to Know

Question You Likely Still HaveDirect AnswerHow To Apply It
What is the core rule for confused changing pronouns time?Self-Check: If your reported sentence uses 'I' or 'tomorrow', double-check if those words need to change based on the speakers and time.'tomorrow' → 'the next day' or 'the following day' 'today' → 'that day' Example: Direct: "I will call you tomorrow." Reported: He said he would call me the next day.
How do I apply confused changing pronouns time in a sentence like mine?'tomorrow' → 'the next day' or 'the following day' 'today' → 'that day' Example: Direct: "I will call you tomorrow." Reported: He said he would call me the next day.To help you, let's focus on two main patterns in reported speech: pronoun shift and time/place change.
What mistakes should I avoid with confused changing pronouns time?To help you, let's focus on two main patterns in reported speech: pronoun shift and time/place change.Compare: Direct: "We finished it." Reported: They said they had finished it.

3 Answers

ByAmelia EditorApr 2, 2026 2:43 AM9 upvotesAccepted answer

Great question! To help you, let's focus on two main patterns in reported speech: pronoun shift and time/place change.

1. Pronoun shift:

  • The pronoun changes to match who is reporting and whom they're talking about.
    • Original: "I am going to help you."
    • Reported: She said she was going to help me.
  • Compare:
    • Direct: "We finished it."
    • Reported: They said they had finished it.

2. Time/Place change:

  • Time words shift according to the reporting time.
    • 'tomorrow' → 'the next day' or 'the following day'
    • 'today' → 'that day'
  • Example:
    • Direct: "I will call you tomorrow."
    • Reported: He said he would call me the next day.

Tip:
If you're ever stuck, ask yourself: Who originally spoke? When was it said? Update pronouns & time words to fit your context.

Practice:
Take any direct quote and identify each pronoun and time word. Try changing just those elements and check: does it still make sense from the reporter's view?

Self-Check:
If your reported sentence uses 'I' or 'tomorrow', double-check if those words need to change based on the speakers and time.

ByPunctuation PaulApr 2, 2026 3:03 AM6 upvotes

You're right to check both pronouns and time words—they often both change in reported speech. Let's compare some nearly identical examples to see how the rules work:

Pronouns:

  • Original: Maria said, "I like basketball."

  • Reported: Maria said she liked basketball. (Maria = she, so 'I' becomes 'she')

    But—if you're talking about yourself:

  • Original: I said, "I like basketball."

  • Reported: I said I liked basketball. ('I' stays because you are reporting your own speech)

Time Expressions:

  • Original: "I'm going to the park next week."
    • Reported: He said he was going to the park the following week (or "the next week"). ('next week' shifts one step forward)
  • Original: "I'll see you today."
    • Reported: She said she would see me that day.

Quick Practice:
Change this sentence to reported speech for a friend talking about herself: "I'm starting my new job tomorrow."

  • Did you remember to change both the pronoun and the time word?
    • Correct: She said she was starting her new job the next day.
BySam SentenceApr 2, 2026 3:23 AM5 upvotes

A helpful way to approach reported speech is by asking guiding questions about the original sentence:

Step 1: Who is speaking? (Pronoun change)

  • If the answer is not you, change 'I' to 'he' or 'she' to match the speaker.
  • Example:
    • Direct: "I can't find my keys."
    • Reported (if John said this): John said he couldn't find his keys.

Step 2: When does the action happen? (Time word change)

  • Ask: When is 'tomorrow' or 'today' from the reporting moment?
  • Example:
    • Direct: "They will meet us here tomorrow."
    • Reported: They said they would meet us there the next day.

Try This:

  • Change: "I saw her yesterday."
  • Ask: Who is speaking? When is 'yesterday'?
    • Expected: She said she had seen her the day before.

Correction Approach:
After you write your sentence, go back and check: Did every pronoun and time word get updated for the new point of view?

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