Home of English Grammar

Grammar Guide
  • Home
  • Exercises
  • Matches
  • Rules
  • Tools
    • Grammar Checker
    • Very Replacer
    • Word Counter
  • Top Social Media Posts
  • Various Posts
  • Vocabulary
  • Writing Guides
  • Contact

Reported Speech Exercise

July 31, 2023 - B1pdf

Fill in the blanks.

Progress 0 of 12 answered
1After he finished the job, he said that it ............... him only five minutes.
Wrong!
In reported speech about a completed action, use the past simple "took".
2She asked ............... I could help her.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
A reported yes/no question can use "if" or "whether".
3When I called her, she said that she ............... be here soon.
Wrong!
In reported speech, "will" usually changes to "would".
4She said that her parents fully ............... her decision to join the military.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "supported" and "support" are possible because the parents' support may still be true now.
5I told them ............... up.
Wrong!
After "told them" to report an order, use "to hurry".
6He said that he ............... up feeling ill.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
A past event can stay in the past simple or backshift to the past perfect, so "woke" and "had woken" are correct.
7She said that she ............... not come to the party on Friday.
Wrong!
In reported speech, "can" usually changes to "could".
8The doctor advised me ............... plenty of water.
Wrong!
After "advised me" to report advice, use "to drink".
9He was driving too fast, so I asked him ............... down.
Wrong!
After "asked him" to report a request, use "to slow".
10He ............... me that he was bored with his job.
Wrong!
Use "told" before an object such as "me" in reported speech.
11He assured me that he ............... this.
Wrong!
In reported speech, "will not repeat" usually changes to "would not repeat".
12He asked where I ............... the previous night.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
A past question can be reported with "was" or backshifted to "had been".
Done.
Score: 0/12
Share your score!

Answers

  1. After he finished the job, he said that it took him only five minutes.
  2. She asked if / whether I could help her.
  3. When I called her, she said that she would be here soon.
  4. She said that her parents fully supported / support her decision to join the military.
  5. I told them to hurry up.
  6. He said that he woke / had woken up feeling ill.
  7. She said that she could not come to the party on Friday.
  8. The doctor advised me to drink plenty of water.
  9. He was driving too fast, so I asked him to slow down.
  10. He told me that he was bored with his job.
  11. He assured me that he would not repeat this.
  12. He asked where I was / had been the previous night.
  • Share
  • Post
  • Post
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
NEW: Try Matches, our daily vocabulary challenge. Pick a topic and level and match words with definitions to boost your vocabulary.
2,485,429 
761,532 
Improve Your Grammar
  • Download 2026 Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Free Weekly Exercises & Vocabulary
  • Join over 3 Million English Learners
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

Grammar Checker

GrammarCheck.net - Try online
Hint → Bookmark GrammarCheck for future use.

Latest Posts

  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Pinpoint” June 24, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Extend” June 24, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Foolish” June 24, 2026
  • Fixed Expressions and Idiomatic Collocations Exercise June 24, 2026
  • 100 Words Every Science Fair Student Should Know June 24, 2026
  • Phrasal Verbs in Context: Work and Study Exercise June 24, 2026
  • Why “fast asleep” means deeply asleep June 24, 2026

Copyright © 2026 · EnglishGrammar.org
Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Sitemap · Terms

Improve Your Grammar
  • Download 2026 Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Free Weekly Exercises & Vocabulary
  • Join over 3 Million English Learners
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.