Have you ever had to repeat what someone else said, only to wonder, “Should I use ‘say,’ ‘tell,’ or ‘ask’?” Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Reporting verbs help us share what others have said, asked, or told us, but knowing which one to use (and how!) can be a bit tricky.
In this guide, we’ll explore the three most common reporting verbs—say, tell, and ask—and how to use them like a pro. By the end, you’ll feel confident knowing when to use each one, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to navigate those tricky possessive pronouns in reporting speech. Let’s dive in!
1. Reporting Verb #1: “Say”
The verb “say” is probably the simplest and most flexible of the reporting verbs. It’s used when you’re reporting what someone said, without necessarily mentioning who they were speaking to.
Form:
- Say + (that) + reported speech
Examples:
- Direct speech: “I’m tired,” she said.
- Reported speech: She said (that) she was tired.
- Direct speech: “I like pizza,” John said.
- Reported speech: John said (that) he liked pizza.
Notice that you don’t need to mention who the person was speaking to. If it’s obvious, you can just use “say” and jump straight into the reported speech.
Practical Tip:
Use “say” when you’re focusing on what was said, rather than on who it was said to. You can use “that” after “say,” but it’s optional.
2. Reporting Verb #2: “Tell”
The verb “tell” is different from “say” because it’s used when you mention both what was said and who the message was directed to. So, if you’re reporting speech with a specific audience in mind, “tell” is your go-to verb.
Form:
- Tell + someone + (that) + reported speech
Examples:
- Direct speech: “I’m going to the store,” he told me.
- Reported speech: He told me (that) he was going to the store.
- Direct speech: “You should study more,” the teacher told the students.
- Reported speech: The teacher told the students (that) they should study more.
With “tell,” you always need to mention who is being told, whether it’s me, her, them, or any other pronoun or noun.
Practical Tip:
Always remember to include a listener (the person being told) when you use “tell”. If there’s no listener, you’ll need to switch to “say.”
3. Reporting Verb #3: “Ask”
The verb “ask” is used when you’re reporting a question. Whether it’s a yes/no question or an open-ended one, “ask” helps you report someone’s curiosity, request, or inquiry.
Form:
- Ask + someone + if/question word + reported speech
Examples:
- Direct speech: “Are you coming to the party?” she asked me.
- Reported speech: She asked me if I was coming to the party.
- Direct speech: “Where is the bus stop?” he asked.
- Reported speech: He asked where the bus stop was.
With “ask,” you use “if” for yes/no questions and the relevant question word (like “where,” “when,” “why”) for more open-ended questions.
Practical Tip:
Use “ask” when reporting questions. If you’re not sure if it’s a yes/no question, try using “if”—it’ll fit most of the time!
4. Using Possessive Pronouns with Reporting Verbs
When reporting speech, don’t forget to adjust the possessive pronouns to match the speaker’s perspective. This is an easy area for mistakes, but with a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it!
Example:
- Direct speech: “This is my book,” she said.
- Reported speech: She said that it was her book.
(Change “my” to “her” because you’re reporting what she said.)
Another Example:
- Direct speech: “Where’s your phone?” he asked.
- Reported speech: He asked where my phone was.
(Change “your” to “my” because you’re reporting what he asked me.)
Practical Tip:
When switching from direct to reported speech, always adjust the possessive pronouns based on the speaker and the person being spoken to. This helps make your reported speech sound natural and correct.
5. Common Mistakes with Reporting Verbs
Even though say, tell, and ask are common, ESL learners often make a few mistakes when using them. Let’s go over these mistakes to help you avoid them!
Mistake #1: Using “Tell” Without a Listener
One of the most common mistakes is using “tell” without mentioning who was told.
- Incorrect:
He told that he was busy. - Correct:
He told me (that) he was busy.
Tip: Always use “tell” with a listener. If there’s no listener, use “say” instead.
Mistake #2: Using “Say” When Reporting a Question
Many learners accidentally use “say” when reporting a question, but “ask” is the right verb for questions.
- Incorrect:
She said me if I was coming. - Correct:
She asked me if I was coming.
Tip: Use “ask” for any type of question. Reserve “say” for statements, not inquiries.
Mistake #3: Forgetting to Change Pronouns and Time Expressions
When reporting speech, learners sometimes forget to adjust pronouns or time expressions, which can make the sentence sound odd.
- Incorrect:
She said, “I will see you tomorrow,” but reported: She said she would see you tomorrow. - Correct:
She said she would see me the next day.
Tip: Always adjust pronouns and time expressions (like “tomorrow” or “yesterday”) to match the reporting context.
6. Quick Recap Table: Say, Tell, and Ask
| Reporting Verb | Form | Example | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Say | Say + (that) + reported speech | She said (that) she was happy. | Use when reporting what someone said, without needing a listener |
| Tell | Tell + someone + (that) + reported speech | He told me (that) he was leaving. | Use when reporting what someone said to someone (a listener is required) |
| Ask | Ask + someone + if/question word + reported speech | She asked if I was coming. | Use when reporting questions |
7. Conclusion: Reporting Verbs, Mastered!
Now that you’ve mastered say, tell, and ask, you’re ready to report speech with confidence and accuracy. Whether you’re summarizing a conversation, sharing what someone asked, or repeating a statement, you know exactly which reporting verb to use and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Remember:
- Use “say” when you’re reporting what was said, without needing to mention a listener.
- Use “tell” when reporting speech that was directed at someone specific (a listener is required).
- Use “ask” when reporting questions—whether yes/no questions or open-ended ones.
With these tips and examples, you’re ready to tackle reported speech like a pro. Keep practicing, and soon enough, reporting speech will be as easy as, well, saying it!