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Reported Speech (le Discours Indirect)

Transform direct speech into reported speech applying the correct sequence of tenses and pronoun shifts.
Reported speech (discours indirect) transforms a direct quote into an embedded clause using que or si.
Reported speech uses que or si to embed the clause.
Discours indirect
Il dit: 'Je suis fatigué' → Il dit qu'il est fatigué
When the reporting verb is in the present tense verb tenses in the reported clause do not change.
Present reporting verb = no tense shift needed.
Il dit qu'il est malade (present stays present)
When the reporting verb is in the past tense verb tenses shift back one step.
Past reporting verb = tenses shift back.
Concordance des temps
Il a dit qu'il était fatigué (present → imparfait)
Tense backshifts: present → imparfait / passé composé → plus-que-parfait / futur → conditionnel.
The tense shift rules for reported speech.
présent → imparfait
Report yes/no questions using si (if/whether): Il a demandé si tu venais.
Yes/no questions → si in reported speech.
Il a demandé: 'Tu viens?' → Il a demandé si tu venais
Report information questions keeping the question word but changing word order back to normal.
Wh-questions keep question word but normal word order.
Il a demandé où tu habitais / ce que tu faisais
Pronouns shift in reported speech: je → il/elle tu → je etc. depending on who is speaking.
Pronouns shift to reflect the new speaker/listener.
Il a dit: 'Je pars' → Il a dit qu'il partait
Time expressions also shift: aujourd'hui → ce jour-là demain → le lendemain hier → la veille maintenant → alors.
Time expressions shift in reported speech.
aujourd'hui → ce jour-là
Report commands using de + infinitive after the reporting verb.
Commands reported with de + infinitive.
Il m'a dit: 'Pars!' → Il m'a dit de partir
Report with verbs of saying asking thinking: dire demander expliquer affirmer penser croire répondre.
Variety of reporting verbs for nuance.
Elle a affirmé que... / Il a expliqué que... / Ils ont répondu que...