Understanding Reported Speech in Russian

Let’s talk about something called reported speech. This is when we share what someone else said. To do this, we need to use some special words called introductory verbs.

These verbs help us change direct speech (what someone said directly) into indirect speech (what we report).

Common Introductory Verbs:

1. сказать (to say)
2. спросить (to ask)
3. попросить (to request)
4. заявить (to declare)

How Sentences Change:

• Changing the Verb Tense:

  We usually need to change the verb to an earlier time.

  • Direct Speech: Он говорит: "Я читаю книгу."
    (He says: "I am reading a book.")

  • Reported Speech: Он сказал, что он читал книгу.
    (He said that he read a book.)

• Changing Pronouns:

  We also need to change the pronouns. This helps us match who is speaking.

  • Direct Speech: Она сказала: "Я устала."
    (She says: "I’m tired.")

  • Reported Speech: Она сказала, что она устала.
    (She said that she is tired.)

Examples to Practice:

1. Direct Speech: Она спрашивает: "Ты придешь?"
   (She asks: "Will you come?")

   • Reported Speech: Она спросила, придешь ли ты.
     (She asked if you would come.)

2. Direct Speech: Он говорит: "Я буду работать."
   (He says: "I will work.")

   • Reported Speech: Он сказал, что он будет работать.
     (He said that he will work.)

By using these introductory verbs and knowing how to change the sentences, you can easily turn direct speech into reported speech in Russian!