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Estilo Indirecto en Pasado: How to Use Reported Speech in Past Tense in Spanish

When we want to report what someone said in the past, we use reported speech or “estilo indirecto en pasado” in Spanish. This is an essential grammar structure for retelling conversations, summarizing news, and sharing information in a natural way.
In direct speech, we quote a personโs exact words. But in reported speech, we modify the sentence to fit into our own narration, often shifting the verb tense into the past.
For example:
- Direct Speech: Marรญa dijo: โVoy al mercado.โ (Maria said, โIโm going to the market.โ)
- Reported Speech: Marรญa dijo que iba al mercado. (Maria said that she was going to the market.)
Notice how the verb voy (I go) in direct speech changes to iba (I was going) in reported speech. This tense shift is a key feature of reported speech in Spanish.
Mastering reported speech in past tense is crucial for storytelling, writing formal reports, and engaging in everyday conversations. Whether youโre discussing past events, quoting someoneโs opinion, or sharing a story, knowing how to use this structure correctly will help you sound more fluent and natural.
In this complete guide, weโll explore:
โ
Common expressions used in reported speech
โ
When and how to use reported speech in past tense
โ
Conjugation patterns for different tenses
โ
Grammar rules and tricky exceptions
โ
Examples and exercises to reinforce learning
By the end of this article, youโll have a strong command of estilo indirecto en pasado, making it easier to understand and use in real-life conversations. Letโs dive in!
Common Expressions in Reported Speech (Estilo Indirecto en Pasado)
Below are some commonly used expressions when reporting speech in the past. These phrases introduce reported statements and are frequently used in conversations and writing.
- Dijo queโฆ (He/She said thatโฆ)
- Comentรณ queโฆ (He/She commented thatโฆ)
- Explicรณ queโฆ (He/She explained thatโฆ)
- Asegurรณ queโฆ (He/She assured thatโฆ)
- Mencionรณ queโฆ (He/She mentioned thatโฆ)
- Respondiรณ queโฆ (He/She responded thatโฆ)
- Indicรณ queโฆ (He/She indicated thatโฆ)
- Afirmรณ queโฆ (He/She stated thatโฆ)
- Preguntรณ siโฆ (He/She asked ifโฆ)
- Quiso saber siโฆ (He/She wanted to know ifโฆ)
These phrases are used to introduce indirect speech before transitioning into the main statement, which is often modified into the past tense.
Usage of Reported Speech in Past Tense (Estilo Indirecto en Pasado)
Reported speech in past tense is used in several real-life situations where we need to relay information, retell conversations, or summarize past events. Below are the main cases where this grammar structure is commonly applied:
1. Reporting What Someone Said
When conveying what someone else has said without quoting them directly.
โ
Marรญa dijo que estaba cansada.
(Maria said that she was tired.)
2. Summarizing Conversations or News
When recounting past discussions or summarizing news reports.
โ
El presidente anunciรณ que habrรญa nuevos cambios en la economรญa.
(The president announced that there would be new changes in the economy.)
3. Retelling Stories or Events
When narrating events, especially in past storytelling.
โ
Mi abuelo me contรณ que en su juventud trabajaba en una fรกbrica.
(My grandfather told me that in his youth, he worked in a factory.)
4. Expressing Indirect Questions
When reporting questions without using the exact words of the speaker.
โ
Ella preguntรณ si รญbamos a la fiesta.
(She asked if we were going to the party.)
โ
Me preguntรณ quรฉ habรญa pasado ayer.
(He/She asked me what had happened yesterday.)
5. Giving Instructions Indirectly
When conveying commands or requests in an indirect manner.
โ
El profesor nos pidiรณ que entregรกramos la tarea a tiempo.
(The teacher asked us to submit the homework on time.)
โ
Mi mamรก me dijo que comprara leche en el supermercado.
(My mom told me to buy milk at the supermarket.)
6. Sharing Someoneโs Opinion
When expressing thoughts or opinions that someone else has shared.
โ
Juan mencionรณ que el libro era muy interesante.
(Juan mentioned that the book was very interesting.)
โ
Ella comentรณ que la pelรญcula no le habรญa gustado mucho.
(She commented that she didnโt like the movie very much.)
These are the most common situations where reported speech in past tense is used in Spanish. Understanding these cases will help you use this structure naturally in conversations and writing.
Conjugation in Reported Speech (Estilo Indirecto en Pasado)
When using reported speech in past tense in Spanish, the verb in the direct speech often shifts back to a past tense when reported. This change follows a predictable pattern.
Below is a table showing how verb tenses change when moving from direct speech to reported speech:
Direct Speech (Estilo Directo) | Reported Speech (Estilo Indirecto) | Example |
---|---|---|
Presente (Present) | Pretรฉrito imperfecto (Imperfect past) | Juan dice: “Tengo hambre.” โ Juan dijo que tenรญa hambre. (Juan said that he was hungry.) |
Pretรฉrito perfecto (Present perfect) | Pretรฉrito pluscuamperfecto (Past perfect) | Ana dijo: “He terminado mi tarea.” โ Ana dijo que habรญa terminado su tarea. (Ana said that she had finished her homework.) |
Pretรฉrito indefinido (Simple past) | Pretรฉrito pluscuamperfecto (Past perfect) | Pedro dijo: “Fui al cine.” โ Pedro dijo que habรญa ido al cine. (Pedro said that he had gone to the movies.) |
Futuro simple (Future simple) | Condicional simple (Simple conditional) | Clara dijo: “Irรฉ a la playa.” โ Clara dijo que irรญa a la playa. (Clara said that she would go to the beach.) |
Imperativo (Command form) | Subjuntivo imperfecto (Imperfect subjunctive) | รl dijo: “Ven aquรญ.” โ รl dijo que viniera allรญ. (He said to come there.) |
Additional Notes on Conjugation Shifts:
- If the original statement is already in the imperfect tense, the verb usually stays the same.
โ Ella dijo: “Cuando era niรฑa, jugaba mucho.”
โ Ella dijo que cuando era niรฑa, jugaba mucho. (No tense change needed.) - If the past perfect (pluscuamperfecto) is used in the direct speech, it remains the same.
โ รl dijo: “Habรญa visto esa pelรญcula.”
โ รl dijo que habรญa visto esa pelรญcula. - If the reporting verb is in the present tense, the tense shift does not necessarily happen.
โ Ella dice que viene maรฑana. (She says she is coming tomorrow.)
This pattern of backshifting verb tenses is essential to forming correct reported speech in past tense in Spanish.
Grammar Rules for Reported Speech in Past Tense (Estilo Indirecto en Pasado)
When using reported speech in past tense in Spanish, several important grammar rules must be followed. Below are the key guidelines to ensure correct usage.
1. The Reporting Verb is Usually in the Past
In reported speech, the verb that introduces the statement (such as dijo, mencionรณ, preguntรณ) is usually in the preterite or imperfect past tense.
โ
รl dijo que estaba cansado.
(He said that he was tired.)
โ
Marรญa comentรณ que le gustaba la mรบsica clรกsica.
(Maria commented that she liked classical music.)
2. The Verb in the Original Statement Often Shifts to the Past
When converting direct speech into reported speech, the verb in the reported statement usually moves one step back in time.
Direct Speech (Estilo Directo) | Reported Speech (Estilo Indirecto en Pasado) |
---|---|
Present โ Imperfect | “Tengo frรญo.” โ Dijo que tenรญa frรญo. |
Present Perfect โ Past Perfect | “He comido.” โ Dijo que habรญa comido. |
Preterite โ Past Perfect | “Fui a la playa.” โ Dijo que habรญa ido a la playa. |
Future โ Conditional | “Irรฉ al cine.” โ Dijo que irรญa al cine. |
However, if the reporting verb is in present tense, no change in tense is necessary.
โ รl dice que tiene frรญo. (He says that he is cold.)
3. Pronouns and Possessives May Change
Pronouns and possessive adjectives may need to be adjusted based on the new perspective of the speaker.
โ
Marรญa dijo: “Mi casa es grande.”
โก๏ธ Marรญa dijo que su casa era grande.
(Maria said that her house was big.)
โ
Carlos dijo: “Yo tengo hambre.”
โก๏ธ Carlos dijo que รฉl tenรญa hambre.
(Carlos said that he was hungry.)
4. Time and Place Expressions May Change
When reporting speech, time expressions often shift depending on when the conversation is reported.
Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
---|---|
Hoy (today) | Ese dรญa / Aquel dรญa (that day) |
Ayer (yesterday) | El dรญa anterior (the day before) |
Maรฑana (tomorrow) | Al dรญa siguiente (the next day) |
Aquรญ (here) | Allรญ (there) |
Este/esta (this) | Ese/esa/aquel/aquella (that) |
Example:
โ
Ana dijo: “Voy al mรฉdico maรฑana.”
โก๏ธ Ana dijo que iba al mรฉdico al dรญa siguiente.
(Ana said that she was going to the doctor the next day.)
5. Imperative (Commands) Change to the Imperfect Subjunctive
When reporting commands or requests, the imperative form changes to the imperfect subjunctive.
โ
El profesor dijo: “Estudien para el examen.”
โก๏ธ El profesor dijo que estudiaran para el examen.
(The teacher said that they should study for the exam.)
โ
Mi madre me dijo: “Llama a tu abuela.”
โก๏ธ Mi madre me dijo que llamara a mi abuela.
(My mother told me to call my grandmother.)
Things to Keep in Mind: Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Even advanced Spanish learners sometimes make errors when using reported speech in past tense. Below are some of the most common mistakes and tips to avoid them.
1. Forgetting to Adjust Pronouns and Possessives
โ
Correct: Pedro dijo que su hermano estaba enfermo.
โ Incorrect: Pedro dijo que mi hermano estaba enfermo. (This changes the meaning.)
๐ก Tip: Always adjust possessive adjectives (mi, tu, su, nuestro, etc.) and subject pronouns (yo, tรบ, รฉl, etc.) to match the new perspective of the reported sentence.
2. Incorrect Verb Tense Changes
โ
Correct: Ella dijo que estaba feliz. (She said she was happy.)
โ Incorrect: Ella dijo que estรก feliz. (This keeps the verb in the present, which is incorrect in most cases.)
๐ก Tip: When reporting speech in the past, shift the verb back one tense unless the context requires otherwise.
3. Not Changing Time Expressions
โ
Correct: Dijo que vendrรญa al dรญa siguiente. (He said he would come the next day.)
โ Incorrect: Dijo que vendrรญa maรฑana. (The sentence does not reflect that the speech was in the past.)
๐ก Tip: When reporting past conversations, words like hoy, maรฑana, ayer must change to reflect the new timeline (ese dรญa, al dรญa siguiente, el dรญa anterior).
4. Using the Infinitive Instead of the Subjunctive for Commands
โ
Correct: Me pidiรณ que hablara mรกs despacio. (He asked me to speak more slowly.)
โ Incorrect: Me pidiรณ hablar mรกs despacio. (Infinitive should not be used in reported commands.)
๐ก Tip: When reporting commands, use the imperfect subjunctive, not the infinitive.
5. Overcomplicating the Sentence
โ
Correct: Mi amigo dijo que iba a llegar tarde.
โ Incorrect: Mi amigo mencionรณ que en el transcurso del tiempo planificado de llegada, รฉl iba a arribar en un momento posterior. (Too complicated!)
๐ก Tip: Keep your sentences clear and natural. Avoid overly complex structures unless necessary.
6. Confusing “Si” and “Que” in Reported Questions
โ
Correct: Me preguntรณ si sabรญa nadar. (He asked me if I knew how to swim.)
โ Incorrect: Me preguntรณ que sabรญa nadar. (Que does not work with indirect yes/no questions.)
๐ก Tip: Use โsiโ when reporting yes/no questions. Use question words (quรฉ, cuรกndo, dรณnde, por quรฉ, cรณmo, etc.) for open-ended questions.
7. Forgetting to Use the Conditional for Future Tense
โ
Correct: Ella dijo que viajarรญa a Espaรฑa el prรณximo verano. (She said she would travel to Spain next summer.)
โ Incorrect: Ella dijo que viajarรก a Espaรฑa el prรณximo verano. (Viajarรก should change to viajarรญa.)
๐ก Tip: When reporting future statements, the future tense (irรก, harรก, dirรก, etc.) changes to the conditional (irรญa, harรญa, dirรญa, etc.).
By keeping these common mistakes in mind and applying these practical tips, youโll use reported speech in past tense with greater accuracy and confidence.
Example Sentences: Direct Speech & Reported Speech in Past Tense
Below are 20 examples demonstrating how to correctly transform direct speech (estilo directo) into reported speech (estilo indirecto en pasado) in Spanish. Each example includes an English translation for the reported speech sentence.
Statements (Oraciones enunciativas)
1๏ธโฃ Direct: Juan dijo: “Estoy cansado.”
Reported: Juan dijo que estaba cansado. (Juan said that he was tired.)
2๏ธโฃ Direct: Ana comentรณ: “He terminado mi tarea.”
Reported: Ana comentรณ que habรญa terminado su tarea. (Ana commented that she had finished her homework.)
3๏ธโฃ Direct: Carlos mencionรณ: “Fui a Madrid el mes pasado.”
Reported: Carlos mencionรณ que habรญa ido a Madrid el mes anterior. (Carlos mentioned that he had gone to Madrid the previous month.)
4๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi amigo dijo: “Irรฉ a la playa maรฑana.”
Reported: Mi amigo dijo que irรญa a la playa al dรญa siguiente. (My friend said that he would go to the beach the next day.)
5๏ธโฃ Direct: El profesor explicรณ: “Los exรกmenes son difรญciles.”
Reported: El profesor explicรณ que los exรกmenes eran difรญciles. (The teacher explained that the exams were difficult.)
Questions (Preguntas indirectas)
6๏ธโฃ Direct: Marta preguntรณ: “ยฟDรณnde estรกn mis llaves?”
Reported: Marta preguntรณ dรณnde estaban sus llaves. (Marta asked where her keys were.)
7๏ธโฃ Direct: Pedro preguntรณ: “ยฟCuรกndo empieza la pelรญcula?”
Reported: Pedro preguntรณ cuรกndo empezaba la pelรญcula. (Pedro asked when the movie started.)
8๏ธโฃ Direct: Me preguntaron: “ยฟHas visto la nueva serie?”
Reported: Me preguntaron si habรญa visto la nueva serie. (They asked me if I had seen the new series.)
9๏ธโฃ Direct: Juan preguntรณ: “ยฟVendrรกs a la fiesta?”
Reported: Juan preguntรณ si vendrรญa a la fiesta. (Juan asked if I would come to the party.)
๐ Direct: Mi madre me preguntรณ: “ยฟPor quรฉ llegaste tarde?”
Reported: Mi madre me preguntรณ por quรฉ habรญa llegado tarde. (My mother asked me why I had arrived late.)
Commands & Requests (รrdenes y peticiones)
1๏ธโฃ1๏ธโฃ Direct: El profesor dijo: “Estudien mรกs.”
Reported: El profesor dijo que estudiaran mรกs. (The teacher said that they should study more.)
1๏ธโฃ2๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi padre me dijo: “Limpia tu habitaciรณn.”
Reported: Mi padre me dijo que limpiara mi habitaciรณn. (My father told me to clean my room.)
1๏ธโฃ3๏ธโฃ Direct: Ella me pidiรณ: “No hables tan fuerte.”
Reported: Ella me pidiรณ que no hablara tan fuerte. (She asked me not to speak so loudly.)
1๏ธโฃ4๏ธโฃ Direct: El jefe ordenรณ: “Terminen el informe hoy.”
Reported: El jefe ordenรณ que terminaran el informe ese dรญa. (The boss ordered them to finish the report that day.)
1๏ธโฃ5๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi amigo me dijo: “Llรกmame cuando llegues.”
Reported: Mi amigo me dijo que lo llamara cuando llegara. (My friend told me to call him when I arrived.)
Opinions & Thoughts (Opiniones y pensamientos)
1๏ธโฃ6๏ธโฃ Direct: Carlos dijo: “Creo que este libro es interesante.”
Reported: Carlos dijo que creรญa que ese libro era interesante. (Carlos said that he thought that book was interesting.)
1๏ธโฃ7๏ธโฃ Direct: El profesor mencionรณ: “Los estudiantes han mejorado mucho.”
Reported: El profesor mencionรณ que los estudiantes habรญan mejorado mucho. (The teacher mentioned that the students had improved a lot.)
1๏ธโฃ8๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi hermana comentรณ: “No me gusta el chocolate.”
Reported: Mi hermana comentรณ que no le gustaba el chocolate. (My sister commented that she didnโt like chocolate.)
1๏ธโฃ9๏ธโฃ Direct: Ellos dijeron: “No tenemos tiempo para ir al cine.”
Reported: Ellos dijeron que no tenรญan tiempo para ir al cine. (They said that they didnโt have time to go to the movies.)
2๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃ Direct: Marรญa dijo: “Voy a aprender francรฉs.”
Reported: Marรญa dijo que iba a aprender francรฉs. (Marรญa said that she was going to learn French.)
These examples illustrate how to correctly convert direct speech into reported speech in past tense in Spanish.
Exercise: Fill in the Blanks (Reported Speech in Past Tense)
Instructions:
Transform the direct speech into reported speech (estilo indirecto en pasado) by filling in the blanks with the correct verb form and necessary adjustments.
Fill in the blanks:
1๏ธโฃ Direct: Ana dijo: “Estoy muy ocupada hoy.”
Reported: Ana dijo que __________ muy ocupada __________.
2๏ธโฃ Direct: Juan comentรณ: “Voy a viajar a Argentina el prรณximo mes.”
Reported: Juan comentรณ que __________ a viajar a Argentina __________.
3๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi madre me preguntรณ: “ยฟDรณnde guardaste las llaves?”
Reported: Mi madre me preguntรณ dรณnde __________ las llaves.
4๏ธโฃ Direct: El profesor explicรณ: “La Tierra gira alrededor del Sol.”
Reported: El profesor explicรณ que la Tierra __________ alrededor del Sol.
5๏ธโฃ Direct: Carlos mencionรณ: “He terminado el informe.”
Reported: Carlos mencionรณ que __________ terminado el informe.
6๏ธโฃ Direct: Ella preguntรณ: “ยฟCuรกndo empieza la pelรญcula?”
Reported: Ella preguntรณ cuรกndo __________ la pelรญcula.
7๏ธโฃ Direct: El jefe dijo: “No quiero retrasos en el proyecto.”
Reported: El jefe dijo que no __________ retrasos en el proyecto.
8๏ธโฃ Direct: Pedro me dijo: “Maรฑana tengo una reuniรณn importante.”
Reported: Pedro me dijo que al dรญa siguiente __________ una reuniรณn importante.
9๏ธโฃ Direct: Luis afirmรณ: “Mis padres estรกn de vacaciones.”
Reported: Luis afirmรณ que sus padres __________ de vacaciones.
๐ Direct: El entrenador ordenรณ: “Practiquen todos los dรญas.”
Reported: El entrenador ordenรณ que __________ todos los dรญas.
1๏ธโฃ1๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi amigo me dijo: “Llama a tu hermana cuando llegues.”
Reported: Mi amigo me dijo que __________ a mi hermana cuando __________.
1๏ธโฃ2๏ธโฃ Direct: El camarero preguntรณ: “ยฟDesean algo mรกs?”
Reported: El camarero preguntรณ si __________ algo mรกs.
1๏ธโฃ3๏ธโฃ Direct: Marรญa comentรณ: “Me gusta mucho este restaurante.”
Reported: Marรญa comentรณ que le __________ mucho ese restaurante.
1๏ธโฃ4๏ธโฃ Direct: Los estudiantes dijeron: “No entendemos la lecciรณn.”
Reported: Los estudiantes dijeron que no __________ la lecciรณn.
1๏ธโฃ5๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi hermana me dijo: “Haz la cena temprano.”
Reported: Mi hermana me dijo que __________ la cena temprano.
1๏ธโฃ6๏ธโฃ Direct: Ellos dijeron: “No podemos asistir a la reuniรณn.”
Reported: Ellos dijeron que no __________ asistir a la reuniรณn.
1๏ธโฃ7๏ธโฃ Direct: Marta preguntรณ: “ยฟQuรฉ hora es?”
Reported: Marta preguntรณ quรฉ hora __________.
1๏ธโฃ8๏ธโฃ Direct: El profesor advirtiรณ: “No hablen durante el examen.”
Reported: El profesor advirtiรณ que no __________ durante el examen.
1๏ธโฃ9๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi madre me pidiรณ: “Ayรบdame con las bolsas.”
Reported: Mi madre me pidiรณ que la __________ con las bolsas.
2๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃ Direct: Luis me dijo: “Voy a aprender italiano este aรฑo.”
Reported: Luis me dijo que __________ a aprender italiano ese aรฑo.
Answer Key: Reported Speech in Past Tense
Here are the correct answers for the 20 fill-in-the-blank exercises. The transformed reported speech sentences include the necessary verb changes, pronoun adjustments, and time expression modifications.
Answers:
1๏ธโฃ Direct: Ana dijo: “Estoy muy ocupada hoy.”
Reported: Ana dijo que estaba muy ocupada ese dรญa.
2๏ธโฃ Direct: Juan comentรณ: “Voy a viajar a Argentina el prรณximo mes.”
Reported: Juan comentรณ que iba a viajar a Argentina el mes siguiente.
3๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi madre me preguntรณ: “ยฟDรณnde guardaste las llaves?”
Reported: Mi madre me preguntรณ dรณnde habรญa guardado las llaves.
4๏ธโฃ Direct: El profesor explicรณ: “La Tierra gira alrededor del Sol.”
Reported: El profesor explicรณ que la Tierra gira alrededor del Sol. (General truths do not change tense.)
5๏ธโฃ Direct: Carlos mencionรณ: “He terminado el informe.”
Reported: Carlos mencionรณ que habรญa terminado el informe.
6๏ธโฃ Direct: Ella preguntรณ: “ยฟCuรกndo empieza la pelรญcula?”
Reported: Ella preguntรณ cuรกndo empezaba la pelรญcula.
7๏ธโฃ Direct: El jefe dijo: “No quiero retrasos en el proyecto.”
Reported: El jefe dijo que no querรญa retrasos en el proyecto.
8๏ธโฃ Direct: Pedro me dijo: “Maรฑana tengo una reuniรณn importante.”
Reported: Pedro me dijo que al dรญa siguiente tenรญa una reuniรณn importante.
9๏ธโฃ Direct: Luis afirmรณ: “Mis padres estรกn de vacaciones.”
Reported: Luis afirmรณ que sus padres estaban de vacaciones.
๐ Direct: El entrenador ordenรณ: “Practiquen todos los dรญas.”
Reported: El entrenador ordenรณ que practicaran todos los dรญas.
1๏ธโฃ1๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi amigo me dijo: “Llama a tu hermana cuando llegues.”
Reported: Mi amigo me dijo que llamara a mi hermana cuando llegara.
1๏ธโฃ2๏ธโฃ Direct: El camarero preguntรณ: “ยฟDesean algo mรกs?”
Reported: El camarero preguntรณ si deseaban algo mรกs.
1๏ธโฃ3๏ธโฃ Direct: Marรญa comentรณ: “Me gusta mucho este restaurante.”
Reported: Marรญa comentรณ que le gustaba mucho ese restaurante.
1๏ธโฃ4๏ธโฃ Direct: Los estudiantes dijeron: “No entendemos la lecciรณn.”
Reported: Los estudiantes dijeron que no entendรญan la lecciรณn.
1๏ธโฃ5๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi hermana me dijo: “Haz la cena temprano.”
Reported: Mi hermana me dijo que hiciera la cena temprano.
1๏ธโฃ6๏ธโฃ Direct: Ellos dijeron: “No podemos asistir a la reuniรณn.”
Reported: Ellos dijeron que no podรญan asistir a la reuniรณn.
1๏ธโฃ7๏ธโฃ Direct: Marta preguntรณ: “ยฟQuรฉ hora es?”
Reported: Marta preguntรณ quรฉ hora era.
1๏ธโฃ8๏ธโฃ Direct: El profesor advirtiรณ: “No hablen durante el examen.”
Reported: El profesor advirtiรณ que no hablaran durante el examen.
1๏ธโฃ9๏ธโฃ Direct: Mi madre me pidiรณ: “Ayรบdame con las bolsas.”
Reported: Mi madre me pidiรณ que la ayudara con las bolsas.
2๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃ Direct: Luis me dijo: “Voy a aprender italiano este aรฑo.”
Reported: Luis me dijo que iba a aprender italiano ese aรฑo.
With these answers, you can now check your understanding of reported speech in past tense (estilo indirecto en pasado).
Summary: Key Takeaways on Reported Speech in Past Tense (Estilo Indirecto en Pasado)
Here are the most important points covered in this blog:
โ Reported speech (estilo indirecto) is used when relaying what someone said in the past. It often requires changes in verb tenses, pronouns, and time expressions.
โ Common reporting verbs include decir (to say, to tell), comentar (to comment), preguntar (to ask), mencionar (to mention), explicar (to explain), afirmar (to affirm), pedir (to request), ordenar (to order).
โ Changes in verb tenses: When reporting speech in the past, verbs usually shift back one tense:
- Presente โ Imperfecto (Estoy cansado โ Dijo que estaba cansado.)
- Pretรฉrito โ Pluscuamperfecto (Comรญ temprano โ Dijo que habรญa comido temprano.)
- Futuro โ Condicional (Irรฉ maรฑana โ Dijo que irรญa al dรญa siguiente.)
โ General truths (hechos generales) do not change tense in reported speech.
- El profesor dijo: “El agua hierve a 100 grados.”
- El profesor dijo que el agua hierve a 100 grados. (No cambia porque es una verdad universal.)
โ Pronoun and possessive changes: When shifting from direct to reported speech, pronouns may change based on the subjectโs perspective.
- Pedro dijo: “Voy a mi casa.”
- Pedro dijo que iba a su casa.
โ Changes in time expressions:
- hoy โ ese dรญa
- maรฑana โ al dรญa siguiente
- ayer โ el dรญa anterior
- este aรฑo โ ese aรฑo
- la prรณxima semana โ la semana siguiente
โ Changes in commands and requests:
- Affirmative commands shift to the subjunctive (pretรฉrito imperfecto de subjuntivo).
- Mi madre dijo: “Haz la tarea.”
- Mi madre dijo que hiciera la tarea.
- Negative commands follow the same rule.
- El profesor dijo: “No hablen.”
- El profesor dijo que no hablaran.
โ Questions in reported speech: When reporting yes/no questions, si is used:
- Juan preguntรณ: “ยฟTienes hambre?”
- Juan preguntรณ si tenรญa hambre.
โ WH-questions keep the question word but follow normal verb shifts:
- Ana preguntรณ: “ยฟDรณnde vives?”
- Ana preguntรณ dรณnde vivรญa.
Conclusion: Mastering Reported Speech in Past Tense
Now that you’ve learned how to use reported speech in past tense (estilo indirecto en pasado) in Spanish, you can confidently transform direct speech into indirect speech while maintaining clarity and correctness. Understanding verb tense shifts, pronoun changes, and time expressions is essential for mastering this concept.
To improve, practice regularly by transforming direct speech into reported speech in different contexts. Try listening to conversations, news reports, or reading stories and rewriting them in estilo indirecto. This will help you become more fluent in recognizing and applying these grammar rules naturally.
๐ก Ready to test your skills? Try the exercises in this blog and check your answers. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section!
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Donโt forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! ๐
๐ Continue Learning Spanish
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