Is a 'that-clause' always a reported clause?

No. A 'that-clause' can function in other ways (e.g., as a subject: 'That he was late annoyed everyone'). It is only a reported clause when it is the object of a verb of reporting like 'say', 'think', or 'know'.

Do I always need 'that' to introduce a reported clause?

No. The conjunction 'that' is often omitted, especially in informal speech (e.g., 'He said he was tired'). However, it is usually included in formal writing or for clarity.

What is the difference between a reported clause for a statement and one for a question?

For statements, it is introduced by 'that' (optional). For 'wh-' questions, it is introduced by the same 'wh-' word (e.g., 'where', 'when'). For 'yes/no' questions, it is introduced by 'if' or 'whether'.

Can a reported clause be in the present tense?

Yes, if the reporting situation is still current or relevant, or if the reporting verb is in the present tense. For example: 'She says she is busy' (present reporting verb + present reported clause).

Is “reported clause” formal?

Reported clause is usually formal, technical (grammar) in register.

How do you pronounce “reported clause”?

Reported clause: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈpɔːtɪd klɔːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈpɔːrtɪd klɔːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

reported clause: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/rɪˈpɔːtɪd klɔːz/US/rɪˈpɔːrtɪd klɔːz/

Formal, Technical (Grammar)

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “reported clause” mean?

The part of a reported (indirect) speech sentence that contains the original statement or question being reported, typically introduced by a reporting verb like 'said', 'asked', or 'thought'.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The part of a reported (indirect) speech sentence that contains the original statement or question being reported, typically introduced by a reporting verb like 'said', 'asked', or 'thought'.

A subordinate clause that expresses the content of what someone said, thought, or asked, without using their exact words. It is a key grammatical component in transforming direct speech into indirect speech, often involving changes in pronouns, tense, and adverbs.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in definition or usage. Both varieties use the same grammatical terminology.

Connotations

Neutral, technical term in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally low-frequency in both, confined to grammar instruction and linguistic analysis.

Grammar

How to Use “reported clause” in a Sentence

Reporting Verb + (that) + Reported ClauseReporting Verb + wh-word + Reported ClauseReporting Verb + if/whether + Reported Clause

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

introduce a reported clausefollowed by a reported clauseembedded in a reported clause

medium

the tense in the reported clausethe word order of the reported clause

weak

long reported clauseshort reported clausecomplex reported clause

Examples

Examples of “reported clause” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The verb in the reported clause often shifts back a tense.
Can you identify the main verb in the reported clause?

American English

The verb in the reported clause needs to agree with the subject.
Always check the verb tense in the reported clause.

adverb

British English

The adverb 'then' is often changed to 'at that time' in the reported clause.
He said he would do it immediately, but the 'immediately' is inside the reported clause.

American English

Words like 'here' and 'now' are adjusted grammatically within the reported clause.
The time reference is expressed differently in the reported clause.

adjective

British English

The reported clause structure can be quite complex.
This is a typical reported clause example.

American English

The reported clause element is essential for indirect speech.
A lengthy reported clause can be confusing.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in training materials for business English, e.g., 'Practice shifting the reported clause when summarizing meetings.'

Academic

Common in linguistics and grammar textbooks for describing syntactic structures.

Everyday

Rarely used in everyday conversation; the concept is applied but the term itself is technical.

Technical

The standard term in grammar and language teaching for the subordinate clause in indirect speech.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “reported clause”

Neutral

indirect statement clausethat-clause (in context)content clause

Weak

indirect clausesubordinate clause in reported speech

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “reported clause”

direct speechquoted clause

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “reported clause”

Using 'reported speech' and 'reported clause' interchangeably. The clause is a part of the reported speech construction.
Forgetting to change the tense in the reported clause when the reporting verb is in the past (backshift).
Using question word order in a reported clause for a 'yes/no' question (e.g., 'She asked was I coming' instead of 'She asked if I was coming').

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. A 'that-clause' can function in other ways (e.g., as a subject: 'That he was late annoyed everyone'). It is only a reported clause when it is the object of a verb of reporting like 'say', 'think', or 'know'.
: No. The conjunction 'that' is often omitted, especially in informal speech (e.g., 'He said he was tired'). However, it is usually included in formal writing or for clarity.
: For statements, it is introduced by 'that' (optional). For 'wh-' questions, it is introduced by the same 'wh-' word (e.g., 'where', 'when'). For 'yes/no' questions, it is introduced by 'if' or 'whether'.
: Yes, if the reporting situation is still current or relevant, or if the reporting verb is in the present tense. For example: 'She says she is busy' (present reporting verb + present reported clause).
: The part of a reported (indirect) speech sentence that contains the original statement or question being reported, typically introduced by a reporting verb like 'said', 'asked', or 'thought'.
: Reported clause is usually formal, technical (grammar) in register.
: Reported clause: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈpɔːtɪd klɔːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈpɔːrtɪd klɔːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a NEWS REPORter. They don't give the exact quote; they REPORT what was said. The CLAUSE they construct is the REPORTED CLAUSE.

Conceptual Metaphor

REPORTING IS FILTERING (the original message passes through the filter of the reporter's perspective, changing its form).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In the sentence 'She mentioned that she might be late', the phrase '' is the reported clause.

Multiple Choice

What typically changes in a reported clause compared to direct speech?