PrepMyFrench
Last updated: August 3, 2026
In the TEF and TCF Speaking Section B (Convincing a friend) and Writing Section B (Formal letters), you will almost always find yourself wanting to quote someone else.
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To express this in French, you cannot simply translate word-for-word. You need Le Discours Rapporté (Reported Speech).
Mistakes in reported speech (tense shifting) are high-penalty traps for advanced candidates. Master these 3 simple shift rules, and you will elevate your score instantly.
If you are reporting something someone said in the present tense, and your reporting verb (dire, affirmer, expliquer) is in the absolute past, the quoted verb must shift to the Imparfait.
Il dit : "Je suis fatigué." (He says: "I am tired")Il a dit qu'il **était** fatigué. (He said he was tired)“Présent $\rightarrow$ Imparfait
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If someone promises something in the Future tense, and you report it in the past, the verb shifts to the Conditionnel Présent.
Elle affirme : "Je viendrai demain." (She asserts: "I will come tomorrow")Elle a affirmé qu'elle **viendrait** le lendemain. (She asserted she would come the next day)“Futur Simple $\rightarrow$ Conditionnel Présent
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Notice how demain (tomorrow) changed to le lendemain (the next day)? Spatial and temporal words shift too:
When reporting questions, the structure changes entirely. You NEVER use inversion.
"Est-ce que tu viens ?" (Are you coming?)Il a demandé **si** je venais. (He asked if I was coming)"Où vas-tu ?" (Where are you going?)Il a demandé **où** j'allais. (He asked where I was going)Join 15,000+ candidates efficiently preparing with our AI-powered simulator.
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To use reported speech effectively:
que/si connector securely.Add a couple of reported speech structures to your formal letters or speaking arguments to instantly display full C1 control index benchmarks securely!