Are you ready to take your English grammar skills to the next level?
In this post, we’ll dive into the thrilling story of The Mysterious Letter,
where Detective Clara Langford uncovers secrets and solves a case using reported speech.
This engaging ESL lesson combines storytelling with grammar practice to make learning fun and effective.
If you’ve ever wondered how to correctly use phrases like "She said she had seen something suspicious" or "He told me he would call tomorrow",
this is the perfect lesson for you.
Whether you’re an intermediate English learner or an advanced student looking to sharpen your skills, this guide will help you master reported speech with ease.
Let's learn Reported Speech With Engaging Stories
a. The Story
Detective Clara Langford had solved many strange cases in her career, but this one started with an unusual clue—a letter sent anonymously to her office.
The letter read:
"Detective Langford, I must warn you. There is something hidden in the Old Town library. The librarian said she had noticed people acting suspiciously.
She mentioned they whispered about a 'hidden room.'
Another person claimed he had seen shadows moving at night. Be cautious."
The next day, Clara showed the letter to her assistant, Alex. "Whoever wrote this letter is asking for my help," Clara said, "but they haven’t left their name."
The investigation began. Clara decided to question the librarian mentioned in the letter.
At the library:
Clara asked, "Did you notice anything strange recently?"
The librarian replied, "I told someone last week that I had seen a man sneaking into the archives after hours."
Clara noted, She said she had seen a man sneaking into the archives.
Next, Clara questioned a young woman reading by the window. "Have you heard anything unusual about this library?"
The woman answered, "I heard that someone claimed he had found a map hidden inside a book."
Clara recorded, She said someone had claimed he had found a map.
The clues were coming together, but something still felt off. Clara re-read the mysterious letter. Then, something clicked.
A Breakthrough
Clara called Alex. "The person who sent the letter said they must warn me. It’s possible they’re involved. Whoever wrote it knows too much."
Alex suggested, "Maybe we can compare the handwriting to library records."
They found a match. The writer of the mysterious letter was... the librarian!
When confronted, the librarian confessed. "I didn’t mean any harm.
I just wanted to draw attention to the secret room—it holds rare manuscripts. I thought the mystery would bring people back to the library!"
Clara laughed. "Well, you succeeded. But next time, try a simpler approach!"
b. Language Focus: Reported Speech
What is Reported Speech?
Reported speech is used to tell someone what another person said, without quoting their exact words.
For example:
- Direct Speech: Clara said, "I will solve the case."
- Reported Speech: Clara said she would solve the case.
c. How to Form Reported Speech
1. Change the Pronouns and Tenses
- Direct: "I saw a man in the archives."
- Reported: She said she *had seen* a man in the archives.
2. Time Words Often Change
- Direct: "I will do it tomorrow."
- Reported: She said she *would do it the next day.*
3. No Quotation Marks
- Remove the quotation marks and use "that" (optional).
- Example: She said (that) she was ready.
Key Verb Changes in Reported Speech
Direct Speech Verb Reported Speech Verb
present simple →past simple
present continuous →past continuous
past simple →past perfect
will →would
c. Comprehension Questions
Understanding the Story
1. Who sent the mysterious letter to Detective Clara Langford?
2. What did the librarian say she had seen in the library?
3. Why did the librarian send the letter anonymously?
d. Reported Speech Practice
Rewrite the following sentences in reported speech:
- Clara asked, "Did you notice anything strange recently?"
- The woman said, "I heard someone found a map hidden in a book."
e. Critical Thinking
1. If you were Clara, what clues would you focus on in this case?
2. Why do you think the librarian used mystery to attract attention to the library?
f. Vocabulary Activities
Word Match
Match the words on the left with their meanings on the right:
1. Archive a. To admit something, especially a wrongdoing
2. Manuscript b. A collection of historical documents or records
3. Suspicious c. Written or typed documents, often old or rare
4. Confess d. Feeling or showing doubt about someone's intentions
(Answers) 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a
g. Fill in the Blanks
Use these words in the blanks: claimed, warned, noticed, cautious
1. Clara always remained _______ when investigating mysteries.
2. The letter _______ Clara about something hidden in the library.
3. The woman _______ she had heard about a map inside a book.
4. The librarian _______ shadows moving at night.
h. Reported Speech Practice with Clues
Complete these sentences in reported speech:
- The librarian said, "I noticed someone sneaking into the archives."
→ The librarian said she _______ someone sneaking into the archives.
- The woman said, "I heard about a hidden room."
→ The woman said she _______ about a hidden room.
i. Correct the Errors
The following sentences have errors in reported speech.
Correct them:
i) Clara said that she will investigate the case.
ii) He told me he seen shadows moving at night.
iii) The woman said, "I am heard about a secret room."
(Answers)
i) Clara said that she would investigate the case.
ii) He told me he had seen shadows moving at night.
iii) The woman said she had heard about a secret room.
j. Expand the Story
Imagine you are one of the library visitors. Write your own dialogue in direct speech and convert it into reported speech.
Example:
Direct: "I saw someone leaving the archives with an old book."
Reported: She said she had seen someone leaving the archives with an old book.
k. Spot the Tense Change
Identify the tense change in these reported speech examples:
i) He said, "I will help you tomorrow."
ii) She said, "I am reading about the case."
iii) They said, "We saw the strange man yesterday."
(Answers) will → would, am reading → was reading, saw → had seen
We hope you've enjoyed reading the story and practising the exercises.
Learning grammar doesn't have to be dull! Through the story of The Mysterious Letter, you’ve explored how reported speech can bring English lessons to life.
By practicing with engaging examples and solving mysteries alongside Detective Clara Langford, you’re not just mastering grammar—you’re making it part of your everyday communication.
TIP!
Don’t stop here! Practice converting more direct speech into reported speech using everyday conversations or your favorite stories.
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Happy learning!
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