Reported Speech
Reported Speech
Reported Speech
Focus on Grammar 4 Part X, Unit 26 By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.`
Indirect Speech 1
When the reporting verb is in the simple past, the verb tense in the indirect speech statement often changes.
Direct Speech
Indirect Speech Simple Past Past Progressive Past Perfect Past Perfect
Simple Present
Examples 1
The teacher is strict. She said the teacher was strict.
Examples 2
Somebody put the final exam on the Internet. She said somebody had put the final exam on the Internet.
Practice 1
Example:
My friend is helping me study. She said She said her friend was helping her study. 1. The library is closed. He said He said the library was closed. 2. We have registered for classes. They said They said they had registered for classes. 3. She got an A on the test. You said You said she had gotten an A on the test.
Indirect Speech 2
Modals often change in indirect speech.
Indirect Speech
would
could might had to
may
must
Examples 1
The test will be difficult. He said the test would be difficult.
Examples 2
We may have a substitute teacher. She said we might have a substitute teacher.
Practice 2
Example:
You can relax about the exam. She said She said I could relax about the exam. 1. Well help you with your homework. They said They said they would help me with my homework. 2. Anna must finish her paper. He said He said Anna had to finish her paper. 3. She may take a different class. You said You said she might take a different class.
Indirect Speech 3
The following modals do not change in indirect speech: should, could, might, and ought to.
You shouldnt tell this secret to anyone. She said I shouldnt tell this secret to anyone.
Indirect Speech 4
The following do not change in indirect speech: the past perfect, the present and past unreal conditional, and past modals. If I had have studied, I would Icould thought I had chosen I gotten help have gotten an A. the easy from ateacher. tutor. He He said said if he he could had studied, have gotten he thought he had would help have from gotten a teacher. tutor. an A. chosen the easy
Practice 3
References
Copyright 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.