Unit 4: Reporter Speech

Direct speech - Reported speech

 

Present simple - past simple

I play - I played

Present continuous - past continuous

I'm playing - I was playing

Present perfect simple - past perfect simple

I have played - I had played

Past simple - past perfect simple

I played - I had played

Will - would

I will play - I would play

Can - Could

I can play - I could play

Must - Had to

I must play - I had to play

When we convert direct speech into reported speech.

Reported statements: other changes

When we convert direct speech into reported speech:

 

-Most modal verbs do not change: should, could, would, might, ought to..

 

-Pronouns usually change.

 

-Expressions of time and place usually change:

 

Direct speech - Reported speech

Here - There

This - That

These - Those

Now - Then

Next week - The following week

Today - That day

Tonight - That night

Tomorrow - The following day

Yesterday - The day before

Last week - The week before

Reported commands and requests

Commands: Tell + object + infinitive (with to) 

Request: Ask + object + infinitive (with to)

 Negative command or request in reported speech:

Subject + verb + object + not + infinitive (with to)