UrbanPro
true

Take Class I-V Tuition from the Best Tutors

  • Affordable fees
  • 1-1 or Group class
  • Flexible Timings
  • Verified Tutors

Search in

Reported speech

T
Trisha C.
03/01/2017 0 0

We use reported speech when we are saying what other people say, think or believe.

  • He says he wants it.
  • We think you are right.
  • I believe he loves her.
  • Yesterday you said you didn't like it but now you do!
  • She told me he had asked her to marry him.
  • I told you she was ill.
  • We thought he was in Australia.

When we are reporting things in the present, future or present perfect we don't change the tense.

  • He thinks he loves her.
  • I'll tell her you are coming.
  • He has said he'll do it.

When we tell people what someone has said in the past, we generally make the tense 'more in the past'.

  • You look very nice. = I told him he looked very nice.
  • He's working in Siberia now. = She told me he was working in Siberia now.
  • Polly has bought a new car. = She said Polly had bought a new car.
  • Jo can't come for the weekend. = She said Jo couldn't come for the weekend.
  • Paul called and left a message. = He told me Paul had called and had left me a message.
  • I'll give you a hand. = He said he would give me a hand.

However, when we are reporting something that was said in the past but is still true, it is not obligatory to make the tense 'more in the past'. The choice is up to the speaker. For example:

"The train doesn't stop here."

  • He said the train doesn't stop here.
  • He said the train didn't stop here.

"I like Sarah."

  • She said she likes Sarah.
  • She said she liked Sarah.

When we are reporting what was said, we sometimes have to change other words in the sentence.

We have to change the pronoun if we are reporting what someone else said. Compare these two sentences. In each case the person actually said "I don't want to go."

  • I said I didn't want to go.
  • Bill said he didn't want to go.

We have to change words referring to 'here and now' if we are reporting what was said in a different place or time.
Compare these two sentences. In each case the person actually said "I'll be there at ten tomorrow."

  • (If it is later the same day) He said he would be there at ten tomorrow.
  • (If it is the next day) He said he would be there at ten today.

Now compare these two sentences.

  • (If we are in a different place) He said he would be there tomorrow at ten.
  • (If we are in the place he is coming to) He said he would be here at ten tomorrow.

 

0 Dislike
Follow 1

Please Enter a comment

Submit

Other Lessons for You

English: Substitution Of Words With Meanings
1. Audience: A number of people listening to a lecture. 2. Altruist: One, who considers the happiness and well-being of others first. 3. Atheist: A person who does not believe in God. 4. Anthropologist:...
A

Atharva

0 0
0

Some Divisibility Rules
All numbers divisible by 2 are even. Divisiility by 2: A number is divisible by two if it has 0,2,4,6,8, at its ones place. Divisiility by 3: A number is divisible by 3, if the sum of its digits is divisible...

To Improve Or Build Up Your Vocabulary.
One of the best ways to improve or build up vocabulary is to write or use one-word substitutes for the given phrase. It is very important to write precisely and speak in a single word. Like the word...

English: Conjunctive Verb
Conjunctive adverb: Conjunctive adverbs are words that join independent clauses into one sentence. A conjunctive adverb helps you create a shorter sentence. When you use a conjunctive adverb, put a semicolon...
A

Atharva

1 0
0

Building own study notes
My philosophy has always been in support of active learning by encouraging students to build their own set of study notes u. Many of my students have secured good marks by creating their own notes .I...

Rudhan S.

0 0
0
X

Looking for Class I-V Tuition Classes?

The best tutors for Class I-V Tuition Classes are on UrbanPro

  • Select the best Tutor
  • Book & Attend a Free Demo
  • Pay and start Learning

Take Class I-V Tuition with the Best Tutors

The best Tutors for Class I-V Tuition Classes are on UrbanPro

This website uses cookies

We use cookies to improve user experience. Choose what cookies you allow us to use. You can read more about our Cookie Policy in our Privacy Policy

Accept All
Decline All

UrbanPro.com is India's largest network of most trusted tutors and institutes. Over 55 lakh students rely on UrbanPro.com, to fulfill their learning requirements across 1,000+ categories. Using UrbanPro.com, parents, and students can compare multiple Tutors and Institutes and choose the one that best suits their requirements. More than 7.5 lakh verified Tutors and Institutes are helping millions of students every day and growing their tutoring business on UrbanPro.com. Whether you are looking for a tutor to learn mathematics, a German language trainer to brush up your German language skills or an institute to upgrade your IT skills, we have got the best selection of Tutors and Training Institutes for you. Read more