Indirect Speech:Tense ChangesIndirect Speech:Tense Changes

Rumors and Gossip

10

Focus on Grammar 4Part X, Unit 26By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ WellsCopyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.`

Larisa said that the new teacher had given all the

students an A last semester.

Larisa said that the new teacher had given all the

students an A last semester.

Really! Viktor told me that

students could eat in his class.

Really! Viktor told me that

students could eat in his class.

No, what is it?No, what is it?

Rumors and GossipRumors and Gossip

Have you heard the latest gossip

about the new teacher?

Have you heard the latest gossip

about the new teacher?

Wow! Yeah, I heard he was

an easy teacher.

Wow! Yeah, I heard he was

an easy teacher.

Maria said that the new teacher didn’t give any

homework.

Maria said that the new teacher didn’t give any

homework.

Indirect Speech 1Indirect 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 Present

Present Progressive

Simple Past Tense

Present Perfect

Simple Past

Past Progressive

Past Perfect

Past Perfect

Examples 1Examples 1

“The teacher

is strict.”

“The teacher

is strict.”

She said the teacher was strict.

She said the teacher was strict.

“The teacher is giving

everyone an A.”

“The teacher is giving

everyone an A.”

He said the

teacher was

giving everyone an A.

He said the

teacher was

giving everyone an A.

Examples 2Examples 2

“Somebody put the final exam on the

Internet.”

“Somebody put the final exam on the

Internet.”

She said somebody had put the final exam

on the Internet.

She said somebody had put the final exam

on the Internet.

“The teacher has graded our grammar

tests.”

“The teacher has graded our grammar

tests.”

Joe said the teacher had graded our

grammar tests.

Joe said the teacher had graded our

grammar tests.

Practice 1Practice 1

1. “The library is closed.” He said…

2. “We have registered for classes.” They said…

3. “She got an A on the test.” You said…

Change the direct speech into indirect speech.

“My friend is helping me study.” She said…

Example:

She said her friend was helping her study.

He said the library was closed.

They said they had registered for classes.

You said she had gotten an A on the test.

Indirect Speech 2Indirect Speech 2

Modals often change in indirect speech.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

will

can

may

must

would

could

might

had to

Examples 1Examples 1

“The test will be

difficult.”

“The test will be

difficult.”

He said the test would be difficult.

He said the test would be difficult.

She said we could use our notes

on the test.

She said we could use our notes

on the test.

“You can use your notes on the test.”

“You can use your notes on the test.”

Examples 2Examples 2

She said we had to study hard for the final exam.

She said we had to study hard for the final exam.

“You must study hard for the final

exam.”

“You must study hard for the final

exam.”

“We may have a

substitute teacher.”

“We may have a

substitute teacher.”

She said we might have a

substitute teacher.

She said we might have a

substitute teacher.

Practice 2Practice 2

1. “We’ll help you with your homework.” They said…

2. “Anna must finish her paper.” He said…

3. “She may take a different class.” You said…

Change the direct speech into indirect speech.

“You can relax about the exam.” She said…

Example:

She said I could relax about the exam.

They said they would help me with my homework.

He said Anna had to finish her paper.

You said she might take a different class.

Indirect Speech 3Indirect Speech 3

The following modals do not change in indirect speech: should, could, might, and ought to.

“You shouldn’t tell this

secret to anyone.”

“You shouldn’t tell this

secret to anyone.”

She said I shouldn’t tell this secret to

anyone.

She said I shouldn’t tell this secret to

anyone.

“You ought to tell this to

a friend.”

“You ought to tell this to

a friend.”

!! He said I ought to tell

this to a friend.

He said I ought to tell

this to a friend.

“I could have gotten help from a tutor.”

“I could have gotten help from a tutor.”

He said he could have gotten help from a tutor.

He said he could have gotten help from a tutor.

He said if he had studied, he would have gotten an A.

He said if he had studied, he would have gotten an A.

“I thought I had chosen the easy teacher.”

“I thought I had chosen the easy teacher.”

“If I had studied, I would have gotten an A.”

“If I had studied, I would have gotten an A.”

He said he thought he had chosen the easy teacher.

He said he thought he had chosen the easy teacher.

Indirect Speech 4Indirect Speech 4

The following do not change in indirect speech: the past perfect, the present and past unreal conditional, and past modals.

Practice 3Practice 3

1. “If I knew, I would tell you.” She said…

2. “I might have known the test was difficult.” He said…

3. “She had had that teacher before.” We said…

Change the direct speech into indirect speech.

“We ought to study some more.” He said…

Example:

He said we ought to study some more.

She said if she knew, she would tell me.

He said he might have known the test was difficult.

We said she had had that teacher before.

ReferencesReferences

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.