Reported Speech

Rumors and Gossip Have you heard the latest gossip about the new teacher? Maria said that the new teacher didn’t give any homework. Really! Viktor told me that students could eat in his class. Larisa said that the new teacher had given all the students an A last semester. No, what is it? Wow! Yeah, I heard he was an easy teacher.

Indirect Speech 1 Direct Speech Indirect Speech Simple Present 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 1 “The teacher is strict.” She said the teacher was strict. He said the teacher was giving everyone an A. “The teacher is giving everyone an A.”

Examples 2 She said somebody had put the final exam on the Internet. “Somebody put the final exam on the Internet.” “The teacher has graded our grammar tests.” Joe said the teacher had graded our grammar tests.

Practice 1 Example: Change the direct speech into indirect speech. “My friend is helping me study.” She said… She said her friend was helping her study. 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… 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 2 Direct Speech Indirect Speech will can  would Modals often change in indirect speech. Direct Speech Indirect Speech will can  would  could

Examples 1 “The test will be difficult.” He said the test would be difficult. “You can use your notes on the test.” She said we could use our notes on the test.