Reported statements, questions, imperatives

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

How do time expressions change time in reporting speech?
Eg. "I went to the park yesterday" --> She said...

Time Expressions:

Sometimes change depending on when the direct speech was reported.

Direct speech:           "I'm going on vacation this summer."
Reported:  She said that she had gone on vacation that summer. 

• backshift the tense
• change the time expression

Reported Speech

present simple --> past simple

Past simple -->past perfect

present perfect --> past perfect

Simple future --> future in past 

Imperative --> Infinitive

Reporting Verbs

There are many other verbs that can be used instead of "said". These reporting verbs have different structures, so be aware of how you use them.

• How to use reporting common verbs: here
• You can study the rules for reported speech here
• Practice REPORTED SPEECH: here

"Can I get you a drink?"
In reported speech:
The waiter asked......

1. if he can get me a drink
2. if he could get me a drink
3. if he a drink could get me
4. if could he get me a drink

Choose the correct reported speech:
"I can't find my hairbrush".

1. Gemma said I couldn't find my hairbrush.
2. Gemma said she can't find her hairbrush
3. Gemma said she couldn't find her hairbrush

Turn into reported speech:
He said, “I have got a toothache”.

1. He said that I had got a toothache.
2. He said that he has got a toothache.
3. He said that he had got a toothache.
4. He said that you have got a toothache

Turn into reported speech:
Teacher said to students: "I have never been to Croatia."

1. The teacher told the students (that) I have never been to Croatia.
2. The teacher said to the students (that) she had never been to Croatia.
3. The teacher said (that) she had never been to Croatia.
4. The teacher told the students (that) she had never been to Croatia.

What happens to verb tenses in reported speech?

1. they always shift back one tense.
2. They shift back one tense if this is possible
3. Nothing happens to them
4. They change from singular to plural form.

Reported speech of this sentence.
Tom: "Tomorrow is my birthday".

1. Tom said that tomorrow is my birthday.
2. Tom said that the following day was his birthday.
3. Tom said that tomorrow was his birthday.

Reported Questions

1. Identify the tense in Direct question. 

2. Change the tense (see tense chart)

3. Use reporting verb structu

"Where are you flying?"
Reported: She asked

"How did you do on your test?"
My mother asked...

"Where do you live?"
Reported: She asked...

Next up:
Reported imperatives

Reporting Imperatives

Requesting something in a polite way: "Please help me".
OR
Ordering:  "Sit down!"

asked me + to + infinitive

These are polite and kind requests which use ASK

For a negative:

Not:  She asked us to not be late 

Orders 

We use TOLD
It is when something is not asked, but ordered from someone.

What are IMPERATIVES?

How well do you understand reported statements, questions and imperatives?

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Practice now:

In pairs:

Student book p. 94

ex. 1 - 7

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