We use reported speech to say what people have said. “Today is my birthday”, Paula said. Paula said (that) that day was her birthday. When the reporting verb is in the past, the verb tense, the pronouns and the time-phrase may all have to be changed to...
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We use reported speech to say what people have said. “Today is my birthday”, Paula said. Paula said (that) that day was her birthday. When the reporting verb is in the past, the verb tense, the pronouns and the time-phrase may all have to be changed to indicate the time shift to the past. Pronouns. In reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun depending on who says what. “My dad likes tennis” > She said her dad liked tennis. “Where will you be?” >Paul asked me where I would be. Verb Tense Changes Direct speech Reported speech Present simple Past simple Present continuous Past continuous Present perfect Past perfect Past simple Past perfect Past continuous Past perfect continuous Will Would Would Would have Can Could May Might Shall Should /would Must Had to NO CHANGES Could, would, should, might and ought to. Pronouns and time-phrase changes Direct Speech Reported Speech Now Then Today That day, this day Last night The night before/the previous night Yesterday The day before
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