|
Quoted speech |
Later reporting |
|
present tense verb |
simple past |
|
present continuous |
past continuous |
|
present perfect simple past past perfect |
past perfect |
|
simple future (will) |
would |
|
future (be going to) |
was/were going to |
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modals: can may (possibility) may (permission) will might must have to should ought to shall shall |
could might could would might had to had to should ought to would (future) should (ask for advice) |
|
imperative |
infinitive |
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yes/no question |
if + noun clause |
Note:
If the reporting verb (the main verb of the sentences, e.g., said, is in the past, the verb in the noun clause will usually be in a past form. If the reporting verb is simple present, present perfect, or future, the noun clause verb is not changed.
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She says, "I wash my hair every day." |
She says she washes her hair every day. |
|
She has said, "I wash my hair every day." |
She has said that she washes her hair every day. |
|
She will say, "I wash my hair every day." |
She will say that she washes her hair every day. |
*Exceptions:
If the reported sentence deals with a fact or general truth, the present tense is (can be) retained. She said that the moon causes the tides. If the speaker reports something immediately or soon after it was said, the noun clause verb often remains as spoken.
Reported Speech
Changes in time and place words
|
now today tomorrow yesterday next month next year last month last year in two days weeks) five days ago five weeks ago here |
then, at that time that day the following day, the next day, a day later the previous day, the day before the following month, the next month, a month later the following year, the next, year, a year later the month before, the previous month, the preceding month the year before, the previous year, the preceding year two days from then, two weeks from then five days before, five days earlier five weeks before, five weeks earlier there |
