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Ann (to Mary, who is standing beside her): Paul says (that) he is trying to get a
taxi.
b. When the introductory verb is in the past tense (which is the usual case) tenses in
reported speech follow these changes:
DIRECT SPEECH
REPORTED SPEECH
Present simple
Past simple
DIRECT SPEECH
REPORTED SPEECH
Here
This
These
Now
Next week
Today
Tonight
Tomorrow
Yesterday
Last week
There
That
Those
Then
The following week
That day
That night
The following day/ the next day
The day before/ the previous day
The week before/ the previous week
YES/NO QUESTIONS
DIRECT QUESTION:
REPORTED QUESTION:
REPORTED QUESTION:
b. We can use as reporting verbs the following: ASK, WONDER, WANT TO KNOW, etc.).
These are the structures you can use:
c.
If the direct question begins with a question word (when, why, how, etc.) this word is
repeated in the reported question.
d. If there is no question word in the direct question,, IF or WHETHER must be used in the
indirect question:
e. There is no change in word order in reported questions, and no auxiliaries are needed:
What time do you come to school every day?, she wanted to
know
She wanted to know what time I came to school every day.
REPORTED COMMANDS
He told Tom to lie down.
NEGATIVE:
2.
3.
My sister told me a really ridiculous joke last night, John told me.
4.
5.
The boss is examining your work now, the worker told me.
6.
QUESTIONS
1. Whats your favourite comedy programme?, Mary asked John.
2. Does your dog know its way home?, Tom asked me.
4. How far is the station from the hotel?, the girl wanted to know.
5. Have you ever visited the Tate Gallery in London?, Tom asked me.
7. What time does the exam start tomorrow?, the students asked.
2.
3.