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*Note than when a Yes/No question is being asked in direct speech, then a construction with if or whether
If a WH question is being asked, then use the WH to introduce the clause. Also note that with indirect spee
these are examples of embedded questions.
The situation changes if instead of the common said another part of the very to say is used. In that case the
tenses usually remain the same. Some examples of this situation are given below.
Another situation is the one in which modal constructions are used. If the verb said is used, then the form o
modal, or another modal that has a past meaning is used.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
can could
He said, “I can go to school every He said (that) he could go to school every
day.” day.
may might
He said, “I may go to school every He said (that) he might go to school every
day.” day.
might
He said, “I might go to school every
day.”
must had to
He said, “I must go to school every He said (that) he had to go to school every
day.” day.
have to
He said, “I have to go to school every
day.”
should should
He said, “I should go to school every He said (that) he should go to school every
day.” day.
ought to ought to
He said, “I ought to go to school every He said (that) he ought to go to school
day.” every day.
to that
this
these to those
now to then
today to that day
last night to on the previous night or the night before
tomorrow to the next day or the day after
here to there
yesterday to the previous day or the day before
thus to so; (in) that way
EXERCISE 2.
EXERCISE 3.
EXERCISE 4.
EXERCISE 5.
EXERCISE 6.
EXERCISE 7.
SOLUTIONS.
EXERCISE 1.
EXERCISE 2.
EXERCISE 3.
EXERCISE 4.
EXERCISE 5.
EXERCISE 6.