Good afternoon, everyone!
We’re going to talk
about a very important content named Reported Speech or Indirect Speech.
We must use the Reported
Speech when we read or listen to something and we have to report it to another
person. It is a usual process, for
instance, in a secretary work routine.
E.g.: Mr. Lewes (a
businessman); Ms. Holmes (the secretary); Mr. Robertson (her boss)
Secretary: Good morning, may I help you?
Businessman:
Yes, please. I’d like to talk to Lee Robertson, please. Is he in?
Secretary:
No, he’s not here yet, but you may leave a message and I can tell him
afterwards. What is your name, please?
Businessman:
Oh, thanks! The petrol he wants to buy is not available. Ops… You can
call me Ryan Lewes.
Secretary:
Ok, Mr. Lewes. I‘ll tell Mr. Robertson as soon as possible.
Businessman:
Thank you, so much!
Secretary:
You’re welcome!
Three hours later
Boss: Hi, Ms. Holmes, do you have any message
for me?
Secretary: Yes, sir! You received a call
earlier in the morning. The man told me that the petrol you wanted to buy was
not available.
When you report a sentence you have to change
the verb tense to the past. Read these extracts from the conversation:
The petrol he wants to buy is not
available. (Simple Present) – Direct Speech
The petrol he wanted to buy was not
available. (Simple Past) – Reported Speech.
In other words, you must give a step back in
time.
Verb Change –
Direct Speech to Indirect Speech
Simple Present into
Simple Past
Present Progressive
into Past Progressive
Simple past, Present
Perfect and Past Perfect into Past Perfect
Future with be going
to into Future with was/were going to
Future with will into
Future with would
Can into Could
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