Unit 15
Reported Speech
Tense changes
Direct speech
Reported/indirect speech
Present simple:
7
like opera'
Past simple:
She said Ithatl she liked opera.
Present sim ple continuous:
'I'm studvina Japanese flower arranaina.'
Past continuous:
He said Ithatl he was studvina Japanese flower
arranging.
Present perfect simple:
7
have never been to the National Museum.'
Past perfect:
He said Ithatl he had never been to the National
Museum.
Present perfect continuous:
‘We've been oaintina for manv vears. ’
Past perfect continuous:
He said Ithat] they had been oaintina fo r many years.
Past simple:
‘We went to the theatre.'
Past perfect:
He said Ithatl they had aone to the theatre.
Past continuous:
'Yesterday 1 was listenina to the lecture on the radio
show. ’
Past perfect continuous:
She said that the previous day she had been listenina
to the lecture on the radio show.
Past perfect:
7
had read the novel.'
Past perfect:
She said Ithatl she had read the novel.
Going to (present):
'I'm aoina to visit the local craft shoD.'
Going to (past):
She said Ithatl she was
aoina to visit the local craft
shop.'
Will:
‘I'll start photography classes soon.'
Would:
He said Ithatl he would s ta rt photoaraphv classes
soon.
Can:
7 can
draw w e ll.'
Could:
She said Ithatl she could draw well.
May:
7
think young people may not be interested in
reading.'
Might:
The teacher said she thought Ithatl young people
m iaht not be interested in readinq.
Must:
7
m ust attend my son's school orchestra concert.'
Had to:
My boss said Ithatl he had to attend his son's school
orchestra concert.
