Page 126 - English Grammar - 7

Rememberemember
R
Statements in the indirect speech are generally introduced by the conjunction ‘that’.

Let’s Learn to Transform Direct Speech into Reported Speech

To transform a direct speech statement into reported speech, we change the following:

Tenses Expressions of time and place
O O
Pronouns
O
Change in Tenses

Since the time of the reporting is after the actual words have been spoken, there is a need
to change the tense. The pronouns also change accordingly.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

Simple Present Simple Past
She said, “I am sad.” She said that she was sad.

Present Continuous Past Continuous
He said, “I am looking for my shoes.” He said that he was looking for his shoes.

Simple Past/Present Perfect Past Perfect
Direct and Indirect Speech
She said, “I visited London last year.” She said that she had visited London last
They said, “We have done our duty.” year.
They said that they had done their duty.

Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous
He said, “I was playing with my friends He said that he had been playing with his
when the accident occurred.” friends when the accident occurred.

Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

He said, “I have been playing basketball for He said that he had been playing basketball
two hours.” for two hours.

Past Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous
She said, “I had been reading a book when She said that she had been reading a book
the light went off.” when the light had gone off.

Change in Pronouns
The pronoun of the reported speech changes according to the subject (pronoun) or object of
the reported verb. For example:

He said, “I ran two rounds.” (direct speech)
O
He said that he had run two rounds. (reported speech)
O
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