Lumiere English Academy; Indirect Speech (13)

Lumiere English academy

A Basic Grammar

Indirect Speech

Some frequent mistakes which instantly betray the second language English speaker include the following: (some of this repeats what has been stressed before, but it cannot be over-emphasised for the benefit of those who keep making this kind of mistake):

She said she has gone to town

The correct version is: She said she HAD gone to town because it follows said, which is in the past tense.

He went to London as soon as he can.

The correct version is: He went to London as soon as he COULD because it follows went, which is in the past tense.

He told her that he will be back soon.

The correct version is: He told her that he WOULD be back soon because if follows told, which is in the past tense.

EXERCISE;  CONVERT THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES INTO INDIRECT SPEECH

Isaac says: "I think it will rain tomorrow"

Isaac said ..............................................................................

Isaac said he thought it would rain tomorrow

Isaac says ..............................................................................

Isaac says he thinks it will rain tomorrow

Thabo complained, saying: "The weather is most unpredictable"

Thabo complains ..................................................................

Thabo complains that the weather is most unpredictable

Thabo complained ................................................................

Thabo complained that the weather was most unpredictable
Juliet admitted: "The test results were a correct reflection of my application"
Juliet admits ..........................................................................
Juliet admits that the test results were a correct reflection of her application
Juliet admitted .......................................................................
Juliet admitted that the test results had been a correct reflection
of her application
Jacob says: "I have passed my first term"
Jacob says ...............................................................................
Jacob says that he has passed his first term
Jacob said ................................................................................
Jacob said that he had passed his first term
Eugene says; "I shall pass my second semester" 
Eugene says .............................................................................
Eugene says that he will pass his second semester
Eugene said ..............................................................................
Eugene said that he would pass his second semester
Tebogo says: "I can go to class tomorrow"
Tebogo says .............................................................................
Tebogo says that he can go to class tomorrow
Tebogo said .............................................................................
Tebogo said that he could go to class tomorrow

Dr Luky Whittle