Questions and Answers
How is the simple present tense transformed in reported speech?
A third person singular subject pronoun is added.
What happens to the simple past tense in reported speech?
The verb is followed by 'was saying' or 'were saying'.
How is the present continuous tense transformed in reported speech?
The verb is changed to the passive voice with 'be + -en' forms.
What happens to the past perfect tense in reported speech?
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How is the future simple tense transformed in reported speech?
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Which tense transformation in reported speech involves the passive voice?
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Study Notes
Direct speech change tense refers to the alteration of the tense within direct speech when reported or transformed into indirect speech. This transformation is necessary to maintain the appropriate context and meaning of the original statement. Here's how tense changes are handled in reported speech:
Simple Present
In simple present direct speech, there are no overt subject pronouns. However, in reported speech, we use he, she, they for third person singular subjects. For example, "He goes to school every day" becomes "She says that he goes to school every day."
Simple Past
In simple past direct speech, we use was, were for third person singular subjects. In reported speech, these verbs change to was saying, were saying. For instance, "He went to the store yesterday" becomes "He was saying that he had gone to the store yesterday."
Present Continuous
Present continuous uses am/is/are + -ing form for all subjects except he/she/it. In reported speech, this becomes the passive voice with 'be + -en' forms. For example, "They are playing tennis now" becomes "They were being played by them."
Past Perfect
Past perfect direct speech uses had + past participle for main verb actions before another past action. In reports, we use had been + past participle. For instance, "I had finished my homework" becomes "He had been saying that he had finished his homework."
Future Simple
Future simple direct speech uses will + infinitive. In reported speech, we use would. For example, "He will go to the park tomorrow" becomes "He would say that he would go to the park tomorrow."
Future Perfect
Future perfect uses going to + infinitive in direct speech. In reported speech, we use would be + -en form. For instance, "We are going to visit Paris next month" becomes "They would say that they would be visiting Paris next month."
When reporting actions that have already occurred, we need to adjust the tenses accordingly. The speaker's exact words are not used, but the message conveyed remains the same. By understanding these rules, you can effectively transform direct speech into reported speech while maintaining correct usage of tenses.
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