Read the information about reported statements.
When we report statements, we use say or tell. Also we change pronouns, possessive adjectives and tenses.
Study the table.
Examples:
“ I want to go on holiday”, Mary said
Mary said (that) she wanted to go on holiday. (present simple - past simple)
“We visited many castles last year”, Mary said.
Mary said (that) they had visited many castles the year before. (past simple - past perfect)
Mary said (that) they had visited many castles the year before. (past simple - past perfect)
“I will send you some cards”, Kate said.
Kate said (that) she would send them some cards. (future simple - would + V1)
Kate said (that) she would send them some cards. (future simple - would + V1)
Remember these changes with words.
Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
| tonight, today, this week/month/year | that night, that day, that week/month/year |
| now | then, at that time, at once |
| yesterday, last night/week/month/year | the day before/the previous day, the previous night/week/month/year |
| tomorrow, next week/month/year | the day after/the following day/week/month/year |
| two days/months/years ago | two days/months/years before |
| this, these | that, those/the/some |
| here | there |
| come | go |