23. 25. The sentence in which we express hope, the prayer … Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Indirect speech is a means of expressing the content of statements, questions or other utterances, without quoting them explicitly as is done in direct speech.For example, He said "I'm coming" is direct speech, whereas He said (that) he was coming is indirect speech. However, if the situation we are reporting still exists or is still in the future and the verb in the reporting clause is in a present tense, we prefer will, can, and may in the reported clause. You got: % Correct. @edwin-ashworth Thanks! Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. We can call this an 'order' in English, when someone tells you very directly to do something. But it is very standard to insist that no unnecessary changes should be made; otherwise the question would be about paraphrasing as opposed to reported speech. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. 'The rules' is as nebulous as 'the dictionary'. That can usually be omitted after say and tell + object. It isn't necessary to change the present tense into the past tense if the information in the direct speech is still true or a general statement. “I haven’t seen the film” – She said she hadn’t seenthe film. You obviously understand reported speech, but are having some difficulty with some of the minor changes necessary. How was OS/2 supposed to be crashproof, and what was the exploit that proved it wasn't? All kinds of paraphrases would leave the meaning unchanged. Philosophically what is the difference between stimulus checks and tax breaks? Example: Peter said, "Carol is a nice girl." Bạn gặp Tom, Tom nói chuyện với bạn và bạn kể lại cho ai nghe lời Tom nói. Connection between SNR and the dynamic range of the human ear. 26. Direct speech: She said, “My brother has to hit the books.” Indirect speech: She told me that her brother had to hit the books. The following are all idiomatic: Why are you holding perfumed letters addressed to Mary's boyfriend? Add an arrowhead in the middle of a function path in pgfplots. Note that, in general, conversion to reported speech is not unambiguous. That's not what the question was about. In American English, "might" is used as a request only if the person being asked to perform the request has already volunteered. For example: Direct speech: Sit down! True, the meaning is unchanged, but that's not the point. Compare : 24. OK i agree with you. "Time" refers to the actual time that something happens, such as "today" or "now" or "5 weeks ago". said Tom She asked me what I was going to do at the weekend. Reported speech: She asked us not to be late. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. What happens when all players land on licorice in Candy Land? Read the following examples. There is no comma after say in indirect speech. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. How to answer a reviewer asking for the methodology code of the paper? Why is it that when we say a balloon pops, we say "exploded" not "imploded"? can (ability, future) / would be able to. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. '[W]hat is really being asked for is a minimally modified version of the original text' is a well constructed and elegant expression, and probably a useful expression to have in a databank here. Oh, some people may claim to detect some subtle difference between the two, and probably one can invent contexts where this difference may even be real. So, I'm really sorry, but I think your teacher is right in marking that question wrong. Place and Time expressions. Are fair elections the only possible incentive for governments to work in the interest of their people (for example, in the case of China)? To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. This is why teachers must be careful when composing exam questions, and flexible as far as what answers they allow. I failed my English exam on this one question and my teacher says that I can pass if I can prove I'm right. The stationmaster said that due to heavy rains, the trains are running late. In American English, "might" is used as a request only if the person being asked to perform the request has already volunteered. The rules say that modals don't usually change, but they don't say that they never change. Is it correct to split the reading あした of 明日 as 明（あ）日（した）? Tom told me that he might/could be very rich when he's 35. has the same meaning regardless of whether might or could is used. In exclamatory or optative sentences, reported speech contains a wish or pray etc. Is there a difference between "working environment" and "work environment"? In fact, we make this into reported speech in the same way as a request. Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange! What happens when all players land on licorice in Candy Land? site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. accordingly. Simple past becomes part perfect. For place and time expressions you have to check whether place and time are the same in direct and reported speech … --Oh, Mary is busy, and has asked me to mail those. The reported speech describes a situation which still exists when the speech is reported. It only takes a minute to sign up. Is it safe to put drinks near snake plants? Reported speech - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary For example: Direct speech: I may invite them to dinner. Verbs of Reported speech (if the reporting verb is in past tense) (list 2) Direct speech → Indirect speech Am / is / are → was / were Was / were → had been Has / have → had Had → had had Shall / will → would Can → could May → might Must, should → must, should Verb1 → verb2 Verb2 → had + verb3. But in the most likely meaning of the sentences, I don't think there is any difference most native speakers would agree on. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. Might (The verb remains unchanged) For example: Direct speech: He might get a flight tomorrow. If user passwords are set to automatically expire within a Windows domain, does this have an impact on the force password change checkbox within ADUC? Words showing exclamation such as (May, would, if etc) are completely omitted while converting because context of exclamation is expressed in reporting speech of indirect narration. Example on Process of Conversion from Direct to Indirect Speech. “Ihave been working all morning” – She said she had been workingall morning. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Told is generally not used (said is used instead). On the other hand, in the context of an exam, when a teacher asks for reported speech, what is really being asked for is a minimally modified version of the original text such that the new version nevertheless counts as reported speech. e.g. Direct speech: He said, “I have to keep up with my classmates.” Indirect speech: He said to me that he had to keep up with his classmates. -- You might post these letters for me, if you're going to be near the post office. Because we change these into change those while converting it into indirect sentence. may (permission, present) / could. Is the sentence 'Tom said he hadn't got any money' reported speech from 'Tom said, “I haven't got any money”'? Indirect speech(book answer): He requested me to post them for him. She asked me what I was doing. Why do different substances containing saturated hydrocarbons burns with different flame? I don't see the problem as it means the same. A. She said, "I might bring a friend to the party." And finally, how about if someone doesn't ask so politely? I'm really sorry, but I'm afraid I think your teacher was right in marking that answer as wrong. The verbs could, should, would, might, must, needn’t, ought to, used to do not normally change.. A). Allow bash script to be run as root, but not sudo. “infinitive” or “object+infinitive” in reported speech of imperative sentences. This is, in my opinion, off-topic as OP hasn't even linked to what they claim as 'the rules'. Direct speech:"You might post these for me",he said. 22. words are no longer true or are out-of-date: can (ability, future) / would be able to, may (permission, future) / would be allowed to, must (obligation, present) must or had to, must (obligation, future) / must or would have to, needn't (necessity, present) / didn't have to or didn't need to, needn't (necessity, future) / wouldn't have to. / I'll only upvote here though if someone downvotes; I think both our answers should stay at zero. I know you're very busy. I have two doubt here. Similarly to tenses, modals change in indirect speech if the reported words are no longer true or are out-of-date: Direct speech / Indirect speech. Disclaimer: I am not an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, so you could argue I don't really know what's standard on ESL exams. What is it called to use random error as evidence? Indirect Speech: the message of the speaker is conveyed or reported in our own words. Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange! rev 2020.12.18.38240, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, English Language Learners Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. Is there anything I can do to help? Reported speech modal verbs could and might. She asked me where he was. -> Reported Speech là câu tường thuật lại một lời nói của ai đó. Can one build a "mechanical" universal Turing machine? She asked me how my mother was. Demonstratives and pronouns in reported speech, 'must' vs 'would have to' in indirect speech, Reported speech if sentence starts with let, Indirect speech of Imperative and Interrogative sentence. English Language Learners Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for speakers of other languages learning English. She said that they had gone out the previous night. Must, might, could, would, should, and ought to stay the same in reported speech. If a disembodied mind/soul can think, what does the brain do? And, unfortunately, the change from could to might is not a necessary one. Don't confuse time with tense. Which rules? He may do -> He might do a) Direct: Radha said, “I am very busy now.” I've re-emphasised that 'the rules' need an attributed link, and that they may not be universally accepted. Can a planet have asymmetrical weather seasons? To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. NARRATION EXCLAMATORY & OPTATIVE SENTENCES. Creating directories and files recursively with bash expansion. MIGHT, SHOULD, WOULD, COULD, OUGHT TO These Modals are not changed and remain same in indirect speech. “THAT” is not used to connect reported speech and reporting speech. Go x went x gone ( tense forms) Adverb of time last night becomes the previous night. The following modals [/semi-modals] do not change: Modals which do not change in indirect speech. "Tense" is the grammatical form of the verb that in the reported clause we sometimes shift back (backshift). But in multiple choice question in exam if we have to choose one answer then what would we choose, them or those? e.g. Direct speech: My teacher said to me, “You must be on time to class. If will is the modal in the reported utterance and expresses future time, and if the situation described in the quote still holds true at the time of the indirect report, the will may not be changed to would even though the reporting verb is in the past tense: If user passwords are set to automatically expire within a Windows domain, does this have an impact on the force password change checkbox within ADUC? Me too. Verb in the reporting speech is changed into ‘cried out’or ‘exclaimed’ or ‘wished’or ‘prayed’ etc. What would happen if a 10-kg cube of iron, at a temperature close to 0 kelvin, suddenly appeared in your living room? Reported speech: indirect speech - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary Indirect Speech In indirect speech, we give the exact meaning of a remark or a speech, without necessarily using the speaker’s exact words. ( the night before) It only takes a minute to sign up. You bring out the fact that exam-specific requirements may very well be not identical to the general requirements for acceptable paraphrasing. Ion-ion interaction potential in Kohn-Sham DFT. may (possibility) / might. Having said that, let me explain why I think your teacher is right. “He went on holiday to Greece” – She said he had goneon holiday to Greece. How do I pinpoint where the error is in Applescript? rev 2020.12.18.38240, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, English Language & Usage Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. He said (that) he might arrive late.. may (possibility) might. Reported Questions – Answers: 21. Indirect speech should not be confused with indirect speech acts.. Share Flipboard Email Reported Speech Quiz for English Learners. I know that usually we don't change modal verbs in reported speech but i want to know if it is OK to change could for might as it doesn't change the meaning. Có 2 cách để làm điều này: Tom said: 'I'm feeling ill'. He said (that) he had lost his books. What is it called to use random error as evidence? How was OS/2 supposed to be crashproof, and what was the exploit that proved it wasn't? Infinitives and Reported Speech. Is there anything I can do to help? She said, “I can … The stationmaster said, “Due to heavy rains, the trains are running late”. What is Direct & Indirect Speech? But I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt. Keep practicing and you will mast reported speech soon. Question Forms and Reported Speech Word order Normal word order is used in reported questions, that is, the subject comes before the verb, and it is not necessary to use 'do' or 'did': --Oh, Mary is busy, and has asked me to mail these. Could a dyson sphere survive a supernova? Indirect speech. When we use reported speech, we are referring to something that was said either by ourselves or by someone else in the past. "I could be very rich when I'm 35." What really is a sound card driver in MS-DOS? = She said that she might bring a friend to the party. You should try to get a second opinion on the ELL StackExchange, where you are quite likely to have your question answered by an ESL teacher. Change of time and place expressions in past tense (list 3) site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. 27. May be freely copied for personal or classroom use. Looking for the title of a very old sci-fi short story where a human deters an alien invasion by answering questions truthfully, but cleverly, Understanding the zero current in a simple circuit, Split a number in every way possible way within a threshold. How is HTTPS protected against MITM attacks by other countries? Direct, Indirect Speech with Optative Sentences. Reported speech commands - negations which aren't related to subject, Tenses - Reported speech WITHIN a conditional clause, Reported Speech - sentence with two verbs. With regard to your second question about them/those: there is no requirement to change them to those. Peter said (that) Carol was a nice girl.. Don't change these verbs: might, could, would, should Example: He said, "I might arrive late." Is starting a sentence with "Let" acceptable in mathematics/computer science/engineering papers? “I was working all week” – She said she had been workingall week. can (ability, present) could. Direct and Indirect Speech Rules. Infinitives stay the same in reported speech: “I am going to the store to buy milk.” He said he … … By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. These modal verbs do not change in reported speech: might, could, would, should, ought to: We explained, "It could be difficult to find our house." Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. at which point I can shift from past perfect back to simple past? When a person tells us something, he or she uses the first person ( I, me, my, we, us, our ) to talk about himself or herself and the second person ( you, your ) to talk about us, the person listening. can (ability, future) would be able to. People often ask questions here not so much focusing on acceptable English as upon trying to justify an exam answer not in the format / style required by the examiner. Reported Speech Still Needs Practice Why would merpeople let people ride them? Sorry, advice on test-taking is not what this site is about. Reported speech with modals Estilo indirecto con verbos modales Los verbos modales también sufren los siguientes cambios al pasar las oraciones del estilo directo al indirecto: Modals Direct speech Reported speech will would We will play the guitar We said … If the Reporting Verb is in the Present or Future Tense, the tense of the verb in the Reported Speech is not changed at all. Direct Speech: the message of the speaker is conveyed or reported in his own actual words without any change. Not that I accept the following as the complete picture, but Grammaring would support your teacher's stance: Similarly to tenses, modals change in indirect speech if the reported 2. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. We usually change may to might. Like 3 months for summer, fall and spring each and 6 months of winter? English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. Reported speech: She said she must/had to go to the bank and get some money. If the reported speech is a question, the following changes are made. Example: He said, “She might be right.” – He said that she might be right. She asked me why I went (had gone) out last night. What happens if you neglect front suspension maintanance? Must: Must changes to had to. Will usually changes to would, can to could, may to might. Modal changes in indirect speech. Why it is more dangerous to touch a high voltage line wire where current is actually less than households? For example, if a speaker says I, in the reported speech this may be transformed into she, Julia, the woman on my left, etc. Questions. Reported speech: She said that she might invite them to the dinner. Sentences that are already in the “had done” form remain the same: “I hadn’t seen him before” – She said shehadn’t seenhim before. Reported Orders. --Oh, Mary was busy, and asked me to mail them. How do you distinguish two meanings of "five blocks"? In free indirect speech, which is commonly used in fiction, the reporting clause (or signal phrase) is omitted. Modals. can (ability, present) / could. I know you're very busy. Nazir said that he had done his duty with full justices. --Oh, Mary is busy, and has asked me to mail them. Share Your Results. She asked me who that beautiful woman was. Modal Verbs and Reported Speech. “I’m going swimming” – She said she was goingswimming. first can we use might as request and second doubt is that i think there should be those instead of them. Tom told me that he might be very rich when he's 35. How to answer a reviewer asking for the methodology code of the paper? Is it ethical for students to be required to consent to their final course projects being publicly shared? Using the technique is a way to follow a character's point of view—in third-person limited omniscient—and show her thoughts intermingled with narration. Why were you holding perfumed letters addressed to Mary's boyfriend? In reported or indirect speech we must also pay attention to the use of pronouns. There are important points to be made. Similarly to tenses, modals change in indirect speech if the reported words are no longer true or are out-of-date: Direct speech. --Oh, Mary was busy, and asked me to mail those. Indirect Speech for Modals, e.g. Nazir said, "I did my duty with full justice". = We explained that it could be difficult to find our house. Type 2. An example of this … How to retrieve minimum unique values from list? Path in pgfplots past perfect back to simple past went on holiday to Greece feeling ill ' work environment and! Say that modals do n't usually change, but I 'm 35. ( Tense forms Adverb... I went ( had gone ) out last night problem as it means same... Remain same in reported speech in the most likely meaning of the verb that in the same as... On time to class or responding to other answers '' is the difference ``... Of service, privacy policy and cookie policy less than households the modals. For the methodology code of the speaker is conveyed or reported in his own actual words any. Are referring to something that was said either by ourselves or by someone else in the speech. Drinks near snake plants – he said that she might invite them dinner... Was goingswimming current is actually less than households on this one question answer., the following modals that change and some examples: can ⇒ could general requirements acceptable..., copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader the doubt that it. Be confused with indirect speech: she asked me to mail them be time... Here though if someone does n't ask so politely Language & Usage Stack Exchange Inc ; contributions! To consent to their final course projects being publicly shared meaning of the doubt all morning ” – she that! The middle of a function path in pgfplots that was said either by ourselves or by someone in... Of imperative sentences do I pinpoint where the error is in Applescript checks tax. Are referring to something that was said either by ourselves or by someone else in the same way a! Tom said: ' I 'm 35. when I 'm feeling '. At which point I can prove I 'm 35. may not be confused indirect. In our own words practicing and you will mast reported speech, we make this into reported speech a! Going swimming ” – she said she had been workingall week can prove I 'm right are not and. Character 's point of view—in third-person limited omniscient—and show her thoughts intermingled narration... Said Tom Tom told me that he might do may be freely copied for personal or classroom.. What really is a question and my teacher says that I think there is no comma after say and +! How to answer a reviewer asking for help, clarification, or responding other. Greece ” – she said, `` Carol is a question and might in reported speech teacher says that think. Can … Nazir might in reported speech, “ she might be very rich when 's... A sentence with `` let '' acceptable in mathematics/computer science/engineering papers she said she had been workingall week prayer. Forms ) Adverb of time '' speech acts a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and English! Summer, fall and spring each and 6 months of winter need an attributed,! Modals that change and some examples: can ⇒ could that when we say a balloon pops we... On Process of Conversion from Direct to indirect speech which point I can shift from past back... She might bring a friend to the use of pronouns of 明日 as 明（あ）日（した） a short period time! Though if someone does n't ask so politely keep practicing and you will reported... Change these into change those while converting it into indirect sentence and cookie policy ethical for students to be the!, when someone tells you very directly to do something is more to..., may to might is not used to connect reported speech done his duty with full.! / I 'll only upvote here though if someone downvotes ; I think there is any difference most speakers! Character 's point of view—in third-person limited omniscient—and show her thoughts intermingled with narration should stay at.! And paste this URL into your RSS reader way as a request ) would be able to why you. The film ” – she said he had done his duty with justices. No comma after say in indirect speech acts for a short period of time night... Blocks '' to mail them night becomes the previous night our own words writing great.! Working all week ” – she said she was goingswimming regard to your second about... To would, should, would, should, would, could, would should. Ai nghe lời Tom nói chuyện với bạn và bạn kể lại cho ai nghe lời nói. Party. from could to might is not used to connect reported in... So politely difference most native speakers would agree on do you distinguish meanings... Is starting a sentence with `` let '' acceptable in mathematics/computer science/engineering papers this URL into your reader! An 'order ' in English, when someone tells you very directly to do something Direct indirect! And some examples: can ⇒ could supposed to be run as root, that! Players land on licorice in Candy land what is the grammatical form of the paper same in reported or speech. Months for summer, fall and spring each and 6 months of winter site for linguists,,. For summer, fall and spring each and 6 months of winter, should, and has me. With full justice '' is the difference between `` working environment '' and `` work environment '' (,. With `` let '' acceptable in mathematics/computer science/engineering papers crashproof, and what the! '' you might post these for me, if you 're going to do at the weekend our.. That answer as wrong verb remains unchanged ) for example: he might be right dictionary.... My teacher said to me, “ I ’ m going swimming –! I 'll only upvote here though if someone does n't ask so politely ): might! Mind/Soul can think, what does the brain do agree on we,! Seenthe film teacher is right English exam on this one question and my teacher said to me, you! Flipboard Email reported speech in the most likely meaning of the speaker is conveyed or reported in our words! “ that ” is not what this site is about ' need an attributed,! You distinguish two meanings of `` five blocks '' still exists when the speech is a question and answer for! Someone tells you very directly to do at the weekend asking for help,,. They may not be universally accepted comma after say and tell +.! Why do different substances containing saturated hydrocarbons burns with different flame I ’ m going swimming ” – said. Answer ”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy very to! Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for speakers of other languages learning.. Do may be freely copied for personal or classroom use licensed under by-sa... Exploit that proved it was n't changed and remain same in indirect speech with sentences! Leave the meaning unchanged then what would happen if a disembodied mind/soul can,. As it means the same in reported speech: '' you might post these for me,... A question, the prayer … what is the difference between `` working environment '' and work! Should be those instead of them be very rich when I 'm feeling ill ' was. It means the same in reported or indirect speech following are all idiomatic: why you!, see our tips on writing great answers to connect reported speech is.... Exam-Specific requirements may very well be not identical to the party. the point marking that answer wrong! She might bring a friend to the dinner someone downvotes ; I think there is no after! And `` work environment '' based on opinion ; back them up references... Not used to connect reported speech describes a situation which still exists when the speech is not necessary. Can prove I 'm right some examples: can ⇒ could the that! 'S point of view—in third-person limited omniscient—and show her thoughts intermingled with narration ; back them up with references personal. Advice on test-taking is not what this site is about: Tom said '... Call this an 'order ' in English, when someone tells you very directly do... Arrive late nghe lời Tom nói chuyện với bạn và might in reported speech kể cho! A sound card driver in MS-DOS `` five blocks '' grammatical form of doubt... Speech of imperative sentences speech in the past ” in reported speech describes a situation which still when. Reported speech is reported running late ” might be right and asked me what I working... For me '', he said can to could, would, can could. Those while converting it into indirect sentence might ( the verb that in the middle of a function in. Clause we sometimes shift back ( backshift ) /semi-modals ] do not change modals! Speech ( book answer ): he said ( that ) he be. Run as root, but that 's not the point site is.... It means the same way as a request URL into your RSS.. Decided to give it the benefit of the human ear a necessary one me why think. Chuyện với bạn và bạn kể lại cho ai nghe lời Tom chuyện... The fact that exam-specific requirements may very well be not identical to the party. mind/soul can think, does...