Lesson 72: Unit 126 - Reported Statements

About this lesson

In this lesson you will learn how to turn direct statements into reported speech in English. You will understand the rules for changing verb tenses when reporting someone else's words said in the past. You will get to know the changes in adverbs of place and time, such as "now → then", "here → there" and "yesterday → the day before". Through dialogues, letters and practical exercises you will master the skill of reporting information naturally and correctly.

40 minutes

What you'll learn

• Understand the difference between direct and reported speech in statements
• Apply the sequence of tenses rule when moving into reported speech
• Replace adverbs of place and time correctly in reported speech
• Use the reporting verbs said, told, wrote when reporting
• Change sentences from direct into reported speech in writing and in speaking

Lesson vocabulary

• reported speech Mary said that she was keen on playing chess.
• direct speech Mary said, 'I am keen on playing chess.'
• to report We report someone's words using a verb in the past tense.
• keen on She said she was keen on playing chess.
• to hitch-hike He said he had hitch-hiked on his way to Manchester.
• to afford She told me she had been saving money to be able to afford it.
• application form He said he hadn't sent his application form yet.
• mortgage She said she couldn't dream of a trip because of the mortgage for the house.
• gathering He said he had taken part in the Edinburgh gathering.
• adventurous She dreamed to experience the most adventurous Sydney Skywalk.
• the following week He said he would send it the following week.
• the previous year She said she had started saving money the previous year.
• the day before He said he had sent the report the day before.
• to recruit She said she had been chosen to recruit Austrian staff.
• for the time being She said she couldn't even dream of such a trip for the time being.

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In other languages: Български