Reported speech: the tense change

A When do we change the tense?

After a past-tense verb (e.g. said), there is often a tense change. 'It really is cold today.' —> Vicky said it was cold.

If the statement is still up to date when we report it, then we have a choice. We can either leave the tense the same, or we can change it.

You said you like/liked chocolate. Claire told me her father owns/owned a racehorse.

Sarah said she's going/she was going to Rome in April. We can say that Sarah is going to Rome because it is still true that she will go there.

If the statement is no longer up to date, then we change the tense.

Claire once told me that her father owned a racehorse. (He may no longer own one.)

Sarah said she was going to Rome in April (Now it is May.) Now Sarah's trip is over, so it is no longer true that she is going to Rome.

We usually change the tense if we think the statement is untrue or may be untrue. You said you liked chocolate, but you aren't eating any. The Prime Minister claimed that the government had made the right decision.

B Is -> was, like -> liked, etc

Look at these examples of the tense change.

DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED SPEECH

Andrew is working.' Jessica said Andrew was working.

'The windows aren't locked.' Mark told me the windows weren't locked.

'I've fixed the shelves.' Trevor said he'd fixed the shelves.

'Ifs been raining.' We noticed it had been raining.

'We've got plenty of time.' Rachel insisted they had plenty of time.

'We like the flat.' The'couple said they liked the flat.

If the verb phrase is more than one word (e.g. is working), then the first word changes,

e.g. is workings* was working, have fixed had fixed, don't know ~* didn't know.

If the verb is already in the past tense, then it can stay the same or change to the past perfect.

'We came by car.' They said they came/they had come by car.

'Sorry. I wasn't listening! / admitted I wasn't listening/hadn't been listening. If the verb is past perfect, it stays the same.

'My money had run out' Daniel said his money had run out.

C Modal verbs: can -► could, etc

Can, may and will change to could, might and would.

'You can sit over there.' The steward said we could sit here.

'I may go to Bali again.' Claire said she might go to Bali again.
'I'll help if you like.' Tom said he would help.

Could, might, ought to, should and would stay the same. But must can change to have to.

'Sarah would love a holiday.' Mark thought Sarah would love a holiday.

'I must finish this report.' Sarah said she must finish/had to finish the report.

134 Exercises

1 When do we change the tense? (A)

Put in is or was. Sometimes both are possible.

? I heard today that the house is for sale. I wonder who will buy it.

? I saw David yesterday. He said he was on his way to visit his sister.

1 This wallet is made of plastic not leather. Why did you tell me it…………….leather?

2 We had to hurry yesterday morning. Just as we arrived at the station, we heard an announcement that
the train...................... about to leave.

3 I saw Emma just now. She said her tooth ............................. still aching.

4 I'm surprised Matthew lost. I thought he ………….. much better at tennis than Daniel.

5 When he spoke to reporters yesterday, Mr Douglas said that Zedco …………… now in a much better
financial position.

2 The tense change (B)

Complete the replies. The second speaker is surprised at what he or she hears.

► Matthew: Emma and I are getting married.

Rachel: Really? But you said last week you weren't getting married.

► Rita: I like pop music more than classical music.
Laura: I'm sure you told me you liked classical music best.

1 Vicky: I haven't finished my project.

Emma: Haven't you? I thought you said .................................................................................

! Rachel: I'm on a diet.

Natasha: But you told me............................................................................................... ……

i Andrew: I enjoy parties.

Daniel: Surely I remember you saying .....................................................................................

1 Matthew: I'm applying for the job.

Rachel: I thought you told me...............................................................................................

3 The tense change (B-C)

A comedy show called 'Don't Look Now!' has just closed after five years in London's West End. Here's what the critics said when it opened five years ago.

? 'It's a marvellous show.' The Daily Mail 4 'You must see it.' The Evening Standard

? 'You'll love it.' The Guardian 5 'It will be a great success.' The Telegraph

1 'The production is brilliant.' The Sunday Times 6 'You might die laughing.' The Express

2 '1 can't remember a funnier show.' Edward Devine 1 'It's the funniest show I've ever seen.' Susan Proctor

3 'It made me laugh.' Robert Walsh 8 'You shouldn't miss it.' Time Out

Now report what the critics said.

? The Daily Mail said it was a marvellous show.

? The Guardian said people would love it.

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 2662