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GZ9.01 | Reported Statements - Said

Choose a card tutorial

A Present Simple → Past Simple

B Present Continuous → Past Continuous

C Past Simple → Past Perfect

D Present Perfect → Past Perfect

E Will → Would

F Can → Could

G Past Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous

H Present Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous

I May → Might

J Must → Had to

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Present Simple → Past Simple | Said

HOW IT WORKS

When reporting a past statement, Present Simple often changes to Past Simple.

DIRECT SPEECH

Sarah: “I work in a bank.”

REPORTED SPEECH

Sarah said that she worked in a bank.

TENSE work → worked

PRONOUN I → she

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[P] = Person [A] = Action

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Present Continuous → Past Continuous | Said

HOW IT WORKS

Present Continuous often changes to Past Continuous in reported speech.

DIRECT SPEECH

Tom: “I am looking for my dog.”

REPORTED SPEECH

Tom said that he was looking for his dog.

TENSE am looking → was looking

PRONOUN I → he

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[P] = Person [A] = Action

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Past Simple → Past Perfect | Said

HOW IT WORKS

Past Simple can change to Past Perfect when reporting an earlier event.

DIRECT SPEECH

Maria: “I lost my phone.”

REPORTED SPEECH

Maria said that she had lost her phone.

TENSE lost → had lost

PRONOUN I → she

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← Back

Forward →

[P] = Person [A] = Action [P.P] = Past Participle

→

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Present Perfect → Past Perfect | Said

HOW IT WORKS

Present Perfect often changes to Past Perfect in reported speech.

DIRECT SPEECH

Anna: “I have finished my homework.”

REPORTED SPEECH

Anna said that she had finished her homework.

TENSE have finished → had finished

PRONOUN I → she

⌂ Home

← Back

Forward →

[P] = Person [A] = Action [P.P] = Past Participle

→

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Will → Would | Said

HOW IT WORKS

Will often changes to would when reporting a future intention.

DIRECT SPEECH

John: “I will call you later.”

REPORTED SPEECH

John said that he would call me later.

TENSE will → would

PRONOUN I → he; you → me

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← Back

Forward →

[P] = Person [A] = Action

→

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Can → Could | Said

HOW IT WORKS

Can often changes to could when reporting ability.

DIRECT SPEECH

Anna: “I can speak Japanese.”

REPORTED SPEECH

Anna said that she could speak Japanese.

TENSE can → could

PRONOUN I → she

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Forward →

[P] = Person [A] = Action

→

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Past Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous | Said

HOW IT WORKS

Past Continuous can change to Past Perfect Continuous in reported speech.

DIRECT SPEECH

Tom: “I was working all morning.”

REPORTED SPEECH

Tom said that he had been working all morning.

TENSE was working → had been working

PRONOUN I → he

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← Back

Forward →

[P] = Person [A] = Action

→

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Present Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous | Said

HOW IT WORKS

Present Perfect Continuous often changes to Past Perfect Continuous.

DIRECT SPEECH

Sarah: “I have been studying English for two years.”

REPORTED SPEECH

Sarah said that she had been studying English for two years.

TENSE have been studying → had been studying

PRONOUN I → she

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← Back

Forward →

[P] = Person [A] = Action

→

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May → Might | Said

HOW IT WORKS

May can change to might when reporting possibility.

DIRECT SPEECH

Maria: “I may visit my parents.”

REPORTED SPEECH

Maria said that she might visit her parents.

TENSE may → might

PRONOUN I → she

⌂ Home

← Back

Forward →

[P] = Person [A] = Action

→

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Must → Had to | Said

HOW IT WORKS

For obligation, must often changes to had to. Deductive must may stay must.

DIRECT SPEECH

John: “I must leave early.”

REPORTED SPEECH

John said that he had to leave early.

TENSE must → had to

PRONOUN I → he

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← Back

Forward →

[P] = Person [A] = Action

→