Arbeitsblatt: Theorie Reported Speech

English New Inspiration 3 Unit 7 Reported Speech Reported Speech We use reported speech when we want to tell someone what someone said. We usually use reporting verb (e.g. say, tell, ask, etc.) and then change the tense of what was actually said in direct speech. direct indirect reported clause statement ‘Im tired, said. told them (that) was tired. thatclause question ‘Are you ready? the nurse asked Joel. ‘Who are you? she asked. The nurse asked Joel if/whether he was ready. She asked me who was. ifclause/whether clause whclause command ‘Leave at once! they ordered. The ordered us to leave at once. toinfinitive clause Tenses move back in time: In reported speech, verbs in the present usually change into the past, and verbs in the past usually change into the past perfect. present simple present continuous present perfect past simple past perfect must can am/is/are going to will past simple past continuous past perfect past perfect past perfect had to could was/were going to would Time phrases and other reference words also usually change in reported speech: today tonight tomorrow yesterday now here this two weeks ago that day that night the next/following day the day before then there that/the two weeks before Few examples: ‘Ive been working, she said. She said (that) she had been working. ‘It took 9 hours. He said (that) it had taken 9 hours. ‘Well have to find it. She said (that) they would have to find it. ‘I am sure. She said (that) she was sure.