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Reported Speech Modal Verbs

The document explains the rules of reported speech, focusing on how to convert direct speech into indirect speech, particularly with statements, questions, and commands. It highlights the use of modal verbs like 'can', 'should', and 'must', which often do not change form in reported speech, and discusses the concept of backshifting tenses. Additionally, it provides examples and exercises for practice.

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9 views

Reported Speech Modal Verbs

The document explains the rules of reported speech, focusing on how to convert direct speech into indirect speech, particularly with statements, questions, and commands. It highlights the use of modal verbs like 'can', 'should', and 'must', which often do not change form in reported speech, and discusses the concept of backshifting tenses. Additionally, it provides examples and exercises for practice.

Uploaded by

allmyprettybags
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reported Speech

modals: can, should &


must

Rosalba Garcia Maldonado


Indirect speech focuses more on the content of what someone said rather than
their exact words. In indirect speech, the structure of the reported clause depends
on whether the speaker is reporting a statement, a question or a command.

Indirect reports of statements consist of a reporting clause and a that-clause. We


often omit that, especially in informal situations:

The pilot’s words were: “The weather was extremely bad as the plane came in to
land.”
The pilot commented that the weather had been extremely bad as the
plane came in to land.

Mike to his wife: “I don’t want a party on me 50th birthday.”


I told my wife I didn’t want a party on my 50th birthday.
(that-clause without that) or I told my wife that I didn’t want a party on my
50th birthday.
Indirect speech: reporting commands

Indirect reports of commands consist of a reporting clause, and a reported clause


beginning with a to-infinitive:
General: “Advance!”
The General ordered the troops to advance.

Chairperson: “Sit down and stop interrupting!”


The chairperson told him to sit down and to stop interrupting.

We also use a to-infinitive clause in indirect reports with other verbs that mean wanting
or getting people to do something, for example, advise, encourage, warn:

Teacher: “You should wait till the following day.”


The teacher advised me to wait till the following day.

Guard: “You must not enter the area.”


The guard warned us not to enter the area.
Backshift changes
Remember, the present (am) has become the past (was), the future (will) has
become the future-in-the-past (would) and the past (happened) has become the
past perfect (had happened). The tenses have ‘shifted’ or ‘moved back’ in time. →

Direct Speech Reported Speech


present simple → past simple
“She needs to take a break.” → She said she needed to take a
break.

past simple → past perfect


“We have finished the project.” → He said they had finished the
project.

future (will) → future in the past - would


“I will share the details later.” → He said he would share the
details later.
Modal verbs

Some, but not all, modal verbs ‘shift back’ in time and change in indirect speech.
Modals - Can, should and must

Can:
"I can do it.” → He said that he could do it.

Should:
"You should go.” → She said that I should go.

Must:
"We must leave.” → They said that they had to leave.

Modal verbs like "can", "should", and "must" often don't change their form when
reported, unlike regular verbs which usually shift tense.
Change is statement into reported speech.

1. ¨I must go hiking next Saturday.¨


2. ¨Our family must live in that house.¨
3. ¨I can’t open this folder.¨
4. ¨You must work next weekend.¨
5. ¨My son should not travel to Europe.¨
Change is statement into reported speech.

1. ¨I must go hiking next Saturday.¨


He said he had to go hiking next Saturday.

2. ¨Our family must live in that house.¨


You said that our family had to live in that house.

3. ¨I can’t open this folder.¨


He said he couldn’t open the folder.

4. ¨You must work next weekend.¨


I said you had to work next weekend.

5. ¨My son should not travel to Europe.¨ (permission)


He said that his son should not travel to Europe.
Change is statement into reported speech.

6. ¨I will only sleep five hours tonight.¨

7. My friend Peter must be very clever.¨

8. ¨I will face him again,¨ said Williams.

9. ¨I should go fishing with my friends.¨

10. ¨You can´t push the button.¨


Change is statement into reported speech.

6. ¨I will only sleep five hours tonight.¨


She said she would only sleep five hours tonight.

7. My friend Peter must be very clever.¨


He said that his friend Peter had to be very clever.

8. ¨I will face him again,¨ said Williams.


Williams said that he would face him again.

9. ¨I should go fishing with my friends.¨


I said that I should go fishing with my friends.

10. ¨You can´t push the button.¨


I told you that you couldn't push the button.
Quiz

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