Transform the Statements into Reported Speech
How Reported Speech Works
100

They said, “We will go to the cinema.”

They said that they would go to the cinema.

100

How does Past Simple change in reported speech and why?



Past Simple - Past Perfect, due to the sequence of tenses

200

He said, “I saw this movie yesterday.”

He said that he had seen that movie the day before.

200

How are yes/no questions reported in reported speech?


They are introduced with if or whether and use statement word order.

300

She said, “I have been working here for five years.”

She said that she had been working there for five years.

300

How do time and place expressions change in reported speech (e.g. now, here, today)?

They change according to the shift in perspective (now → then, here → there, today → that day).

400

He said, “If I had more time, I would learn Spanish.”

He said that if he had had more time, he would have learned Spanish

400

How does “must” change in reported speech, and why are there two possible forms?


It can become had to (obligation) or remain must (deduction), depending on the meaning.

500

He said, “If only I had been more careful, I wouldn’t be in this situation now.”

He said that if only he had been more careful, he wouldn’t be in that situation then.

500

What is the difference between “say” and “tell” in reported speech?

Say is not followed by an object, while tell is followed by an object (tell someone).

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