What are the rules for changing reported speech into questions?

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What are the rules for changing reported speech into questions?

The rules for changing reported speech into questions are as follows:

1. Change the reporting verb: The reporting verb in the direct speech is usually changed to an appropriate reporting verb in the indirect speech. For example, "said" can be changed to "asked," "inquired," "wondered," etc.

2. Change the pronouns: Pronouns in the reported speech need to be changed according to the subject of the reporting verb. For example, "I" in the direct speech can be changed to "he," "she," "they," etc., in the indirect speech.

3. Change the tense: The tense of the reported speech is usually shifted back in time. For example, if the direct speech is in the present tense, it can be changed to the past tense in the indirect speech. However, if the reported speech is a universal truth or a fact, the tense remains unchanged.

4. Change the reporting verb tense: If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported speech is also shifted back. For example, if the direct speech is in the present tense, it can be changed to the past tense in the indirect speech.

5. Change the word order: In direct speech, the subject usually comes before the verb, but in indirect speech, the word order is changed to subject + verb. For example, "He said, 'I am going to the store'" can be changed to "He said that he was going to the store."

6. Use question words: If the direct speech is a question, the question word is used in the indirect speech. For example, "She asked, 'Where are you going?'" can be changed to "She asked where he was going."

7. Use reporting verbs like "ask," "wonder," "inquire," etc.: When changing a question into indirect speech, it is important to use appropriate reporting verbs to convey the sense of questioning.

It is important to note that these rules may vary depending on the context and the specific reporting verb used. Therefore, it is essential to consider the overall meaning and context while converting reported speech into questions in indirect speech.