What are the rules for changing reported speech into reported thoughts?

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What are the rules for changing reported speech into reported thoughts?

When changing reported speech into reported thoughts, there are a few rules to keep in mind.

1. Use the appropriate reporting verb: Instead of using reporting verbs like "said" or "told," we use verbs like "thought," "wondered," "considered," or "believed" to indicate that the words are thoughts rather than spoken words.

2. Change the pronouns: In reported thoughts, the pronouns may need to be changed to reflect the perspective of the person having the thoughts. For example, if the original speech was "I am happy," it would be reported as "He/she thought he/she was happy."

3. Change the tense: The tense of the reported thoughts may need to be adjusted depending on the context. For example, if the original speech was in the present tense, it would be reported in the past tense. If the original speech was in the past tense, it would be reported in the past perfect tense.

4. Use reporting words or phrases: To indicate that the words are thoughts, it is helpful to use reporting words or phrases such as "he/she thought," "he/she wondered," or "he/she considered." These words or phrases help to distinguish between reported speech and reported thoughts.

5. Maintain the meaning: It is important to accurately convey the meaning of the original speech while converting it into reported thoughts. This includes maintaining the tone, intention, and any other relevant details.

Overall, the rules for changing reported speech into reported thoughts involve using appropriate reporting verbs, adjusting pronouns and tenses, using reporting words or phrases, and ensuring the meaning is preserved.