Reported Speech Questions Long
When reporting statements in the future in reported speech, there are several rules to follow. These rules involve changes in verb tenses, pronouns, time expressions, and reporting verbs. Here are the rules for reporting statements in the future:
1. Verb Tenses:
- If the reported statement is in the future simple tense (e.g., "I will go"), it is usually changed to the conditional tense (e.g., "He said he would go").
- If the reported statement is in the future continuous tense (e.g., "They will be playing"), it is usually changed to the conditional continuous tense (e.g., "She said they would be playing").
- If the reported statement is in the future perfect tense (e.g., "We will have finished"), it is usually changed to the conditional perfect tense (e.g., "He said they would have finished").
2. Pronouns:
- Pronouns referring to the speaker may change according to the context. For example, "I" may change to "he" or "she" when reporting someone else's statement.
- Pronouns referring to the listener may also change. For example, "you" may change to "me" or "him" when reporting someone else's statement.
3. Time Expressions:
- Time expressions indicating future time may need to be changed to reflect the past. For example, "tomorrow" may change to "the next day" or "the following day" when reporting a future statement.
4. Reporting Verbs:
- Reporting verbs such as "say," "tell," or "ask" are used to introduce reported speech. These verbs may need to be changed to reflect the past tense. For example, "He said, 'I will come tomorrow'" can be reported as "He said that he would come the next day."
It is important to note that these rules are not always strict and may vary depending on the context and the speaker's intention. Additionally, direct speech may sometimes be used instead of reported speech to convey future statements more accurately.