What are the common mistakes to avoid when using reported speech?

When using reported speech, there are several common mistakes that should be avoided. These include:

1. Incorrect verb tense: One common mistake is using the wrong verb tense when reporting someone's words. It is important to accurately reflect the original speaker's tense. For example, if the original speaker said, "I am going to the store," the reported speech should be "He said he was going to the store," not "He said he is going to the store."

2. Incorrect pronoun usage: Another mistake is using the wrong pronoun when reporting someone's words. It is important to change the pronouns to reflect the perspective of the reported speech. For example, if the original speaker said, "I love this book," the reported speech should be "She said she loved that book," not "She said she loves this book."

3. Failure to change time and place references: When reporting someone's words, it is important to change any time and place references to reflect the current context. For example, if the original speaker said, "I will meet you tomorrow at 5 pm," the reported speech should be "He said he would meet me the next day at 5 pm," not "He said he will meet me tomorrow at 5 pm."

4. Incorrect reporting verbs: Using the wrong reporting verb can also lead to mistakes. It is important to choose the appropriate reporting verb that accurately conveys the original speaker's intention. For example, if the original speaker said, "I apologize for the mistake," the reported speech should be "He said he apologized for the mistake," not "He said he was sorry for the mistake."

5. Failure to use reporting words: Lastly, a common mistake is failing to use reporting words such as "said," "told," or "asked" to introduce the reported speech. These words are necessary to indicate that the words being reported are not the speaker's own words. For example, instead of saying "She loves ice cream," it should be "She said she loves ice cream."

By avoiding these common mistakes, one can ensure accurate and effective use of reported speech.