Reported Speech Questions Medium
The rules for reporting statements within reported speech in indirect speech are as follows:
1. Change the tense: The tense of the reported statement is usually shifted back in time. For example, if the original statement was in the present tense, it is changed to the past tense in reported speech.
2. Change the pronouns: Pronouns in the reported statement are often changed to reflect the perspective of the speaker in reported speech. For example, "I" becomes "he/she" or "we" becomes "they".
3. Change time and place references: Time and place references in the reported statement may need to be adjusted to match the context of the reported speech. For example, "today" may become "that day" or "here" may become "there".
4. Use reporting verbs: Reporting verbs such as "said", "told", "asked", etc., are used to introduce the reported speech. These verbs are often followed by a reporting clause, which includes the reported statement.
5. Use reporting clauses: Reporting clauses are used to introduce the reported statement and provide information about who said it. For example, "He said that..." or "She told me that...".
6. Use appropriate punctuation: Quotation marks are not used in reported speech. Instead, reported speech is usually enclosed in indirect speech punctuation, such as commas or no punctuation at all.
It is important to note that these rules may vary depending on the specific context and the tense of the reported statement.