reported
b) When we use reported speech, we are usually talking about the past. So verbs usually cha
to the past in reported speech. For example:
will → would
My parents are
very well.
I'm going to
give up my
job.
am/is → was
do/want/know etc. →
Study these examples. You met Tom. Here are some things he said to you:
Now you
1
1
1
are were
1
have/has had
1
did/wanted/knew etc.
Ann has bought
a new car.
I can't come
to the party
on Friday.
tell someone else what Tom said (in reported speech):
Tom said (that) his parents were very well.
Tom said (that) he was going to give up his job.
can → could
want to go on holiday but
I don't know where to go.
I'm going away for a
few days. I'll phone you
when I get back.
Tom said (that) Ann had bought a new car.
Tom said (that) he couldn't come to the party on Friday.
Tom said (that) he wanted to go on holiday but he didn't know where to go
Tom said (that) he was going away for a few days and would phone me
when he got back.