01 Reported statements
The rule in one line
- When we report what someone said, we usually move the verb one step back in time, change the pronouns, and change time and place words.
- The reporting verb is normally said, told, explained, added or remarked. That is optional.
- Direct: Dr. Ali said, "Machines help people work faster." → Reported: Dr. Ali said (that) machines helped people work faster.
Tense shift
1present simple
Reported speech
- past simple
Example
- "We use solar energy." → they used solar energy
2present continuous
Reported speech
- past continuous
Example
- "We are testing the engine." → they were testing the engine
3present perfect
Reported speech
- past perfect
Example
- "They have made a 3D model." → they had made a 3D model
4past simple
Reported speech
- past simple / past perfect
Example
- "Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids." → they built / had built the pyramids
5will
Reported speech
- would
Example
- "We will visit the museum tomorrow." → they would visit the museum the next day
6can
Reported speech
- could
Example
- "Machines can work all day." → machines could work all day
7may / might
Reported speech
- might
Example
- "Machines may cause accidents." → machines might cause accidents
Pronoun and time shift
1I / we
Reported
- he/she / they
2my / our
Reported
- his/her / their
3now
Reported
- then / at that time
4today
Reported
- that day
5tomorrow
Reported
- the next day / the following day
6yesterday
Reported
- the day before / the previous day
7here
Reported
- there
8this / these
Reported
- that / those
Worked examples from the unit
- The doctor said, "Machines help me detect illnesses more quickly." → The doctor said (that) machines helped him detect illnesses more quickly.
- The manager said, "Machines can work all day without getting tired." → The manager said (that) machines could work all day without getting tired.
- The teacher said, "Machines might cause accidents if not used carefully." → The teacher said (that) machines might cause accidents if not used carefully. (might does not change.)