Page 281 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

indirect speech (3): questions and answers 276
may -+ might
DIRECT: We may come back early.
IN DIRE CT: They said they might come back early.
Past perfect tenses do not change.
DIRECT: I arrived late because I had lost the address.
IN D IRE CT: He said he had arrived late because he had lost the address.
3 would, could etc: no change
Past modal verbs are usually unchanged in indirect speech. DI RECT: It would be nice ifwe could meet.
IN DIRECT: He said it would be nice ifwe could meet.
For more details. see 278.3.
4 I told them I was British
After past reporting verbs, we usually change the original tenses even if the things the original speaker said are still true.
- DIRECT: I'm British.
INDIRECT: I toldthepoliceI wasBritish. (ThespeakerstillisBritish.)
- DIRECT: INDIRECT:
You can use my car today.
Your mother said I could use her car today. Have you got the keys?
How old are you?
- DIRECT:
INDIRECT: Didn'tyouhearme?Iaskedhowoldyouwere.
- DIRECT: That is my seat.
IN DI RECT: Sorry, I didn't realise this was your seat.
However, it is often also possible to keep the original speaker's tenses in these cases.
Didn't you hear me? I asked how old you are. For details. see 278.2.
5 He says, I'll tell her etc.
After present, future and present perfect reporting verbs, tenses are usually the same as in the original (because there is no important change of time).
- DIRECT: I don't want to play any more.
INDIRECT: Hesayshedoesn'twanttoplayanymore.
- DIRECT: INDIRECT:
- DIRECT: IN DIRECT:
We need some help..
I'll tell her you need some help.
Taxes will be raised.
The government has announced that taxes will be raised.
276 indirect speech (3): questions and answers 1 word order: I asked where Alice was
In reported questions the subject normally comes before the verb in standard English, and auxiliary do is not used.
- D IRE C T: Where's Alice?
INDIRECT: I asked where Alice was. (NOT ..• where Wfl;SAliee.) •
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