When we report something that someone else
said, we usually 'time-shift' the verb tense,
but sometimes we don't. This is a challenging topic in English grammar...
REPORTED SPEECH -
immediate vs. later reporting
TIME
SHIFT VERB TENSE?
SHIFT TIME
EXPRESSION?
*later reporting - regular reported speech
*YES
*YES
immediate reporting
NO
NO
general truths or facts
NO
NO
* In casual speaking, many English speakers often fail to
'time-shift' verb tenses for reported speech.
In formal speaking and
writing, please be sure to use correct, formal English.
This quiz has two parts: for questions 1-7,
you are asked to choose the correct verb tense or modal.
For questions 8-12, a reported-speech
answer is given, and you are asked if it is casual or formal English.
The speaker just said, “You can also find this information on my website.” REPORTED SPEECH: The speaker said that we __ also find this information on his website.
can [no verb tense shift needed]
could [verb shift required]
Two weeks ago, John told me, “I am going to sell my old truck next week.” REPORTED SPEECH: Two weeks ago, John told me that he __ his old truck __.
is going to sell ... next week [no verb tense shift needed]
was going to sell ... the following week [verb tense shift required]
Last year NASA scientists announced, “We have found water on Mars.” REPORTED SPEECH: Last year NASA scientists announced that they __ water on Mars.
have found [no verb tense shift needed]
had found [verb tense shift required]
Minutes ago, Paula announced, “I am quitting my job tomorrow to become a comedian in L.A.!” REPORTED SPEECH: Minutes ago, Paula announced that she __ her job __ to become a comedian in L.A.
is quitting ... tomorrow [no verb tense shift needed]
was quitting ... the next day [verb tense shift required]
Kim Kardashian just sent a text to her husband, “I’m leaving you.” REPORTED SPEECH: Kim Kardashian just sent a text to her husband saying that she __ him.
is leaving [no verb tense shift needed]
was leaving [verb tense shift required]
The teacher explained, “The moon goes around the Earth in a little less than 28 days.” REPORTED SPEECH: The teacher explained that the moon __ around the Earth in a little less than 28 days.
goes [no verb tense shift needed]
went [verb tense shift required]
Yesterday my wife asked the architect, “Have you finished the plans for the new kitchen?” REPORTED SPEECH: Yesterday my wife asked the architect if he __ the plans for the new kitchen.
has finished [no verb tense shift needed]
had finished [verb tense shift required]
My sister announced, “I am going over to Donna’s house.” REPORTED SPEECH: My sister announced that she is going over to Donna’s house. IS THIS ANSWER CASUAL or FORMAL REPORTED SPEECH?
CASUAL reported speech
FORMAL reported speech
The Amazon engineers told their boss, “We have finished the design for the new smartphone.” REPORTED SPEECH: The Amazon engineers told their boss they have finished the design for the new smartphone. IS THIS ANSWER CASUAL or FORMAL REPORTED SPEECH?
CASUAL reported speech
FORMAL reported speech
Our professor said, “Thomas Edison didn’t actually invent the electric light bulb; he just made a better one than anyone else before him.” REPORTED SPEECH: Our professor told us that Thomas Edison hadn’t actually invented the electric light bulb; he had just made a better one than anyone else before him. IS THIS ANSWER CASUAL or FORMAL REPORTED SPEECH?
CASUAL reported speech
FORMAL reported speech
Mrs. Palmer said, “We are leaving for London tomorrow.” REPORTED SPEECH: Mrs. Palmer said that they were leaving for London the next day. IS THIS ANSWER CASUAL or FORMAL REPORTED SPEECH?
CASUAL reported speech
FORMAL reported speech
A recent news report said, “Scientists tested a genetically-modified virus that attacks cancer in the human body.” REPORTED SPEECH: A recent news report said that scientists had tested a genetically-modified virus that attacks cancer in the human body. IS THIS ANSWER CASUAL or FORMAL REPORTED SPEECH?
