Grammar: Reported Speech

REPORTED SPEECH

1) If the introductory sentence starts in the present, there is no backshift of tenses in Reported speech.

Example:
Direct speech: Susan: "I work in an office."
Reported speech: Susan says (that) she works in an office.

---

2) If the introductory sentence starts in the past (Susan said), there is often backshift of tenses in Reported speech. 

Example: 
Susan: "I work in an office." 
Susan said (that) she worked in an office.

Here we have a summary of the changes we have to do, in the following tables:

this (evening)	that (evening)
today/this day	that day
these (days)	those (days)
now	then
(a week) ago	(a week) before
last weekend	the weekend before / the previous weekend
here	there
next (week)	the following (week)
tomorrow	the next/following day

Complete the sentences in indirect speech:

1.Maggie: “I have already bought binoculars for Dad's birthday”.

Maggie said that she................already...................binoculars for Dad's birthday.

2.Alice's mum: “I am going to the shop this morning”.

Alice's mum said that she..........................to the shop............................. .

3. Jeff: “I'm sorry that I lost your book yesterday, Jane.”

Jeff said that he...............................sorry that he.........................Jane's book........................... .

4. Alan: “I can ride my motorbike to the village tonight”

Alan said that he..................................his motorbike to the village..................................... .

5. Kim: “I want to stay here and talk to my friends”

Kim said that she..............................and talk to................................ .