REPORTED SPEECH WITH THE PRESENT TENSE

REPORTED SPEECH WITH THE PRESENT TENSE

An adventure in grammar!

Reported speech with the present tense

Reported speech is used when we want to repeat what someone said, thought, or wrote.Teacher: You should read the novel.Student: The teacher says (that) we should read the novel.

When speaking, say and tell are usually used. However, in academic writing you will often see other verbs, such as:mentions notes claims explains recommends

Reported statements with that

Here’s how it works: Find the person who is making the statement,

and create a reporting clause:

Put what was said into a noun clause (that is optional).

Finn says (that) he thinks he has a crush.

reporting clause

noun clause

Reported questions with wh- clauses

Reported speech doesn’t make questions. It tells what other people have said or written.

If you are reporting a question, you need to change the order of the words into a statement.

“What should I do about my crush?”

Finn wonders what he should do about his crush.

reporting clause

noun clause

Reported answers to questions

When you are reporting the answer to a question, you can use reporting verbs such as explain, describe, tell, and say.

This book tells you how you can make her like you.

reporting clause

noun clause

“How can you make her like you?”

Let’s try a few: Jake

Let’s try a few: Jake

Jake says (that) sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something.

Let’s try a few: Duke of Nuts

Let’s try a few: Duke of Nuts

The Duke of Nuts wonders why you would want to sack his nut castle.

Let’s try a few: Princess Bubblegum

The answer is too simple and I am too smart to see it.

Let’s try a few: Princess Bubblegum

Princess Bubblegum says (that) the answer is too simple and she is

too smart to see it.

Let’s try a few: Finn

No one should flick me in the butt without my consent.

Let’s try a few: Finn

Finn says (that) no one should flick him in the butt without his

consent.

Let’s try a few: Newspaper article

(Answers the question: Who is a real cool kid?)

Let’s try a few: Newspaper article

The newspaper article explains who a real cool kid is.