Simple sentences mean simple affirmative and negative statements as we have read in the maximum examples in tenses section. In order to convert simple sentence into indirect you are first required to have a good deal of knowledge about tenses. If you have good knowledge then learning narrations may work. Otherwise it is strongly recommended that you should first start from tenses. The very first thing you need to do is to identify the tense of reporting speech because all the changes are made in accordance with it. The verb of reporting speech of indirect narration is changed into tells, answer, reply, declare, remind or assure etc according to the nature of reported speech and when comma and quotation mark are removes the conjunction [that] is used. Tense of Reporting SpeechIf reporting speech is in present or future tense no change in the tense of reported speech is made while converting into indirect speech. Examples He says, “I have performed my duties.” She will say, “I am not going there.” Teacher says to him, “You can’t come up to
my expectations.” President Obama says, “We will eradicate terrorism.” They will say, “We shall continue working.” Alec says to Tess, “I have no reason to flatter
you.” If the tense of reporting speech is Past then following changes are made in reported speech while converting it into indirect narration. 2. All present tenses are converted into past. Present indefinite into past indefinite Examples He said, “I work hard to prepare my speech.” He said, “She is sending emails.” He said, “I have joined them.” He said, “I have been working all night.” If the tense of reported speech is already in past tense then following changes are made while converting into indirect speech provided reporting speech is in past. Past indefinite into Past perfect Examples He said, “I waited for him.” He said, “I was not feeling well.” Duncan said to me, “I had searched the whole house.” Dylan said, “I had been living here since I was
five.” If modal operators are used the changes are made as follows; • Will is converted into would Examples He said, “I will come.” She said to me, “I shall be missing you.” Thomas said, “I may not come on account of unavoidable
circumstances.” David said, “I can bring him home.” In case the reporting speech is in past then the words show nearness of time and place are changed into the words showing distance of time and place, like; • here into there Examples He said, “I am busy here.” He said, “I shall visit you today.” Susan said, “It is this person who introduced me
to you.” He said, “I may consider this now.” Watch the video
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