Question 1

How do I report passive voice sentences?

Accepted Answer

When reporting passive sentences, shift the passive verb one step back: "is being done" becomes "was being done", "was done" becomes "had been done", "will be done" becomes "would be done". For example: "The package was delivered" becomes "He said the package had been delivered".

Question 2

How do conditionals change in reported speech?

Accepted Answer

Second conditionals (hypothetical) often simplify: "If I were you, I would reconsider" becomes "She advised me to reconsider". Third conditionals with regret can use patterns like "He regretted not knowing". Inverted conditionals (Were I to..., Had I known...) change to normal "if" structure.

Question 3

What happens to inverted structures in reported speech?

Accepted Answer

Emphatic inversions return to normal word order. "Never have I seen such beauty" becomes "She said she had never seen such beauty". "Little did I know" becomes "He said he had known little". "Only when you try will you succeed" becomes "She said I would succeed only when I tried".

Question 4

How do I report "suggest" and "recommend"?

Accepted Answer

"Suggest" and "recommend" can be followed by: 1) -ing form: "He suggested postponing the meeting", 2) that + subjunctive: "She recommended that we leave early", 3) that + should: "They suggested that he should apply". Never use infinitive directly after suggest.

Question 5

When does "must" not change in reported speech?

Accepted Answer

"Must" for regulations or permanent rules can stay unchanged: "The manager insisted the report must be submitted by Friday". However, "must" for personal obligation typically becomes "had to": "She said she had to leave early". Context determines which form is appropriate.

Continue Practicing

Present Simple

Past Simple

Present Continuous

Conditionals

Present Perfect

Passive Voice

Reported Speech Mixed Advanced Exercises