Page 137 - New Grammar with a Smile 6

6. When a speaker talks about a universal truth, the tense of the sentence does not
change, when it is changed from direct to indirect speech. For example,
• The teacher said, ‘The sun rises in the east.’

The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.

Study the table to understand the changes in the tense while changing from direct
to indirect speech.

simple present tense changes to simple past tense

Ila said, ‘I want to become Ila said that she wanted to become
an architect.’ an architect.

present continuous tense changes to past continuous tense

The governor said, ‘The prime The governor said that the prime
minister is coming to the function.’ minister was coming to the function.

simple past tense changes to past perfect tense

Sahil said, ‘The bell rang late.’ Sahil said that the bell had rung late.

present perfect tense changes to past perfect tense

Sheetal said, ‘I have completed Sheetal said that she had completed
my project.’ her project.

past perfect tense remains the same

Sheetal said, ‘I had never seen Sheetal said that she had never seen
him before’. him before.

simple future tense: will changes to would

Bela said, ‘I will go to Shimla during Bela said that she would go to Shimla
the Christmas holidays.’ during the Christmas holidays.

This table will help you understand the change of pronouns and time in direct
and indirect speech.

Change of pronouns
I he/she • He said, ‘I am late.’

He said that he was late.
you (subject) he/she/they • She asked, ‘Rohan, will you help me?’
She asked Rohan if he would help her.

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