English Reading Grammar Songs Idioms
This exercise tests the following verb tenses: simple present, simple past, past continuous, simple future, present perfect, present perfect continuous, future continuous, past perfect, past perfect continuous, future perfect, and future perfect continuous
© 2013 Ambien Malecot
This, that, these and those are called demonstrative adjectives and also demonstrative pronouns.
Demonstrative adjectives are followed by a noun. This and that are used before singular or uncountable nouns. These and those are used before plural nouns.
Examples:
This apple tastes great.
This furniture is lovely.
That man is staring at me.
That advice you gave me proved to be good.
These flowers are beautiful.
Those animals are very strong.
Demonstrative pronouns are used alone with no noun. However, the noun is understood by both the speaker and the listener.
Examples:
This is a wonderful gift. (This bottle of wine)
I never saw that before. (that magic trick)
I’ve heard about these. (these bladeless fans)
I would never eat those. (those red berries)
Also, those can mean those people.
Examples:
Those who say it can’t be done are wrong. (Those people …)
The only true citizens are those who vote in every election. (… those people…)
Use this or these for things that are close in time or space. Use that or those for things that are far in space or time.
Examples:
This neighborhood is much cleaner than the one we used to live in. (This neighborhood is the one we now live in.) (Close in space)
These opportunities don’t come around very often. (These opportunities are now.) (Close in time)
If I lived in that country, I would learn the language as fast as I could. (That country is far away from this country.) (Far in space)
Those days we spent at the beach were wonderful. (Those days are past.) (Far in time)
Use this to introduce people and that to identify people.
Examples:
Jason, this is June. June, meet Jason.
That is Paul standing by the window
Use that for things that have just happened or were just mentioned.
Examples:
That movie was quite good, don’t you think?
I know everyone thinks he’s crazy, but I don’t believe that.
© 2013 Ambien Malecot
Wish and hope are similar but different. Wish is used for impossible or improbable things. Hope is used for possible things. Both wish and hope are used in the present, past and future.
Wish:
In the present, wish is used for things that are not true. It is the opposite of reality. The verb after wish is in the simple past, past continuous, or could Change was to were in formal English. That can follow wish but is usually dropped, so I’ll write (that).
Examples:
I wish (that) I had an umbrella.
He wishes (that) he were not so nervous.
I wish (that) the sun were shining.
I wish (that) I could swim.
If the truth is stated first, then just use did for most verbs, were for the verb be, or could.
Examples:
I don’t have an umbrella, but I wish (that) I did.
He’s very nervous, but he wishes (that) he weren’t.
The sun isn’t shining, but I wish (that) it were.
I can’t swim, but I wish (that) I could.
Wish can also be followed by an infinitive and means the same thing as want. Don’t use that.
Examples:
Who do you wish to see?
He wishes to talk to the company president directly.
The children wish to go swimming.
What do you wish to accomplish?
If you’re wishing something for someone else, use a person and a noun after wish.
Examples:
We wish you good luck.
I wish your mother a speedy recovery.
I wish them a safe trip home.
Do you wish him harm?
In the past, wish is used for things that we’re disappointed about. The verb after wish is in the past perfect.
Examples
I wish (that) you had told me the truth.
We wish we had been on time.
I wish (that) I had studied for the test.
They wish (that) they had been able to come.
Do you wish (that) you had graduated from high school?
If the truth is stated first, then just use had. (NOTE: The verbs be and be able to must be repeated.)
Examples:
You didn’t wait for me, but I wish you had.
We weren’t on time, but we wish we had been.
I didn’t study for the test, but I wish I had.
They weren’t able to come, but they wish they had been able to.
You didn’t graduate from high school, but do you wish you had?
In the future, wish is used for things you want to happen. The verb after wish is would or could (for ability) followed by a verb in the simple form.
Examples:
I wish (that) you would be quiet.
I wish (that) he could stay all summer.
I wish (that) they would remember my name.
We wish (that) you wouldn’t chew with your mouth open.
She wishes (that) she could do it again.
If the truth is stated first, then just use would or could. (NOTE: The verb be must be repeated.)
Examples:
You’re not quiet, but I wish (that) you would be.
He can’t stay all summer, but I wish (that) he could.
They don’t remember my name, but I wish (that) they would.
You chew with your mouth open, but we wish (that) you wouldn’t.
She can’t do it again, but she wishes (that) she could.
Hope:
In the present, hope is used when you think the result is possible. It is followed by the simple present or the present continuous.
Examples:
I hope (that) he finds his glasses.
We hope (that) he likes his present.
He hopes (that) she is feeling better.
In the past, hope is used for things that could already be true, but you don’t know. It is followed by the simple past or the past continuous.
Examples:
I hope (that) they had a good time at the party.
We hope (that) you enjoyed your time in Vancouver.
I hope (that) you were being truthful with me.
She hopes (that) they were just kidding.
In the future, hope is used for things that could come true. It is followed by the future (will), the future (going to) or can.
Examples:
They hope (that) we’ll be able to help them.
We hope (that) she is going to agree with us.
I hope (that) you can help me.
Hope can also be followed by an infinitive.
Examples:
We hope to finish by Thursday afternoon.
I hope to be there before dinnertime on Friday.
She hopes to get answers to all her questions.
Hope can also be followed by so and not.
Examples:
Do you think you’ll pass this course? I hope so.
Do you think you’ll fail this course? I hope not.
© 2013 Ambien Malecot
The simple past is used for an action or actions that are finished in the past. For most verbs you add –ed to the end of the basic verb.
Examples:
She arrived back home before dinnertime.
They hated the whole movie from start to finish.
He cleaned the bathroom and vacuumed the carpet.
If the verb is negative, then use didn’t (did not) with the basic verb.
Examples:
She didn’t arrive back home until midnight.
They didn’t hate the movie, but they didn’t like it either.
He didn’t clean the bathroom or vacuum the carpet.
If the verb is interrogative (question), then use did before the subject and the basic verb.
Examples:
Did she arrive back home before dinnertime?
Did they hate the whole movie from start to finish?
Did he clean the bathroom and vacuum the carpet?
There are many irregular verbs whose past tense does not add –ed. These verbs must be memorized. They are:
be (am, are, is) was, were lose lost
become became make made
begin began mean meant
bite bit meet met
blow blew pay paid
break broke ride rode
bring brought ring rang
buy bought rise rose
catch caught run ran
choose chose say said
come came see saw
creep crept seek sought
deal dealt sell sold
dig dug shake shook
do did shoot shot
draw drew shrink shrank
drink drank sing sang
drive drove sink sank
eat ate sit sat
fall fell sleep slept
feed fed slide slid
feel felt speak spoke
fight fought spit spit / spat
find found spring sprang
flee fled stand stood
fly flew steal stole
forbid forbade stick stuck
forget forgot sting stung
forgive forgave stink stank
freeze froze strike struck
get got swear swore
give gave sweep swept
go went swim swam
grow grew swing swung
hang hung take took
have had teach taught
hear heard tear tore
hide hid tell told
hold held think thought
keep kept throw threw
kneel knelt understand understood
know knew wake woke
lay laid wear wore
leave left weep wept
lead led win won
lie (down) lay write wrote
light lit / lighted
Verbs that have the same present and past forms:
beat beat let let
bet bet pet pet
broadcast broadcast put put
burst burst quit quit
cost cost read read
cut cut set set
fit fit shut shut
hit hit split split
hurt hurt spread spread
Verbs that end in -d that change to -t:
bend bent send sent
build built spend spent
lend lent
Use these flashcards to help you study.
© 2013 Ambien Malecot
Conjunctions are words that are used to connect things. They are used to connect 2 or more nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs as well as independent clauses, adjective clauses, adverb clauses, noun clauses, prepositional phrases, infinitive phrases, and gerund phrases.
The most common conjunctions are and, but, or and so. We’ll look at these four first. The more advanced conjunctions are for, yet and nor, which we’ll look at later.
Let’s start with and, the most common conjunction, to see how it connects things. Sometimes both can be used with and but only with 2 single words such as nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.
And connects:
2 independent clauses:
She likes living in her own apartment, and she enjoys the freedom.
Note: There’s a comma between the 2 clauses when there’s a subject (she) after and.
However, if there’s no subject after and, then there’s no comma.
She likes living in her own apartment and enjoys the freedom.
2 or more nouns:
John and his sister both have red hair.
He plays basketball, soccer, hockey and tennis.
(Note: There’s a comma ( , ) after each noun, but there’s no comma before and.)
2 or more verbs:
She eats and talks at the same time.
All he does is watch TV, play video games and sleep.
2 or more adjectives:
She is both hardworking and creative.
He’s tall, thin and fast.
2 or more adverbs:
She works quickly and efficiently.
He went into battle boldly, swiftly and forcefully.
2 or more adjective clauses:
She is a girl whose parents are rich and whose trust fund is large.
He only buys things that are unique and have value.
2 adverb clauses:
They brush their teeth after they eat breakfast and before they go to bed.
When I’m lonely and thinking about home, I phone my parents.
2 noun clauses:
What she said and what I heard were two different things.
He planned where they were going and what they would do.
2 or more prepositional phrases:
They’re giving away free samples in the mall and on the street.
He looked under the bed, in the closet and on top of the dresser.
2 infinitive phrases:
To understand the lecture and to take good notes, she had to concentrate.
To stay up all night and study for the test, he had to drink several energy drinks.
2 gerund phrases:
Two of my favorite activities are staying up late and watching old movies.
Playing in all the games and scoring the most points was the highlight of her year.
You can even connect 2 things that aren’t alike:
He did the job discretely and with finesse.
The man was strong and in a bad mood.
But connects things that are opposite or that don’t usually go together. When the second thing is negative, put but not.
But connects:
2 independent clauses:
I’m going to Chicago, but I don’t know anybody there.
She likes acting but also wants to direct.
(Note: no comma before but because the subject she has been dropped in the second independent clause.)
2 nouns:
They like the beach but not the water.
She knows a lot about literature but not poetry.
2 verbs:
I swim but don’t dive.
She‘s here but doesn’t want to talk to you.
2 adjectives:
He’s strong but not athletic.
The food was cold but delicious.
2 adverbs:
They did the job quickly but well.
She worked slowly but surely.
2 adjective clauses:
He’s a man who has lots of acquaintances but who has no real friends.
She’s a person whose salary is high but whose work is easy.
2 adverb clauses:
Robert stayed home not because he felt a little sick but because he had a test.
She came down to the kitchen before she brushed her teeth but not before she put on her makeup.
2 noun clauses:
She told him what she had planned but not how she was going to do it.
He told me why he was leaving but not where he was going.
2 prepositional phrases:
We checked in all the classrooms but not in the library.
We work from Monday to Thursday but not on Friday or the weekend.
2 infinitive phrases:
He went outside not to get some fresh air, but to have a cigarette.
I’m studying English not primarily to get into university but to be able to speak to my friends.
2 gerund phrases:
Going to bed early but not falling asleep has been his problem for years.
We like having parties but not cleaning up afterwards.
2 different things:
I write but not very well.
I swim but only in swimming pools.
Or connects choices or possibilities. It is often used with either, whether, or if, which are put before the first choice or possibility.
Or connects:
2 independent clauses:
I want ice cream for dessert, or maybe I’ll have some pie.
She is either going to tell the truth, or she’ll continue to lie.
2 nouns:
His friend is either a teacher or a social worker. I forget.
Roses or carnations would be an appropriate gift.
2 verbs:
Whether she passes or fails is her choice.
I couldn’t tell if he was joking or being serious.
2 adjectives:
She can’t decide whether she’s angry or amused.
They’re either stupid or naive.
2 adverbs:
He picked the numbers skillfully or, as my brother says, luckily.
She writes beautifully or terribly, depending on how she feels.
2 adjective clauses:
That’s the city either where he was born or where he went to school. I forget.
That’s the sort of news that either makes you very hopeful or that makes you sad.
2 adverb clauses:
I lost my wallet either when I was in his office or when I was in the cab coming home.
He got the job either because he was the best qualified or because he was related to the boss.
2 noun clauses:
What he said or what he meant to say is that he’s sorry.
Where she lives or who she sees is none of your business.
2 prepositional phrases:
I left the keys either on the mantle or on the hall table.
We can drive on the road or off the road in this truck.
2 infinitive phrases:
Did you take this job to get rich or to help other people?
To be patient or to be proactive is the choice you now have.
2 gerund phrases:
Their options were doing nothing or trying to solve the problem.
Going out for dinner or making dinner at home are our choices.
2 different things:
She is lying either for a good reason or because she’s afraid.
He doesn’t read for the information or to be entertained.
So connects a reason and a result.
So only connects:
2 independent clauses:
The weather report is for rain, so we’ll have to cancel the picnic.
Everyone arrived before 8:00, so the meeting started on time.
(The first clause is the reason and the second clause is the result. You can also join these clauses with because.)
We’ll have to cancel the picnic because the weather report is for rain.
The meeting started on time because everyone arrived before 8:00.
Here is an exercise for these 4 conjunctions:
Now, let’s look at the last 3 conjunctions: for, yet and nor. They are more advanced connectors and not as often used as the first 4.
For connects results and reasons. It is used just like ‘because’, but it always has a comma before it. It is always used in the middle of the sentence, not at the beginning.
For only connects:
2 independent clauses:
I stayed away, for I was told that I wasn’t welcome.
He brought her flowers, for it was their anniversary that day.
[The first clause is the result; the second clause is the reason.]
You can also say:
He brought her flowers because it was their anniversary that day.
Because it was their anniversary that day, he brought her flowers.
BUT never start a sentence with for.
Yet connects things that are opposite or that don’t usually go together. It is used just like ‘but‘, and can connect many things. Just like but, yet is sometimes used with not (yet not, yet he didn’t…) However, don’t confuse yet not with not yet, which means not at this time but later.
Yet connects:
2 independent clauses:
We’ve been working all morning, yet we’re no closer to being done.
She comes to class everyday yet doesn’t do well on the tests.
[Note: no comma before yet because the subject she has been dropped in the second independent clause.]
2 verbs:
He studies yet continues to get poor marks.
They went to bed, yet they didn’t fall asleep for yours.
2 adjectives:
We’re tired yet anxious to finish this project.
The sofa was modern yet comfortable.
2 adverbs:
He works quickly yet carefully.
They seem excited yet afraid to get started.
2 adjective clauses:
It’s the kind of present that looks expensive yet that doesn’t cost too much.
That’s the city where I lived, yet not where I went to school.
2 adverb clauses:
He kissed her when he got home yet not when she left in the morning.
He could watch TV after he came home yet not until he had finished his homework.
2 noun clauses:
What she said yet not what she meant was the topic of conversation.
He could eat what he wanted yet not when he wanted to.
2 prepositional phrases:
There was fire damage on the ceiling yet not on the walls.
He put the date on the calendar yet not in his smart phone where he usually puts such things.
2 infinitive phrases:
To work all day yet to accomplish very little was frustrating.
They were allowed to speak to him yet not to look directly at him.
2 gerund phrases:
Studying for hours yet not passing the mid-term made him frustrated.
She prefers going to bed late yet getting up early the next day.
2 different things:
He likes drinking his coffee black yet with plenty of sugar.
She was in a good mood yet not ready to listen to him.
Nor connects things that are negative. It is often used with neither. With two independent clauses nor requires the following verb to be inverted, just like a question. Also, nor is not followed by other negative words like not or never. With single words, nouns, verbs, etc., nor must be used with neither, which goes before the first of the two things connected.
Nor connects:
2 independent clauses:
I don’t like spaghetti, nor do I like lasagna.
[I don’t like spaghetti, and I don’t like lasagna.]
Note: do I like is the inverted and positive form of I (don’t) like.
She doesn’t waste her money, nor does she waste her time.
[She doesn’t waste money, and she doesn’t waste time.]
Note: does she waste is the inverted and positive form of she (doesn’t) wait.
2 nouns:
Neither John nor his brother knew about the wedding.
He chose neither the Toyota nor the Nissan.
2 verbs:
She neither smokes nor drinks alcohol.
We neither need nor want your assistance.
2 adjectives:
They’re neither rich nor poor.
I’m neither angry nor disappointed that you dropped out of school.
2 adverbs:
He fixed the sink neither quickly nor correctly.
She studied neither hard nor long for the final exam.
Note: 2 adjective clauses cannot be connected with nor.
2 adverb clauses:
She doesn’t hug him when he leaves nor when he gets home.
He doesn’t brush his teeth after he eats nor before he goes to bed.
2 noun clauses:
He wouldn’t tell us what she said nor where she went.
She didn’t know where she was nor what time it was.
2 prepositional phrases:
His backpack wasn’t by the front door nor on the front porch.
She didn’t play sports in the fall nor in the winter.
2 infinitive phrases:
We didn’t want to get you too excited nor to frighten you.
Management didn’t want a gym for their own use nor for the use of the staff.
2 gerund phrases:
She doesn’t like writing letters nor sending emails.
Neither apologizing to her nor sending her flowers had any effect.
2 different things:
She wouldn’t tell me her phone number nor where she lived.
His essay was neither well written nor in the correct format.
© 2013 Ambien Malecot
To express necessity (something must be done) or obligation (someone must do something), you can use must, have to, have got to, need, or had better. Let’s look at these one at a time.
Must is a modal and is always followed by a verb in the simple form. The simple form is the infinitive without the ‘to’, for example: be, do, go, have.
Examples:
I must remember to pick up my aunt at the airport this Friday.
Must you always chew with your mouth open?
In the negative mustn’t (must not) and must never mean it is important that you don’t do it. It’s against the law, against the rules or against what you think is right.
Examples:
You mustn’t park your car here.
You must never lie to your mother.
Have to is another modal, and it is used the same way as must. There is no difference in meaning. Like must, have to is followed by a verb in the simple form.
Examples:
Everyone has to be here on time tomorrow morning.
Everyone must be here on time tomorrow morning.
We have to set up the room for a meeting.
We must set up the room for a meeting.
However don’t have to does not mean the same thing as must not. Don’t have to means that it is allowed but not necessary. There is no rule against it.
Examples:
You have a car, so you don’t have to take the bus anymore.
[You can take the bus if you want to, but it’s not necessary.]
[You cannot say: ‘You have a car, so you mustn’t take the bus anymore’ because it’s still allowed, and you can take the bus if you want to.]
You mustn’t forget to renew your driver’s license.
[It is necessary that you don’t forget.]
[It makes no sense to say: You don’t have to forget to renew your driver’s license. because you have no choice. You must remember.]
NOTE: English speakers also use can’t the same as mustn’t.
Examples:
She can’t talk to me like that. It’s disrespectful.
I’m sorry. You can’t skateboard in this park. It’s against the law.
Another difference between must and have to is that must is never used in the past. You must only use had to.
Examples:
The whole family had to go to the hospital after the accident.
She had to speak to him before he left the city.
The last difference between must and have to is that must can never be used with another modal, but have to can.
Examples:
We may have to leave early today.
She will have to call me as soon as she arrives.
I would have to ask her where she was last night.
Have got to is just another way to say have to. It is mostly used in it’s contracted form ‘ve got to or ‘s got to. It is always followed by a verb in the simple form.
Examples:
I’ve got to tell you that’s the best meal I’ve had in a long time.
She’s got to start spending more time on her studies.
We’ve got to get up really early tomorrow morning.
Have got to is only used in the present or future but never in the past. In the past use had to only.
Example:
I’ve got to go now.
I’ve got to go there tomorrow.
I had to go there last weekend.
Need is another verb you can use for necessity. It can be used in different tenses but is always followed by the infinitive.
Examples:
If I need to contact you, what’s your number?
I needed to make her understand.
She has needed to visit her parents every year since they got married..
Had better is a little stronger than the others because it implies that something bad will happen if the person does not do it. It is only used in the present or future and is followed by a verb in the simple form. Sometimes the bad result is stated after or, but it’s often dropped because it’s not necessary to say.
Examples:
He’d better remember to buy her something nice for her birthday, or she’ll never speak to him again.
She had better be on time for her interview, or there’s no way she’ll get the job.
You’d better wash your hands after touching that fish. [or you’ll get food poisoning.]
It’s after midnight. We’d better turn down the music. [or someone may call the police.]
Study this page again, and when you’re ready, do the following exercise.
© 2013 Ambien Malecot
The present perfect continuous is used for an action that started in the past and continues to the present. In other words, the action is still ongoing. The present perfect can also be used, but can sometimes be confusing because it is also used in 2 other situations. Therefore, it’s a good idea if you have a choice between the present perfect and the present perfect continuous that you choose the present perfect continuous.
This tense is formed with 3 verbs: the auxiliary have or has, the past participle been, and the present participle (verb + ing)
The words for and since are often used with this tense
Examples:
They have been living in that house for twenty years. (and they still do (ongoing))
She’s been taking piano lessons since she was five years old. (and she still does (ongoing))
Watch out for the word for, and use the simple past if the action is finished.
Examples:
She lived in California for ten years. (She doesn’t live there anymore (not ongoing))
I babysat the neighbor’s daughter for two weeks last summer. (This happened last summer (not ongoing))
Also, use the present perfect continuous with all day, all week, and any other time periods that are not yet finished. If the time period is finished, however, then use the simple past.
Examples:
We’ve been waiting all day to hear the results. (It’s still the same day.)
We waited all day to hear the results. (It’s now the following day.)
I have been trying to call her all week, but she isn’t answering her phone. (It’s still that same week.)
I tried to call her all last week, but she didn’t answer her phone. (It’s now the following week.)
Have you been sleeping all morning? (It’s still morning.)
Did you sleep all morning? (It’s now the afternoon.)
Also, use the present perfect continuous with the question how long.
Examples:
How long have you been playing the piano?
How long has she been modeling?
When you use these verbs, do not use the present perfect continuous but use the present perfect only:
be believe belong exist forget hate
have* hear know like love need
own possess prefer remember see understand want
* when “have” means “possess,” not when “have” means “experience.”
If you have these words: so far, to date, and up to now, use only the present perfect even though the verbs seem ongoing.
Examples:
So far we’ve made $160 washing cars. (and we’re still washing cars (ongoing))
To date I’ve seen six of his films. (and I will continue to watch more (ongoing))
The dogs have been very quiet up to now. (and they are still quiet (ongoing))
© 2013 Ambien Malecot
If you want your writing and especially your speaking to get better, learn how to use reported speech. It raises your level of English a lot, and you’ll know this grammar probably better than most English speakers. Reported speech, or indirect speech, is used when you are reporting (telling someone) what someone else said. This is different than direct speech where you use quotation marks. Let’s look at the difference:
Examples:
She said, “ I’m bored and I’m going to my friend’s house.” (Direct speech)
She said that she was bored and that she was going to her friend’s house. (Indirect speech)
The difference in these two examples is that in direct speech the words inside the quotation marks (“ ”) are the same words that came out of the person’s mouth. They are exactly her words. In reported speech, you say what the person said in your words. Therefore, some of the words are different, but the meaning is the same.
Some of the words are different because these words were probably said in the past and in a different place. Therefore, the words that change are pronouns, possessive adjectives, and verb tenses. Notice in the examples above that “I” changes to “she” and ‘m (am) changes to “was.” This is because the reporter of the speech is not the person who originally said the words. Therefore, I, who is the person speaking, changes to she, who is the person reported on. In the same way, the original speaker talked in the present tense (am), but when the reporter reports the speech, he or she is usually doing it later, so the verb tense cannot be present. It must be past (was). My, which belongs to the person talking, changes to her from my point of view.
In reported statements, that can be dropped anytime before a subject and verb, so I will put it in parentheses – (that). When you see this word in the examples that follow, remember that you can drop it if you want to.
There are several reporting verbs that you can use. The 2 most common are said and told.
Use said for the reporting verb if you don’t have a person or people after it:
Examples:
He said (that) he arrived before noon.
They said (that) they had a good time at our party.
(Sometimes people say: They said to us (that) they had a good time at our party, but this is far less common.)
Use told if you have a person or people after it. This person or people can be a pronoun (me, you, him, her, us, them) or a noun (our parents, the police, etc.):
Examples:
We told our parents (that) we were coming straight home.
They told us (that) they needed more time to prepare.
Here are some more examples of statements in reported speech:
She said, “I study hard because I want to pass.” (quoted speech)
She said (that) she studied hard because she wanted to pass. (reported speech)
He told her, “I’m bored, so I want to do something interesting.” (quoted speech)
He told her (that) he was bored, so he wanted to do something interesting. (reported speech)
If the time hasn’t changed when you report the speech, then you don’t have to change the present tense to the past, but you can if you want to, and there’s no difference in meaning.
Examples:
He said, “I usually eat a quick breakfast and then get a cup of coffee on my way to work.” (quoted speech)
He said (that) he usually eats a quick breakfast and then gets a cup of coffee on his way to work. (reported speech)
He said (that) he usually ate a quick breakfast and then got a cup of coffee on his way to work. (reported speech)
She said, “I often listen to music when I study.” (quoted speech)
She said (that) she often listens to music when she studies. (reported speech)
She said (that) she often listened to music when she studied. (reported speech)
He said, “It rains when there are cumulus clouds in the sky.” (quoted speech)
He said (that) it rains when there are cumulus clouds in the sky. (reported speech)
He said (that) it rained when there were cumulus clouds in the sky. (reported speech)
These verb tenses change in reported speech:
present simple –> past simple
Example:
He said, “I like to eat watermelon in the summertime.” (quoted speech)
He said (that) he liked to eat watermelon in the summertime. (reported speech)
present continuous –> past continuous
Example:
They said, “We are putting together a basketball team.” (quoted speech)
They said (that) they were putting together a basketball team. (reported speech)
These modals change:
can –> could
Example:
She said, “I can help you after work.” (quoted speech)
She said (that) she could help them after work. (reported speech)
will –> would
Example:
He said, “I’ll meet you at the library.” (quoted speech)
He said (that) he would meet me at the library. (reported speech)
may –> might
Example:
I said, “You may want to bring a coat with you.” (quoted speech)
I said (that) you might want to bring a coat with you. (reported speech)
have to –> had to
Example:
They said, “We have to finish the project before Friday.” (quoted speech)
They said (that) they had to finish the project before Friday. (reported speech)
must –> had to
Example:
We said, “We must win this game for the coach.” (quoted speech)
We said (that) we had to win the game for the coach. (reported speech)
These modals don’t change:
could
Example:
She told us, “I could remember everyone’s name.” (quoted speech)
She told us (that) she could remember everyone’s name. (reported speech)
would
Example:
I told him, “You would sleep better with the lights off.” (quoted speech)
I told him (that) he would sleep better with the lights off. (reported speech)
should
Example:
The coach told the team, “Everyone should get a good night’s sleep.” (quoted speech)
The coach told the team (that) everyone should get a good night’s sleep. (reported speech)
The easiest kind of reported speech is when someone gives a command. To report a command, use told and change the verb to the infinitive (with to).
Examples:
Their mother said to them, “Do your homework before dinner.” (quoted speech)
Their mother told them to do their homework before dinner. (reported speech)
He told his brother, “Wait for me after school.” (quoted speech)
He told his brother to wait for him after school. (reported speech)
If the command is negative, then put not before the infinitive.
Examples:
She said, “Don’t forget to lock the door.” (quoted speech)
She told me not to forget to lock the door. (reported speech)
Her mother said, “Don’t wear your good shoes to school.” (quoted speech)
Her mother told her not to wear her good shoes to school. (reported speech)
You can also use an infinitive when you report a request, which uses can, could, will or would. Use the reporting verb asked.
Examples:
My friend said to me, ”Could you please help me get started?” (quoted speech)
My friend asked me to help him get started. (reported speech)
Susan said, “Will you open the salsa jar for me?” (quoted speech)
Susan asked me to open the salsa jar for her. (reported speech)
© 2013 Ambien Malecot
Reported speech can be more complicated than I showed you on the Reported speech – basic page. For example, there are more words that change besides pronouns, possessive adjectives, and verb tenses. Place words and time words also change.
To review, the first kind of reported speech is with statements. All the examples below are statements. Later we’ll look at imperatives, questions and other types of sentences.
In a statement that can be dropped anytime before a subject and verb, so I will put it in parentheses – (that). When you see this word in the examples that follow, remember that you can drop it if you want to.
It’s important to know which words you have to change in reported speech.
These verb tenses change:
present simple –> past simple
Example:
He said, “I like to eat watermelon in the summertime.”
He said (that) he liked to eat watermelon in the summertime..
present continuous –> past continuous
Example:
They said, “We are putting together a basketball team.”
They said (that) they were putting together a basketball team.
past simple –> past perfect
Example:
He told them, “I went to our usual pub, but none of you were there.”
He told them (that) he had gone to their usual pub, but (that) none of them had been there.
present perfect –> past perfect
Example:
He said, “My family have lived in this area for generations.”
He said (that) his family had lived in that area for generations.
present perfect continuous –> past perfect continuous
Example:
They said, “We’ve been practicing for hours.”
They said (that) they’d been practicing for hours.
Past continuous –> past perfect continuous
Example:
She said, “I was working in the garden all afternoon.”
She said (that) she had been working in the garden all afternoon.
However, these verb tenses don’t change:
past perfect –> past perfect
Example:
I said to her, “I had forgotten to lock the door.”
I told her (that) I had forgotten to lock the door.
past perfect continuous –> past perfect continuous
Example:
She said, “I had been wondering about that for a long time.”
She said (that) she had been wondering about that for a long time.
The following modals change:
will –> would
Example:
He told me, “I’ll be there at 11:00 at the very latest.”
He told me (that) he would be here at 11:00 at the very latest.
can –> could
Example:
She said, “I can be at the meeting tomorrow morning.”
She said (that) she could be at the meeting tomorrow morning.
may –> might
Example:
She said, “I may be late, but I’ll be there.”
She said (that) she might be late, but (that) she’d be there.
have to –> had to
Example:
He told her, “I have to go to New York on business.”
He told her (that) he had to go to New York on business.
must –> had to
Example:
She said, “I must see the dentist sometime this month.”
She said (that) she had to see the dentist sometime this month.
However, these modals don’t change:
might –> might
Example:
He told them, “There’s one thing I might do for you.”
He told them (that) there was one thing he might do for them.
could –> could
Example:
He said, “I couldn’t come yesterday because I lost my car keys.”
He said (that) he couldn’t come yesterday because he had lost his car keys.
would –> would
Example:
I told them, “I would visit more often if I could.”
I told them (that) I would visit more often if I could.
should –> should
Example:
She said to him, “I think I should go stay with my aunt in Toronto.”
She told him (that) she thought she should go stay with her aunt in Toronto
ought to –> ought to
Example:
Mother told the children,” You ought to keep your rooms clean.”
Mother told the children (that) they ought to keep their rooms clean.
had better –> had better
Example:
I said to her, “You’d better not be late for your appointment.”
I said (that) she’d better not be late for her appointment.
used to –> used to
Example:
He said, “I used to be a fireman in Chicago.”
He said (that) he used to be a fireman in Chicago.
Place words often change. However, if the place hasn’t changed from the direct speech to the reported speech, then don’t change these words:
here –> there
this –> that
these –> those
Examples:
He said, “I’m supposed to meet him here later.”
He told me (that) he was supposed to meet him there later.
(I’m in a different place when I report the speech.)
They said to us, “You can use this room for a meeting.
They said (that) we could use that room for a meeting.
(We’re in a different place when we report the speech.)
He said, “I read these books when I was young.”
He said (that) he had read those books when he was young.
(The person is in a different place when he reports the speech.)
Time words often change. However, if the time is still the same at the time of the reporting, then don’t change the time word.
next –> the following
last –> the previous / the ____ before
today –> that day
tomorrow –> the next day / the following day
yesterday –> the previous day / the day before
now –> then
in ____ –> ____ later
this –> that
Examples:
She said, “The store is having a sale next Friday.”
She told us (that) the store was having a sale the following Friday.
I said to him, “I didn’t sleep very well last night.”
I told him (that) I hadn’t slept very well the previous night (the night before.)
He told me, “My girlfriend is leaving for Los Angeles today.”
He told me (that) his girlfriend was leaving for Los Angeles that day.
They told us, “We’re having a game tomorrow at the park.”
They told us (that) they were having a game the next day (the following day) at the park.
He said to him, ”I couldn’t find my bus pass yesterday.”
He told him (that) he couldn’t find his bus pass the previous day (the day before.)
I told her, “You have to come with me now.”
I told her (that) she had to come with me then.
She said, “I‘ll be finished in half an hour.”
She said (that) she would be finished half an hour later.
John said, “I can help you this Saturday.”
John said (that) he could help us that Saturday.
In addition to statements, there are other kinds of sentences that you can report.
The imperative (commands) is a little different than statements in reported speech. The verb becomes an infinitive (with to). Use told for your reporting verb or asked if there is a “please.”
Examples:
I said to her, “Go pick up the kids.”
I told her to go pick up the kids.
He said to them, “Please take your seats.”
He asked them to take their seats.
We said to the team, “Do your best but most of all have fun.”
We told the team to do their best but most of all to have fun.
The nurse said to us, “Please wait here and someone will be with you shortly.”
The nurse asked us to wait here and (that) someone would be with us shortly.
Questions are also different in reported speech.
If it is a yes/no or a choice question, then use if. Always use the reporting verb asked. Also, there is no inversion of the subject and verb like in a real question. Also remember to drop the question mark (?) because it’s no longer a question.
Examples:
He said, “Would you like coffee or tea?” (Choice)
He asked us if we would like coffee or tea.
My neighbor said, “Could you look after my dog for a week?” (Yes or no)
My neighbor asked me if I could look after her dog for a week.
He said, “Is it on the top or the bottom shelf?” (Choice)
He asked if it was on the top or the bottom shelf.
He asked her, “Do you live around here?” (Yes or no)
He asked her if she lived around here.
Notice that there is no subject-verb inversion (would we or could we) in reported questions. Always put the subject before the verb in reported speech (we would or we could).
If it’s an information question (who, what, where, when, why, how), then repeat the question word. As above, don’t invert the subject and verb. Again, drop the question mark.
Examples:
She said, “What time is it?”
She asked me what time it was.
He asked her, “Where can I go for coffee around here?”
He asked her where he could go for coffee around there.
He asked me, “Why are you always so tired?”
He asked me why I was always so tired.
We asked him, “How can we find out if we passed or not?”
We asked him how we could find out if we had passed or not.
When reporting invitations, there are 2 ways to do it – the regular way or with an infinitive. Use the reporting verbs invited or asked. Once again, drop the question mark.
Examples:
She said to him, “Would you like to go on a picnic with us?”
She asked him if he would like to go on a picnic with them.
She invited him to go on a picnic with them.
He said to her, “Would you please not smoke in my car?”
He asked her if she would not smoke in his car..
He asked her not to smoke in his car.
[Note that the not is before to, not after.]
We said to them, “Would you like to come over for coffee?”
We asked them if they would like to come over for coffee.
We invited them to come over for coffee.
When reporting advice, there are 2 ways to do it – the regular way or with the infinitive. Use the reporting verb told or advised.
Examples:
He said to his daughter, “You should clean up a bit before he arrives.”
He told his daughter (that) she should clean up a bit before he arrived.
He advised his daughter to clean up a bit before he arrived.
She told her boyfriend, “You should call me when you arrive in Calgary.”
She told her boyfriend (that) he should call her when he arrived in Calgary.
She advised her boyfriend to call her when he arrived in Calgary.
The teacher said to the students, “You should check your writing for mistakes.”
The teacher told the students (that) they should check their writing for mistakes.
The teacher advised the students to check their writing for mistakes.
When reporting requests, do it the regular way or use the infinitive. The reporting verb is asked.
Examples:
The coach said to the team, “Could you please be on time tomorrow?”
The coach asked the team if they could be on time the following day.
The coach asked the team to be on time the following day.
The man said to us, “Would you please be quiet so I can hear my cellphone.?”
The man asked us if we would please be quiet so he could hear his cellphone.
The man asked us to please be quiet so he could hear his cellphone
I said to him, “Can you help me move on the weekend?”
I asked him if he could help me move on the weekend.
I asked him to help me move on the weekend.
When reporting permission given, do it the regular way or use an infinitive. The reporting verbs to use are told, invited or gave (someone) permission.
Examples:
I said to Jonathan, “You can stay at my place for awhile.”
I told Jonathan (that) he could stay at my place for awhile.
I invited Jonathan to stay at my place for awhile.
He said to his friend, “You can use my bike this afternoon.”
He told his friend (that) he could use his bike that afternoon.”
He gave his friend permission to use his bike that afternoon.
We told them, “You can stay here until the store closes.”
We told them (that) they could stay until the store closed.
We invited them to stay until the store closed.
One last thing. If the reporting verb is in the present tense (say, tell, ask), or if you’re reporting the speech immediately, then make no verb changes.
Examples:
She said, “What time are we going home?”
She asked what time we are going home. [Immediate reporting. No change in time or place.]
His friend always tells him, “You would be rich if you worked harder.”
His friend always tells him (that) he would be rich if he worked harder. [Reporting verb is present tense.]
They asked us, “Will you help us.”
They asked us if we will help them. [Immediate reporting.]
Let’s review:
Statements:
She said, “The rainbow is beautiful.”
She said (that) the rainbow was beautiful.
Imperative:
He told the class, “Take your seats.”
He told the class to take their seats.
Yes/no or choice question:
John said, “Would you please stop talking.”
John asked them if they would stop talking.
Information question:
They asked me, “When will the game start?”
They asked me when the game would start.
Reporting invitations, advice, requests and permission:
We told them, “You can stay overnight, but you must leave in the morning.
We told them (that) they could stay overnight but they had to leave in the morning.
We invited them to stay overnight but they had to leave in the morning.
Immediate reporting or when the reporting verb is present tense – no verb tense change:
She asks me all the time, “Are you going for a run?”
She asks me all the time if I‘m going for a run.
Study this page again, and when you’re ready, take the following quiz.
© 2013 Ambien Malecot
To express ability, you can use either can or be able to. The most common way is with can, which is used for the present or the future: I can swim. I can meet you tomorrow. In the past can becomes could: I could run faster when I was younger. With be able to the verb be can be in different tenses: I am able to sleep anywhere. I will be able to sleep later. I was able to sleep on my flight. I’ve been able to sleep better since I found a job.
When you’re talking about a general ability in the present, you can use can or be able to. Most English speakers use can most often.
Examples:
I can run pretty fast if I have to.
I’m able to run pretty fast if I have to.
She can have a family and a career at the same time.
She’s able to have a family and a career at the same time.
When you’re talking about a general ability in the future, use can or will be able to. Most English speakers use can most often.
Examples:
I can help you this weekend.
I’ll be able to help you this weekend.
The doctor can see you at 4:00 today.
The doctor will be able to see you at 4:00 today.
When you’re talking about a general ability in the past, use could or was able to.
Examples:
When I was a child, I could climb almost any tree.
When I was a child, I was able to climb almost any tree.
She could walk to school in ten minutes.
She was able to walk to school in ten minutes.
However, when you’re talking about a one-time ability in the past, you can only use was able to.
Examples:
I was able to get tickets for the concert.
NOT: I could get tickets for the concert.
They were able to help us find our dog.
NOT: They could help us find our dog.
Exception:
In the negative you can use both couldn’t and wasn’t able to.
Examples:
She asked me but I couldn’t help.
She asked me but I wasn’t able to help.
Couldn’t you get tickets for the game?
Weren’t you able to get tickets for the game?
One last thing. You cannot use can or could with another modal verb or as an infinitive. You must use be able to.
Examples:
I may be able to help you on the weekend.
NOT: I may can help you on the weekend.
We should be able to finish by dinnertime.
NOT: We should can finish by dinnertime.
She wants to be able to graduate by next summer.
NOT: She wants to can graduate by next summer.
Here are some expressions in English that always use can rather than be able to.
I can get started right away.
Can you believe that!
Can you help me?
If I can, I will.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am.
You can’t miss it.
Can’t you do something?
You can’t tell me you didn’t know.
When you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.
© 2013 Ambien Malecot