Lesson 1: Grammar

Lesson 1: Grammar 

Lesson 1: Grammar Banner

Grammar

Watch the video below.

Rules

Rules for forming reported speech

 

1) The tense of the verb in direct speech changes in reported speech.
am/is –> was are –> were have/has –> had simple present –> simple past will –> would can –> could

 

2) The simple past in direct speech (started) can stay the same in reported speech, or we can use the past perfect (had started).

 

3) We can leave out the word that.
Peter said that he was at home. Peter said he was at home.

 

4) If the situation has not changed, it is not necessary to change the tense.
Peter said that he was at home. (Maybe he is still at home now. Maybe he isn’t.)
Peter said he is at home. (He is still at home now.)

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Lesson 1: Grammar

Read part of an interview

Read part of an interview with a fictitious book writer, Joe Harrplayer.

David: Tell us what made you begin your writing career.

Joe: I was in my last year at university when I realized I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life. At that time, my best friend told me that he liked reading my blog and I should try writing something longer. So I did, and that’s how my first book came into existence.

D: We should thank your best friend, then. Personally, I believe that you are a master at storytelling! Where do you get your inspiration from?

J: That’s funny! My wife asked me where I got all the ideas from the day before. To be honest, I don’t know how it works. It just happens - sometimes out of nowhere.     

D: What’s your next move and when can we expect your next book?

J: Well, I’m planning to start a new book tomorrow! Just kidding. I say that all the time, but my busy schedule makes it impossible. I can tell you that I came up with a great story last summer. So I know what I want to write and I promise that I will start writing this year.

D: Thanks for talking and good luck with your new project.

J: Thanks for having me. You don’t realize it, but you’ve just made my father’s dream come true. He said once that he’d always dreamt of seeing me in this show!

Show What You Learned

Click below to complete the interactive.

Grammar Interactive: Choose the correct form of verb.

 

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Lesson 1: Grammar: Practice 

Show What You Learned 

Click below to launch a practice activity.
Try your best!

Grammar Interactive: Put the sentences in the reported speech order