English Grammar Reported Speech Flashcards
7 cards from real English Grammar Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 English Grammar Reported Speech flashcards as text
He said, 'I have been working all day.' What is the reported speech?
Answer: He said he had been working all day.
Present perfect continuous 'have been working' backshifts to past perfect continuous 'had been working.'
She said, 'I don't know the answer.' What is the reported speech?
Answer: She said she didn't know the answer.
Simple present 'don't know' backshifts to simple past 'didn't know' in reported speech.
Which sentence correctly reports the question: 'Did she pass the exam?'
Answer: Both B and C are acceptable.
Both 'passed' (no change) and 'had passed' (backshifted) are acceptable reported forms.
The coach said, 'Train harder!' What is the reported speech?
Answer: The coach told us to train harder.
Imperatives become 'told + object + to-infinitive' in reported speech.
She said, 'I was cooking dinner.' What is the reported speech?
Answer: She said she had been cooking dinner.
Past continuous 'was cooking' backshifts to past perfect continuous 'had been cooking.'
He said, 'I should study more.' What is the reported speech?
Answer: He said he should study more.
'Should' does not change in reported speech — it remains 'should.'
She asked, 'Have you eaten yet?' What is the reported speech?
Answer: Both B and C are correct.
Present perfect backshifts to past perfect, and 'yet' can remain or be replaced by 'already' in reported speech.