c17 u9 project indirect speech with modals

INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS


Look at the following conversation…


We have to expand our businesses in China.



The manager said that we had to expand our businesses in China.



The manager said that we had to expand our businesses in China.

When we say what other person said, it is called “INDIRECT SPEECH”. Look in this conversation how the verb “HAVE” changes to past in the INDIRECT SPEECH.

INDIRECT SPEECH


Look at this other conversation…


We sold 1’000.000 computers in China



Action in Past



The manager said that we had sold 1’000’000 computers in China.

Action in Past




INDIRECT SPEECH (in Past)

Action in Past




In this case, notice that the verb “SOLD” changes to its PAST PERFECT form (HAD SOLD) because the INDIRECT SPEECH is referring to an action in the past. When the

verb changes from one tense to another, it is called “BACKSHIFT”

INDIRECT SPEECH (in Past)

Action in Past


Let’s talk about MODAL VERBS in the INDIRECT SPEECH


First, let’s remember some MODAL VERBS and what they

express…


MODAL VERBS


MODAL VERBS

WILL To express future.


MODAL VERBS


CAN To express ability or possibility.


MODAL VERBS



MAY To express possibility.


MODAL VERBS




MUST To express obligation or logical conclusion.


MODAL VERBS





HAVE TO To express obligation or need.


MODAL VERBS





HAVE TO To express obligation or need.

This MODAL VERBS also “BACKSHIFT”


I forgot to send the report! I will send it in 5 minutes.



Mark forgot to send the report! He said that he would send it in 5 minutes.




INDIRECT SPEECH




To use the modal verb “WILL” in INDIRECT SPEECH you have to BACKSHIFT it. The BACKSHIFT of WILL

is WOULD

INDIRECT SPEECH


Let’s see the MODAL VERBS and their BACKSHIFT IN INDIRECT

SPEECH…


MODAL VERBS

WILL WOULD

CAN COULD

MAY MIGHT

MUST HAD TO

HAVE TO HAD TO


MODAL VERBS

WILL WOULD

CAN COULD

MAY MIGHT

MUST HAD TO

HAVE TO HAD TO

If this MODAL VERB is used in

the DIRECT SPEECH…

You have to use this form (BACKSHIFT)


I forgot to send the report! I can send it in 5 minutes.

Direct Speech



Mark forgot to send the report! He said that he could send it in 5 minutes.

Direct Speech


I forgot to send the report! I cansend it in 5 minutes.


INDIRECT SPEECH

Direct Speech




INDIRECT SPEECH

Direct Speech

If the DIRECT SPEECH uses “CAN” in the INDIRECT SPEECH “CAN” changes to “COULD.”


More Examples….


I am arriving a little late. I may be there soon.

Direct Speech



John called. He said that he might be here soon.

INDIRECT SPEECH

Direct Speech



John called. He said that he might be here soon.

INDIRECT SPEECH

Direct Speech

If the DIRECT SPEECH uses “MAY” in the INDIRECT SPEECH “MAY” changes to “MIGHT.”


An example with the modal verb MUST…


I must finish this for tomorrow.

Direct Speech


I must finish this for tomorrow.

Direct Speech

“He said that he had to finish this for tomorrow”

If the DIRECT SPEECH uses “MUST” in the INDIRECT SPEECH “MUST” changes to “HAD TO.”

INDIRECT SPEECH


Some modals DON’T BACKSHIFT!


MODAL VERBS

WOULD

COULD

MIGHT

SHOULD

OUGHT TO

When these MODAL VERBS are used in the DIRECT SPEECH, they DON’T BACKSHIFT in

the INDIRECT SPEECH.


Oh, my God!! We are late!! We should hurry to catch the school bus!!!

Direct Speech


Oh, my God!! We are late!! We should hurry to catch the school bus!!!

Direct Speech

“She said that they should hurry to catch the school bus”

INDIRECT SPEECH


Remember the PERFECT MODALS? Well, if they are used in INDIRECT

SPEECH, they never BACKSHIFT


PERFECT MODALS

He should have arrived earlier(él debiera haber llegado mas temprano)

Mark could have brought his car(Mark pudo haber traido su carro)

Xiomara would have won the lottery(Xiomara habría ganado la loteria)


I’ve been waiting for Marilyn for over one hour! Where’s she? She must have forgotten about our date.

Direct Speech with Perfect Modal

EXAMPLE…




“He said that Marilyn must have forgotten about their date”

INDIRECT SPEECH

EXAMPLE…




“He said that Marilyn must have forgotten about their date”

INDIRECT SPEECH

The PERFECT MODAL doesn’t change

EXAMPLE…


Thank you!!!

c17 u9 project indirect speech with modals

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