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Sophianz Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Changing direct speech into indirect speech
Hello. I have a question about direct/indirect speech.
I have to change the following direct speech sentences into indirect speech ones. My question is which tense is correct. If you can find any other mistakes, please let me know.
I would appreciate it if you could help me.
direct speech
"It's been a story of exclusion ever since he was born," said. "When he was eight months old, the doctors told us we should just put him away in an institution --- he'd be in a vegetative state all his life."
indirect speech
said that it [was / had been] a story of exclusion ever since he [was / had been] born and that when he [was / had been] eight months old, the doctors [told / had told] us we should just put him away in an institution --- he [would be / would have been] in a vegetative state all his life.
Thank you.
I have to change the following direct speech sentences into indirect speech ones. My question is which tense is correct. If you can find any other mistakes, please let me know.
I would appreciate it if you could help me.
direct speech
"It's been a story of exclusion ever since he was born," said. "When he was eight months old, the doctors told us we should just put him away in an institution --- he'd be in a vegetative state all his life."
indirect speech
said that it [was / had been] a story of exclusion ever since he [was / had been] born and that when he [was / had been] eight months old, the doctors [told / had told] us we should just put him away in an institution --- he [would be / would have been] in a vegetative state all his life.
Thank you.
Top answer
First, which verb forms do you choose, Sophia? Please post your chosen text and we'll review it.
- First, which verb forms do you choose, Sophia?
- Please post your chosen text and we'll review it.
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4 Answers
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First, which verb forms do you choose, Sophia? Please post your chosen text and we'll review it.
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My answers are as follows. Am I correct?
He said that it had been a story of exclusion ever since he had been born and that when he had been eight months old, the doctors had told us we should just put him away in an institution --- he would be in a vegetative state all his life.
The subject was omitted. I am sorry.
He said that it had been a story of exclusion ever since he had been born and that when he had been eight months old, the doctors had told us we should just put him away in an institution --- he would be in a vegetative state all his life.
The subject was omitted. I am sorry.
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I'll use 'she' for clarity:
She said that it had been a story of exclusion ever since he was born and that when he was eight months old, the doctors had told them they should just put him away in an institution—he would be in a vegetative state all his life.
Native speakers normally use simple past in the dependent clauses of past perfect senten
She said that it had been a story of exclusion ever since he was born and that when he was eight months old, the doctors had told them they should just put him away in an institution—he would be in a vegetative state all his life.
Native speakers normally use simple past in the dependent clauses of past perfect senten
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