0
Tenacious Learner Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

'COULD' in Reported Speech.

Hi teachers,

when you have 'could' in direct speech, does it change in reported speech?

For example:

Susan: I braked as hard as I could.

Reported Speech:

She had braked as hard as she could.

Thanks in advance
  

Top answer

Thinking Spain Susan: I braked as hard as I could. Reported Speech: She had braked as hard as she could. " Susan: I will brake as hard as I can.

— Avangi

  • Thinking Spain Susan: I braked as hard as I could.
  • Reported Speech: She had braked as hard as she could.
  • " Susan: I will brake as hard as I can.
  • Susan said she would brake as hard as she could.
  • " She had braked as hard as she had been able.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
Thinking SpainSusan: I braked as hard as I could.
Reported Speech:
She had braked as hard as she could.
There's no change in "could."

If you backshift from "can," then you end up with "could."

Susan: I will brake as hard as I can.

Susan said she would brake as hard as she could. (I think backshifting
0
0
Thank you very much Avangi. Your example is very clear.
0
0
You're welcome.

I wish I could agree with you. These things can get messy. Emotion: nodding - A.
0
0
They really can get messy, but you always tidy them up!Emotion: wink +A
0

Related Questions