Direct and Indirect Speech ?
Hi. Why are some reporting verbs are in the present simple, yet others are in the past simple in the direct speech ? And why a change in tense and pronouns happens from the direct speech to the indirect when only the reporting verbs are in the past simple ?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Top answer
If something was said recently and is still true / still relevant, we can probably use a present-tense reporting verb for indirect speech. It makes the content seem more immediate. ".
- If something was said recently and is still true / still relevant, we can probably use a present-tense reporting verb for indirect speech.
- It makes the content seem more immediate.
- ".
- g.
- present-tense narrative) .
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If something was said recently and is still true / still relevant, we can probably use a present-tense reporting verb for indirect speech. It makes the content seem more immediate. For example, "President Trump says he will make America great again", "My sister tells me that you're getting married!". If something was said a long time ago then you must use a past-tense reporting verb
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