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56
REPORTED SPEECH
We use reported speech when we are saying what other people say, think or believe.
He says he wants it. We think you are right. I believe he loves her.
Yesterday you said you didn't like it but now you do!
She told me he had asked her to marry him. I told you she was ill. We thought he was in Australia.
When we are reporting things in the present, future or present perfect we don't change the tense.
He thinks he loves her. I'll tell her you are coming. He has said he'll do it.
When we tell people what someone has said in the past, we generally make the tense 'more in the past'.
You look very nice. = I told him he looked very nice.
He's working in Siberia now. = She told me he was working in Siberia now.
Polly has bought a new car. = She said Polly had bought a new car.
Jo can't come for the weekend. = She said Jo couldn't come for the weekend.
Paul called and left a message. = He told me Paul had called and had left me a message.
I'll give you a hand. = He said he would give me a hand.
However, when we are reporting something that was said in the past but is still true, it is not obligatory to make the
tense 'more in the past'. The choice is up to the speaker. For example:
"The train doesn't stop here". He said the train doesn't stop here. He said the train didn't stop here.
"I like Sarah". She said she likes Sarah. She said she liked Sarah.
When we are reporting what was said, we sometimes have to change other words in the sentence.
We have to change the pronoun if we are reporting what someone else said. Compare these two sentences. In each
case the person actually said: "I don't want to go".
I said I didn't want to go. Bill said he didn't want to go.
We have to change words referring to 'here and now' if we are reporting what was said in a different place or time.
Compare these two sentences. In each case the person actually said: "I'll be there at ten tomorrow".
(If it is later the same day) He said he would be there at ten tomorrow.
(If it is the next day) He said he would be there at ten today.
Now compare these two sentences.
(If we are in a different place) He said he would be there tomorrow at ten.
(If we are in the place he is coming to) He said he would be here at ten tomorrow.
СONDITIONAL
The first conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about future events that are likely to happen.
If we take Jack, he'll be really pleased. If you give me some money, I'll pay you back tomorrow.
The 'if' clause can be used with different present forms.
If I go to Moscow again, I'll buy you Matryoshka. If he's feeling better, he'll come.
If she hasn't heard the bad news yet, I'll tell her.
The "future clause" can contain 'going to' or the future perfect as well as 'will'.
If I see him, I'm going to tell him exactly how angry I am.
If we don't get the contract, we'll have wasted a lot of time and money.
The "future clause" can also contain other modal verbs such as 'can' and 'must'.
If you go to New York, you must have the cheesecake in Lindy's. If he comes, you can get a lift home with him.
The second conditional
The second conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situations.
If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in Hyde Park.
If I had millions dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less disease.
Note that after I/he/she/it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'. (Some people think that 'were' is the
only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct'.)
If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.
If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day. If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.
Note the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.
If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live. If I were you, I'd go back to school and get more qualifications.
The second conditional is also used to talk about 'unlikely' situations.
If I went to China, I'd visit the Great Wall. If I was the President, I'd reduce taxes.
If you were in my position, you'd understand.
Note that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a question of the speaker's attitude rather
than of facts. Compare these examples. Otto thinks these things are possible, Peter doesn't.
Otto – If I win the lottery, I'll buy a big house. Peter – If I won the lottery, I'd buy a big house.
Otto – If I get promoted, I'll throw a big party. Peter – If I got promoted, I'd throw a big party.
Otto – If my team win the Cup, I'll buy champagne for everybody. Peter – If my team won the Cup, I'd buy champagne
for everybody.
Note that the 'If clause' can contain the Past Simple or the Past Continuous.
If I was still working in Brighton, I would commute by train.
If she were coming, she would be here by now. If they were thinking of selling, I would want to buy.
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