LoginModals in Indirect Speech
Modals can be used in indirect speech to help us quote a conversation or dialogue for other people.
Using Modal Verbs in Indirect Speech
Modal verbs use backshift when they are used in indirect speech. Backshift refers to the changing of a present tense in direct speech to a past tense in reported speech (or a past tense to a past perfect tense). Here is the backshift of modals on the table:
Using Will
Will is a modal verb that is used to refer to future action. Here are the changes when it is used in an indirect speech:
direct speech: He said: "I will take a bus to your house."
indirect speech: He said, he would take a bus to my house.
Using Shall
Usually, we use the modal verb shall to talk about making offers or suggestions. When the direct sentence is used to refer to a future event, we should use would in the indirect speech, but when shall is used to make offers or suggestions we use should instead of shall in the indirect speech.
direct speech: He said, "shall I pick you up?" → making offers
indirect speech: He asked if he should pick me up.
direct speech: Marco said: "I shall go home tomorrow." → talking about the future
indirect speech: Marco said he would go home the following day.
Using Can
When we use 'can' in direct speech to talk about abilities and possibilities we use could in indirect speech. Here are the examples:
direct speech: They said, "We can bring the wine."
indirect speech: They said they could bring the wine.
Using May
We usually use the modal verb may to talk about possibilities. We can also use may to ask for or give permission. when we use may to talk about possibilities in direct speech, we use might as an alternative in indirect speech. If we use may to ask for permission or give permission then we should use could in indirect speech.
direct speech: Mania said, "I may go to the party now." → talking about possibility
indirect speech: Mania said she might go to the party then.
direct speech: You asked, may I use the bathroom?" → asking for permission
indirect speech: You asked if you could use the bathroom.
Using Must
The modal verb must is used particularly to imply obligation. When we want to show obligation in the indirect speech we can use had to or even must. Here are the examples:
direct speech: He said, "you must take responsibility of your own life."
indirect speech: He said I must/had to take responsibility of my own life.
Review
The only modal verbs that change when they are used in indirect speech are: will, shall, can, may, must. Check the backshifts on the table:
direct | indirect |
|---|---|
will | would |
shall | would or should |
can | could |
may | might or could |
must | had to or no change |
Quiz:
How should the question "May I leave early?" be reported?
She asked if she may leave early.
She asked if she might leave early.
She asked if she could leave early.
She asked if she should leave early.
Which of the following modals changes form when used in indirect speech?
should
might
must
can
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Match each sentence with the modal that would be used in its direct speech equivalent
Convert each direct quotation into reported speech.
She said, "I will finish the project tomorrow." → She said
the next day.
They said, "We can help you move next weekend." → They said
me move the following weekend.
Mary said, "I may join the meeting later." → Mary said she
later.
John said, "I should call my parents tonight." → John said he
that night.
Tom said, "You must wear a helmet while riding." → Tom said I
while riding.
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