LoginModals in Indirect Speech
Why Are Modals Used in Indirect Speech?
Modals can be used in indirect speech to help us quote a conversation or dialogue for other people. However, some of them undergo changes when used in indirect speech.
Using Modal Verbs in Indirect Speech
Like other verbs, modals undergo backshift when they are used in indirect speech. Backshift refers to the process through which a verb shifts back one step to the past; for example, a verb in the present tense changes to past tense. The table below shows how modals undergo backshift in indirect speech:
'Will' in Indirect Speech
'Will' is a modal verb that is used to refer to a future action. As you know, the past tense form of 'will' is 'would,' which is used in indirect speech and remote conditionals. Here is an example to illustrate how this change happens:
Direct Speech: He said: "I will take a bus to your house."
Indirect Speech: He said, he would take a bus to my house.
'Shall' in Indirect Speech
Usually, we use the modal verb 'shall' to refer to the future or to make offers or suggestions. When the direct sentence uses 'shall' to refer to a future event, we change it to 'would' in the indirect speech; but when 'shall' is used to make offers or suggestions, we change it to 'should' 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.
'Can' in Indirect Speech
When we use 'can' in direct speech to talk about abilities and possibilities, it must be changed to '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.
'May' in Indirect Speech
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 its alternative in indirect speech. If we use 'may' to ask for 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: Tom asked, "may I use the bathroom?" → asking for permission
Indirect Speech: Tom asked if he could use the bathroom.
'Must' in Indirect Speech
The modal verb 'must' is used particularly to imply obligation. When we want to show obligation in indirect speech we can use 'had to,' or keep 'must' unchanged. Here are some 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', and 'must'. The table below summarizes the changes of modals in indirect speech:
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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