Reported Speech in English: REPORTED QUESTIONS, lots of examples [backshifting]

Summary

In this educational video, viewers are introduced to the concept of reported speech, focusing on the nuances of backshifting verb tenses from present to past. The host provides a cheat sheet for tense conversion, available for download, and explains the use of 'asked' in reporting questions. Key points include changing pronouns, backshifting tenses, and adjusting adverbs to reflect the shift from direct to reported speech. Examples are given for various tenses, and the importance of using 'if' or 'whether' for yes/no questions is highlighted. The video encourages learning through practical examples and offers additional resources for further study.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video focuses on teaching reported speech, specifically how to report questions in English.
• 🔄 'Backshifting' is a crucial concept in reported speech, which involves changing verb tenses from present to past.
• 📈 The video provides a cheat sheet for backshifting, available as a downloadable PDF, with examples for different tenses.
• 🔗 The cheat sheet is accessible for free on the website 'englishwithm.com' and is linked in the video description.
• 🗣️ The verb 'asked' is commonly used to report questions, with variations in pronunciation depending on regional accents.
• 🛠️ Pronouns and auxiliary verbs change in reported speech; for example, 'you' becomes 'I' and 'is' becomes 'was'.
• ❓ The structure of reported questions is different from direct speech; the question mark is omitted as it's no longer a question.
• 🕒 Adverbs also change in reported speech to reflect the shift in time and place, such as 'now' becoming 'then'.
• 🔍 The video offers a detailed backshifting table and additional resources for mastering the past perfect tense.
• 🎓 The presenter suggests watching a specific video on the past perfect tense for further clarification.

Q & A

What is the main concept discussed in the video?

The main concept discussed in the video is 'backshifting' in reported speech, which involves changing the tense of a verb from present to past when reporting what someone has said.

What is the purpose of the cheat sheet provided by the speaker?

The cheat sheet is designed to assist learners in understanding how to report different tenses in English, with examples for both statements and questions. It is available for free download to aid in mastering reported speech.

How does the speaker suggest changing the structure of a question when reporting it?

The speaker suggests changing the structure of a question by reversing the subject and auxiliary verb, removing the question mark, and reporting it using the structure of a normal phrase rather than a question.

What is the difference between 'asked' and 'asked' in British English as mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker notes that there is a regional difference in British English pronunciation between 'asked' and 'asked', with people from the south of England saying 'asked' and those from the north saying 'asked'.

Why is it important to understand the past perfect tense when learning reported speech?

Understanding the past perfect tense is crucial because it is used to report various tenses such as present perfect, past simple, past continuous, and future tenses in reported speech.

How does the speaker advise changing pronouns in reported speech?

The speaker advises changing pronouns from second person (you) to first person (I) or from third person (he, she, they) to the corresponding first or second person, depending on the context.

What is the role of adverbs in reported speech according to the video?

Adverbs play a significant role in reported speech as they indicate time and place. They often need to be changed to reflect the shift in time and location from when the original statement was made to when it is being reported.

How should 'tomorrow' be reported in the context of reported speech?

In reported speech, 'tomorrow' should be changed to 'the next day' or 'the following day' to reflect the change in the time reference.

What is the difference between reporting a yes or no question and an open question?

While both yes or no questions and open questions follow the same rules of backshifting and pronoun change, yes or no questions are reported using 'if' or 'whether' to introduce the reported question.

What does the speaker suggest doing with the auxiliary verb 'do' in positive 'do' questions when reporting them?

In positive 'do' questions, the speaker suggests removing the auxiliary verb 'do' when reporting the question, as it is not needed in the past simple tense used in reported speech.