English for R&Dcourse

English for R&Dcourse

Grammar

1
Theory · read before you start
Reported Speech: Modals & Commands
This chapter quotes several people directly — Tabart, Schaefer, Thompson. When we report what someone said, modal verbs often have to change too.
RULE
will → would, can → could, may → might — these always shift back one step.
must (obligation) usually becomes had to; must (deduction/certainty) can stay must.
going to → was/were going to.
Modals that are already past-like — would, could, should, might — don't change at all.
Commands/instructions are reported with tell/ask + object + to + infinitive, not with 'that'.
TIP
Read the direct quote first, decide which modal it uses, then decide if that modal needs to shift back.
EXAMPLES
  • Direct: 'We need a visionary law,' Tabart said.→ Reported: Tabart said (that) they needed a visionary law.
  • Direct: 'You're going to have to make concessions,' she said.→ Reported: She said (that) they were going to have to make concessions.
  • Direct: 'I wouldn't say they're easy to spot,' Thompson said.→ Reported: Thompson said (that) she wouldn't say they were easy to spot.
  • Direct: 'Look up at the canopy,' she said to the group.→ Reported: She told the group to look up at the canopy.
2
Quiz · choose one option per question
Choose the correct reported form.
1.'We need a visionary law,' Tabart said.→ Tabart said they a visionary law.
2.'I can help,' Schaefer said.→ Schaefer said he help.
3.'This will work,' Tabart said.→ Tabart said it work.
4.'You must make concessions,' she said.→ She said we make concessions.
5.'They might come,' he said.→ He said they come.
6.'We're going to protect the forest,' she said.→ She said they protect the forest.
7.'I wouldn't say it's easy,' Thompson said.→ Thompson said she it was easy.
8.'You should protect this habitat,' the expert said.→ The expert said we protect the habitat.
3
Gap fill · type your answer in each gap
Complete each reported sentence with the correct modal form.
1.'We need a visionary law,' Tabart said.→ Tabart said they a visionary law.
2.'This could prove to be the solution,' she said.→ She said it prove to be the solution.
3.'You're going to have to make concessions,' she said.→ She said we have to make concessions.
4.'I wouldn't say they're easy to spot,' Thompson said.→ Thompson said she say they were easy to spot.
5.'They might come to the forest,' he said.→ He said they come to the forest.
6.'We must protect this habitat,' the expert said.→ The expert said we protect the habitat.
7.'I can help with this project,' Schaefer said.→ Schaefer said he help with the project.
8.'You should look for a search image,' she said.→ She said we look for a search image.
4
Correct the mistakes · type the correct word in the box
The highlighted word contains a mistake. Write the correct form.
1.
She said they need a visionary law.
↳
2.
Tabart said it will prove to be the solution.
↳
3.
She said we are going to have to make concessions.
↳
4.
Schaefer said he can help with the project.
↳
5.
Thompson said she won't say they were easy to spot.
↳
6.
She said we shall look for a search image.
↳
5
Sentence transform · type your rewritten sentence
Rewrite each direct quote as reported speech.
1.'We need a comprehensive habitat protection program,' Tabart said.
2.'This will help protect the koalas,' the scientist said.
3.'I can share our experience,' Schaefer said.
4.'You must make some concessions,' she said to the landowners.