Study the information. Choose the correct options to complete the sentences
We usually change some of the modal verbs in reported speech:
Direct speech |
Reported speech |
will |
would e.g. She said shewouldcome later. |
can |
Could (present) / would be able to (future) e.g. She said shecouldswim quite well. e.g. She said shewould be able toenter any university with her scores. |
must/have to |
had to (obligation) must (speculation, possibility or deduction) e.g. She said shehad towear a uniform when she was at school. e.g. Mum said dadmustbe at work. |
may |
might (possibility) could (permission) e.g. Susie said shemightgo to France the following summer. e.g. The teacher said Icouldcome into the classroom. |
shall |
should (in reported questions) would e.g. I asked my mum if Ishouldopen the window. e.g. Billy said hewouldread more. |
Would, could, mustn't, should, might, used to, ought to and need remain the same.
As soon as Allie saw that blouse, she said, "I must have it."
As soon as Allie saw that blouse, she said she [had to|must|should] have it.
"I think I should call Stephany to say sorry," she said.
She said she [had to|must|should] call Stephany to say sorry.
"The postman must be ill," my dad said.
My dad said that the postman [had to|should|must] be ill.
"You don't have to write in pen," the teacher said.
Our teacher said that we [mustn't|shouldn't|didn't have to] write in pen.
"You are late, Minnie, but still you can come in," the teacher said.
The teacher said that I [might|could|may] come in even if I was late".
"I may not be able to meet you at the bus station," Carry said.
Carry said she [may|might|could] not be able to meet me at the bus station.
Alison said, "You should exercise more."
Alison said that we [should|would|shall] exercise more.
"My mother will be furious if she sees my essay," I said.
I said that my mother [would|could|have to] be furious if she saw my essay.
"Here is my number. You may call me in the evening," he said.
He gave me his number and said that I [could|may|can] call him in the evening.
"Shall I take these books back to the library?" I asked Mary.
I asked Mary if I [shall|should|would] take those books back to the library.