This grammar exercise tests your knowledge of reported speech.
Fill in the blanks.
1The mother asked the boy why ............... crying.
Wrong!
In a reported question, the subject comes before the verb, so the correct order is "he was".
2He told me that I ............... wait for him.
Wrong!
After "told me that" in reported speech, "should" is the natural backshifted form here.
3They told him ...............
Wrong!
An order with "told" is reported with a to-infinitive, so the correct answer is "to wait".
4She said that she ............... to the party.
Wrong!
After past reporting verb "said", present continuous usually backshifts to "was not going".
5He insisted that I ............... accompany him.
Wrong!
After "insisted that", the correct formal reported-speech pattern here is "should".
6I don't know ............... I will pass the test.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
A reported yes/no idea can use "if" or "whether" before the clause.
7The chairman said that they ............... have to postpone the meeting.
Wrong!
In reported speech after "said", "may" usually backshifts to "might".
8I requested him ............... me.
Wrong!
After "requested him", the correct pattern is the to-infinitive "to help".
9Peter asked if I ............... his purse.
Wrong!
Present perfect in direct speech usually backshifts to past perfect, so the correct answer is "had seen".
10She said that she ............... ready for the party.
Wrong!
After past reporting verb "said", present continuous usually backshifts to "was getting".
11She exclaimed that she ............... the money.
Wrong!
Present perfect in direct speech usually backshifts to past perfect, so the correct answer is "had lost".
12He asked if ............... lend him some money.
Wrong!
In a reported question, the subject comes before the modal verb, so the correct order is "I could".
Answers
- The mother asked the boy why he was crying.
- He told me that I should wait for him.
- They told him to wait.
- She said that she was not going to the party.
- He insisted that I should accompany him.
- I don’t know if / whether I will pass the test.
- The chairman said that they might have to postpone the meeting.
- I requested him to help me.
- Peter asked if I had seen his purse.
- She said that she was getting ready for the party.
- She exclaimed that she had lost the money.
- He asked if I could lend him some money.
