1. The tense of the words spoken does not change:

1) if the reported words are always true.

The teacher explained that the earth goes round the sun.

He said he can’t speak French.

2) if the words spoken are still true.

He said a statement will be made in next week’s newspaper (The newspaper hasn’t been printed yet).

3) if a message is being repeated immediately.

Mary said she’s too busy to come (Immediate reporting).

4) in Conditional sentences:

“I wish it was summer now.”

She (said she) wished it was summer.

“You might be more polite with your children”.

He remarked she might be more polite with her children.

5) if the Past Indefinite in direct speech denotes an action taking place at a definite moment, it remains unchanged in indirect speech.

He said, “I had left home before you came”.

He said he had left home before I came.

6) The Past Indefinite after since remains unchanged.

She said, “I have been writing since I came.”

She said she had been writing since she came.

2. Indirect speech with modal auxiliaries:

1)modals change where there is a “past” equivalent

will – would/ can –could / may – might

could, would and might do not change

She said (that) she might be late.

2) Must remains unchanged if it expresses advice or is replaced by had to to express necessity.

You must be more careful. She told him he must be more careful (advice).

I must get up early every morning. She said she had to get up early every morning

(necessity).

The Sequence of Tenses

Practice

Ex.1. Use the proper tense form applying the sequence of tenses rule.

1. I asked the clerk at the enquiry-office if I (have) to change when I (go) by train to Moscow and if the train (arrive) on time as my father (wait) for me at the station.

2. We knew that our boss (catch) a cold when he (go) on business, and he (be ill) for two weeks already and nobody (know) when he (recover).

3. She told me last night that she (be going) for a swim in the morning if she (wake) early.

4. He hoped that he (have) a good rest if he (go) on holiday alone.

5.I knew that she (be worried) by the letter she (receive) some days ago, and was glad to know that things (take) a turn for the better.

6. At last we knew him well enough to ask about what (happen) to him when he (refuse) to join our company.

7. We hoped that we (arrive) at the station just on time and were very disappointed when we (find) out that our train (leave) already.

8. She said nothing to me except that she (turn) down the job she ( look) for so long. She couldn't give any explanation until she (understand) herself what (happen).

9. An old friend of mine rang me up and asked if I (have) a good time in Italy and if I (go) to the concert with him in two days as he already (buy) the tickets.

10. Nobody understood why she (invent) that story and (not tell) the truth about him.

11. I didn't think I ever (see) him before, and hoped I never (see) him in future.

12. He was sure that nobody (disturb) him when he (work) at his report in the library.

Ex.2. Complete the sentences applying the rule of sequence of tenses.

1. The doctor said that if I (take) a warm bath just before I (go) to bed, I (feel) much better soon. I (be) ill for two days already.

2. The teacher warned the boy that he (fail) his English exam if he (not work) hard. It's the second time she (tell) him about it, but it (seem) to me he (not believe) her.

3. My mother said to me that by the end of the month the Post office (send) us a bill which we (not be able) to pay because I (talk) on the phone for hours every day.

4. My parents asked me when my guests (come) the next day and if I (be going) to cook the Sunday dinner. I answered that we (decide) to go to the restaurant.

5. The teacher said that we (must) be careful because even if we (make) any mistakes, she (not give) us any additional time to correct them.

6. I was grateful to my friend that he (repair) my TV-set. It ( work) perfectly for years already.

7. Ann was only twenty-five, but she (teach) English at the university for four years already.

8. I asked my sister if she (go) to the concert the next day and if she (return) home by the time I ( arrive). She said that she (work) at home the whole evening and (not go) anywhere.

9. I (take) a quick look at the picture and (be) certain that I (see) the man before. I was sure I (recognize) him when I (meet) him again.

10. My father declared that he (want) to go on holiday to the lake district and he (buy) already a new rod for fishing. He said he (leave) in two days and (spend) there not less than two weeks. It's the first time that he (decide) to go alone.

11. We learnt yesterday that our library (receive) a lot of new books by the end of the year. As soon as the librarian (register) all the books, we (be able) to borrow them. I hope she (do) it soon.

12. I (translate) the article for ten minutes when the manager (phone) me and asked how long I (translate) it and if I (finish) the translation before he (leave) home. I answered that I (try) to do it as soon as possible, though it (be) time for me to go home.

The Passive Voice (be + P.II)

1.Tenses: Present Simple –am/is/are built; Past Simple – was/were built; Future Simple – will be built; Present Continuous – am/is/are being built; Past Continuous – was/were being built; Future Continuous – - ; Present Perfect – has/have been built; Past Perfect - had been built; Future Perfect – will have been built

2. He gave him a book: a) A book was given to him. b) He was given a book.

3. “Sell, cut, wash, spread, iron, lock, read” are used in the active voice through the passive meaning: The book sells well.

4. He looks after the children well. – The children are well looked after.

5. People believe (that) he is a liar. – a) He is believed to be a liar. b) It is believed that he is a liar.

Believe, expect, feel, hope, know, report, say, think

6. Structure “have something done / get something done”

tenses: I have the house painted regularly. How often do you have your house painted?

I had the house painted yesterday. When did you have your house painted?

I will have the house painted tomorrow. When will you have your house painted?

I am having the house painted now. Are you having your house painted? I was having the house painted when you came. Were you having your house painted?

I will be having the house painted when you come.

I have had / had had the house painted.

I will have had the house painted when you come.

Prepositional verbs in the Passive Voice	Prepositional verbs in the Passive Voice	Phrasal verbs in the Passive Voice	Phraseological Units in the Passive Voice
account for arrive at ask for approve of break into bring up call for comment on deal with depend on hear from hear of insist on (upon) interfere with laugh at listen to look at look after	look for look into mock at object to pick on provide for read to smb refer to rely on send for shout at to think highly (well, little, poorly) of someone or somebody wait for write to	blow down call up give up hold up knock down let down point out pull down put off run over see off	do away with find fault with lose sight of to make use of make fun of pay attention to put an end to put up with set fire to take (good) care of take notice of