We use said when we are simply reporting someone’s words.

We use said when it is clear or not

important who the person was speaking to:
I saw Helen yesterday. She said that wasn’t going out with Liam any more. (= we know that she
said this to ‘me’).

ACTUAL WORDS REPORTED

SPEECH
present simple past simple
‘I need a drink.’ He said (that) he needed a drink.
Present continuous past continuous
‘‘I’m feeling ill’’ She said that (that) she was
feeling ill.
past simple /present perfect past perfect (had + past participle)
‘I enjoyed the party.’ He said (that) he had enjoyed the
party.

will would
‘I’ll phone later.’ She said (that) she would phone later.
can could
‘I can’t come.’ She said (that) she couldn’t come.

1. "Don't play with matches," his mother said.

1. His mother told him not to play with matches.
2. "I've forgotten to bring my lunch with me," he said.
2. He said that he'd forgotten to bring his lunch with him.
3. "Will you be home soon?" she asked her husband.
3. She asked her husband if he would be home soon.
4. "Go to bed!" father said to the children.
4. Father told the children to go to bed.
Will
Will is used to show desire, preference, choice or consent:
I will accept your offer. Will you please be quiet?
To show the future:
It will be a great party. I will probably go out tonight.
To express capability:
The ship will take three hundred guests. This bottle will hold two liters of wine.
To express determination or insistence:
I will pass my driving test. I will do as you say.
Should (advice)
. ‘Should’ and ‘ought to’ are less strong and used to give advice or propose a possible course of action.
Examples: You should go and speak to your boss.
We should drive careful the car.
Should (suggestions)
Should is often used to give an opinion, to make a suggestion, express a preference or an idea.
I should walk to work.
You should stay at home if you are feeling tired.
He should be more open to ideas.
Should – to ask for an opinion.
Should we tell him about our idea?
What should we do now?
Present
First is the present tense, which indicates actions or conditions occurring now. Present tense is often
used to state general information as well as thoughts and opinions.
Ex. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ex. They are angry about the decision.
Past
Next is the past tense, which indicates actions or conditions that have occurred already and do not
extend into the present.
Ex. Madalena felt better after her test.
Ex. Nelson invaded Poland on September 1, 1939.
Future
The last one of the simple tenses is the future that indicates actions that have yet to begin. To form the
future tense, you will use will or shall plus the base or the present principal part of the verb.
Ex. I will graduate the year after next.
Ex. The exhibition will come to Houston in October.
Exercise
Identify the tense of the underlined verb in each sentence.
1. She will attend a conference in Washington. 6. A squirrel drops its nuts when it gets frightened.
2. Barbara and Mary refused to sign the petition. 7. A good story will have action and drama.
3. The dancers rehearse every day. 8. We spotted a bird with red wings and tail.
4. Storytelling existed before written history. 9. The animals’ unpleasant shrieks warn other
5. Blue jays have many unusual habits. animals of danger.
10. We will practice our math skills this year.
Never give up
EDUCATION IS KIES OF THE DEVELOPMENT