Вопрос школьника
Study the examples and answer the questions.
1 Which verb do we use to report questions?
2 Which words do we use to start the reported question if the direct question begins with:
a a question word?
b an auxiliary or modal verb?
3 How do the tenses change?
Ответ от учителя
1. The verb «ask» is commonly used to report questions. Other verbs that can be used include «inquire,» «wonder,» and «want to know.»
2. a) If the direct question begins with a question word (such as «who,» «what,» «where,» «when,» «why,» or «how»), we use the word «if» or «whether» to introduce the reported question. For example:
Direct question: «What time is it?»
Reported question: She asked me if/whether it was time.
b) If the direct question begins with an auxiliary or modal verb (such as «can,» «will,» «should,» «must,» «may,» or «would»), we use the word «if» or «whether» to introduce the reported question, and the main verb is changed to its infinitive form. For example:
Direct question: «Can you help me?»
Reported question: She asked me if/whether I could help her.
3. The tenses in reported speech generally shift back one tense from the original direct speech. For example:
Direct speech: «I am going to the store.»
Reported speech: She said she was going to the store.
If the original direct speech is in the present tense, it is usually changed to the past tense in reported speech. If the original direct speech is in the past tense, it is usually changed to the past perfect tense in reported speech. However, if the reported speech is still true or relevant in the present, the present tense can be used in reported speech. Additionally, if the original direct speech is in the present perfect tense, it is usually changed to the past perfect tense in reported speech.
