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1. Grammar

1.2. Time and place expressions

When we change direct speech into reported speech, we must change words or expressions which relate to where the speaker is and when he or she is speaking.  We also have to change pronouns and possessive adjectives.

DIRECT SPEECH  REPORTED SPEECH
Time expressions
now then, at that time
today that day
tonight that night
this (morning/week/month/year) that (morning/week/month/year)
yesterday the day before
last (week/month/year) the (week/month/year) before
(two days /a year) ago (two days/ a year) earlier
tomorrow the next/ following day
next (week/month/year) the next/ the following (week/month/year)
Place expressions
this that
these those
here there

Examples: "I'm watching you" --- He said that he was watching me. (pronouns and possessives adjectives)

                  "We've brought you a present" --- She said that they had brought me a present. (pronouns and possessives adjectives)

                  "We'll stay here tonight" --- He said that they would stay there that night. (expressions of time and places)

                  " I'll take these jeans". --- He said he'd take those jeans. (demonstrative adjectives)

    

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