Introduction au Reported Speech en anglais
Reported speech is used to repeat someone's words indirectly. The golden rule is the 'backshift': verbs move one step into the past. For example, Present Simple becomes Past Simple (). We must also adjust pronouns so the sentence makes sense. Remember that 'tell' needs an object, like 'he told me'. Reporting verbs introduce the sentence, usually followed by 'that'. Keep the perspective clear to avoid confusion. It is like acting as a messenger who summarizes a past event.
Le résumé
Comprendre le cours
Reported speech is used to repeat someone's words indirectly. The golden rule is the 'backshift': verbs move one step into the past. For example, Present Simple becomes Past Simple (). We must also adjust pronouns so the sentence makes sense. Remember that 'tell' needs an object, like 'he told me'. Reporting verbs introduce the sentence, usually followed by 'that'. Keep the perspective clear to avoid confusion. It is like acting as a messenger who summarizes a past event.
Avant de commencer
Prérequis
Mastery of Present Simple and Past Simple tenses
Understanding of personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, we, they)
Le plan
Structure du cours
- 1
Definition and Function
Direct SpeechReported SpeechDirect speech uses quotation marks: "I am happy".
Reported speech conveys the message without repeating exact words.
- 2
The Golden Rules of Transformation
Reporting VerbsBackshift of TensesPronoun ChangesUse 'say' or 'tell'.
Move tenses one step into the past.
Update pronouns to reflect the speaker.
À retenir
Notions clés
Reporting Verb
À mémoriserThe verb used to introduce the speech, such as 'say' or 'tell'.
He said that he was busy.
Backshift
À mémoriserMoving the verb tense one step back into the past when reporting.
Present Simple () becomes Past Simple ().
Pronoun adjustment
À mémoriserAdapting personal pronouns to fit the reporter's perspective.
If John says 'I am', we report 'He said he was'.
En pratique
Exemple résolu
Sarah says: 'I like apples'. We need to report this later.
- 1
Step 1: Identify the speaker and the verb: Sarah said that...
- 2
Step 2: Change the pronoun 'I' to 'she'.
- 3
Step 3: Apply the backshift: 'like' () becomes 'liked' ().
- 4
Result: Sarah said that she liked apples.
Mémoriser plus vite
Astuces & analogies
Backshift
Think of it as a 'Time Machine': You are stepping back in time, so every verb moves one level deeper into the past.
Reporting Verb
Think of the reporter as a 'messenger' who repeats a secret, so they have to adjust the perspective for the new listener.
Ne plus se tromper
Erreurs fréquentes
Forgetting to change pronouns.
If the original speaker says 'I', you must change it to 'he' or 'she' unless the speaker is still you.
Forgetting to shift the tense.
The action happened in the past relative to when you are reporting it, so the tense must move back ().
Se tester
Flashcards
Cliquez sur une carte pour révéler la réponse.
Continuer à réviser
Méthodologie du Grand Oral en LLCER anglais
Le Grand Oral en LLCER exige de transformer un sujet du programme en problématique analytique. Le candidat doit structurer son propos avec soin en uti...
Traduction avancée : procédés de Vinay & Darbelnet
La traduction en LLCER exige de dépasser la traduction littérale pour privilégier l'équivalence de sens. Le traducteur utilise des procédés comme la t...
Mythes et enjeux de la civilisation américaine
The US is built on the myth of the American Dream and Exceptionalism. The political system uses Checks and Balances to prevent tyranny, defined by the...