The document discusses indirect speech and how modal verbs are used when changing direct speech to indirect speech. It provides examples of direct speech using modal verbs like "will", "can", "may", "must", and "have to" and shows how they change or "backshift" to "would", "could", "might", "had to", and "had to" respectively when converting to indirect speech. Some modal verbs like "should", "ought to", "would", "could", and "might" do not backshift when used in indirect speech. Perfect modal verbs also do not backshift in indirect speech.

1. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS

2. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
Look at the following
conversation…

3. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
We have to expand our
businesses in China.

4. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
We have to expand our
businesses in China.
The manager said that we had
to expand our businesses in
China.

5. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
We have to expand our
businesses in China.
The manager said that we had
to expand our businesses in
China.
When we say what other person said, it is called “INDIRECT SPEECH”. Look in this
conversation how the verb “HAVE” changes to past in the INDIRECT SPEECH.
INDIRECT SPEECH

6. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
Look at this other conversation…

7. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
We sold 1’000.000
computers in China

8. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
We sold 1’000.000
computers in China
Action in Past

9. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
We sold 1’000.000
computers in China
The manager said that we had
sold 1’000’000 computers in
China.
Action in Past

10. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
We sold 1’000.000
computers in China
The manager said that we had
sold 1’000’000 computers in
China.
INDIRECT SPEECH
(in Past)
Action in Past

11. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
We sold 1’000.000
computers in China
The manager said that we had
sold 1’000’000 computers in
China.
In this case, notice that the verb “SOLD” changes to its PAST PERFECT form (HAD SOLD)
because the INDIRECT SPEECH is referring to an action in the past. When the verb
changes from one tense to another, it is called “BACKSHIFT”
INDIRECT SPEECH
(in Past)
Action in Past

12. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
Let’s talk about MODAL VERBS in
the INDIRECT SPEECH

13. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
First, let’s remember some
MODAL VERBS and what they
express…

14. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS

15. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS
WILL  To express future.

16. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS
WILL  To express future.
CAN To express ability or possibility.

17. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS
WILL  To express future.
CAN To express ability or possibility.
MAY To express possibility.

18. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS
WILL  To express future.
CAN To express ability or possibility.
MAY To express possibility.
MUST To express obligation or logical conclusion.

19. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS
WILL  To express future.
CAN To express ability or possibility.
MAY To express possibility.
MUST To express obligation or logical conclusion.
HAVE TO To express obligation or need.

20. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS
WILL  To express future.
CAN To express ability or possibility.
MAY To express possibility.
MUST To express obligation or logical conclusion.
HAVE TO To express obligation or need.
This MODAL VERBS also “BACKSHIFT”

21. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS

22. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I forgot to send the
report! I will send it in 5
minutes.

23. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I forgot to send the
report! I will send it in 5
minutes.
Mark forgot to send the report! He
said that he would send it in 5
minutes.

24. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I forgot to send the
report! I will send it in 5
minutes.
Mark forgot to send the report! He
said that he would send it in 5
minutes.
INDIRECT SPEECH

25. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I forgot to send the
report! I will send it in 5
minutes.
Mark forgot to send the report! He
said that he would send it in 5
minutes.
To use the modal verb “WILL” in INDIRECT SPEECH
you have to BACKSHIFT it. The BACKSHIFT of WILL
is WOULD
INDIRECT SPEECH

26. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
Let’s see the MODAL VERBS and
their BACKSHIFT IN INDIRECT
SPEECH…

27. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS
WILL  WOULD
CAN  COULD
MAY  MIGHT
MUST  HAD TO
HAVE TO  HAD TO

28. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS
WILL  WOULD
CAN  COULD
MAY  MIGHT
MUST  HAD TO
HAVE TO  HAD TO
If this MODAL
VERB is used in
the DIRECT
SPEECH…
You have to use this
form (BACKSHIFT)

29. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I forgot to send the
report! I can send it in 5
minutes.
Direct Speech

30. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I forgot to send the
report! I can send it in 5
minutes.
Mark forgot to send the report! He
said that he could send it in 5
minutes.
Direct Speech

31. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I forgot to send the
report! I cansend it in 5
minutes.
Mark forgot to send the report! He
said that he could send it in 5
minutes.
INDIRECT SPEECH
Direct Speech

32. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I forgot to send the
report! I can send it in 5
minutes.
Mark forgot to send the report! He
said that he could send it in 5
minutes.
INDIRECT SPEECH
Direct Speech
If the DIRECT SPEECH uses “CAN” in the INDIRECT
SPEECH “CAN” changes to “COULD.”

33. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
More Examples….

34. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I am arriving a little late. I
may be there soon.
Direct Speech

35. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I am arriving a little late. I
may be there soon.
John called. He said that he might be
here soon.
INDIRECT SPEECH
Direct Speech

36. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I am arriving a little late. I
may be there soon.
John called. He said that he might be
here soon.
INDIRECT SPEECH
Direct Speech
If the DIRECT SPEECH uses “MAY” in the INDIRECT
SPEECH “MAY” changes to “MIGHT.”

37. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
An example with the
modal verb MUST…

38. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I must finish this for
tomorrow.
Direct Speech

39. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I must finish this for
tomorrow.
Direct Speech
“He said that he had to finish this for
tomorrow”
If the DIRECT SPEECH uses “MUST” in the
INDIRECT SPEECH “MUST” changes to “HAD TO.”
INDIRECT SPEECH

40. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
Some modals DON’T
BACKSHIFT!

41. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
MODAL VERBS
WOULD
COULD
MIGHT
SHOULD
OUGHT TO
When these MODAL
VERBS are used in the
DIRECT SPEECH, they
DON’T BACKSHIFT in
the INDIRECT SPEECH.

42. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
Oh, my God!! We are late!! We should
hurry to catch the school bus!!!
Direct Speech

43. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
Oh, my God!! We are late!! We should
hurry to catch the school bus!!!
Direct Speech
“She said that they should hurry to catch
the school bus”
INDIRECT SPEECH

44. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
Remember the PERFECT MODALS?
Well, if they are used in INDIRECT
SPEECH, they never BACKSHIFT

45. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
PERFECT MODALS
He should have arrived earlier
(él debiera haber llegado mas temprano)
Mark could have brought his car
(Mark pudo haber traido su carro)
Xiomara would have won the lottery
(Xiomara habría ganado la loteria)

46. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I’ve been waiting for Marilyn for over
one hour! Where’s she? She must have
forgotten about our date.
Direct Speech with
Perfect Modal
EXAMPLE…

47. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I’ve been waiting for Marilyn for over
one hour! Where’s she? She must have
forgotten about our date.
Direct Speech with
Perfect Modal
“He said that Marilyn must have
forgotten about their date”
INDIRECT SPEECH
EXAMPLE…

48. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
I’ve been waiting for Marilyn for over
one hour! Where’s she? She must have
forgotten about our date.
Direct Speech with
Perfect Modal
“He said that Marilyn must have
forgotten about their date”
INDIRECT SPEECH
The PERFECT MODAL doesn’t
change
EXAMPLE…

49. INDIRECT SPEECH WITH MODALS
Thank you!!!