reported speech

[blacknomi]

In Azar's blue book

Immediate reporting:
What did ths the teacher just said? I didn't hear him.
He said he wants us to read Chapter Six.

I wonder that if in formal English, should one stick to simple past?

[Casiopea]

Immediate reporting:
What did ths the teacher just said? I didn't hear him.
He said he wants us to read Chapter Six.

I wonder that if in formal English, should one stick to simple past?

Sam: What did the teacher just say?
Max: She said she wants us to read Chapter six. Fact

[blacknomi]

Max: She said she wants us to read Chapter six.

Is it alright for Max to say "She said she wanted us to read Chapter six."

[MikeNewYork]

Is it alright for Max to say "She said she wanted us to read Chapter six."

Yes, that would be all right (two words).

The verb in reported speech is not fixed in stone. In early reported speech (soon after the quote or when the other person is still talking (on the telephone, for example), many will use the present tense. In late reported speech (days later), the past tense is far more common. With intermediate reported speech, there is a good deal of variation, depending on the speaker. Because the reported speech has already taken place when it is reported, it is difficult to rule out the past tense in any circumstance. However, when there has a been a time gap, the present tense becomes less acceptable as the time gap widens.

[blacknomi]

Sam: What did the teacher just say?
Max: She said she wants us to read Chapter six. Fact

Do you interprete that way? Would you think it is more of a fact rather than an immediate reporting as Azar said?

[Casiopea]

Do you interprete that way? Would you think it is more of a fact rather than an immediate reporting as Azar said?

It could be interpreted as either one. When in doubt, check if it's a fact.

[MikeNewYork]

Do you interprete that way? Would you think it is more of a fact rather than an immediate reporting as Azar said?

I think it is both. If the report is accurate, it is factual, but it is a report either way.

[blacknomi]

Yes, that would be all right (two words).

The verb in reported speech is not fixed in stone. In early reported speech (soon after the quote or when the other person is still talking (on the telephone, for example), many will use the present tense. In late reported speech (days later), the past tense is far more common. With intermediate reported speech, there is a good deal of variation, depending on the speaker. Because the reported speech has already taken place when it is reported, it is difficult to rule out the past tense in any circumstance. However, when there has a been a time gap, the present tense becomes less acceptable as the time gap widens.

I understand, thanks Mike.

Why reported speech? Not reporting?

[MikeNewYork]

I understand, thanks Mike.

Why reported speech? Not reporting?

Because the speech is reported by another speaker.

[blacknomi]

Because the speech is reported by another speaker.

Silly....so the speaker said "reporting sentences" in his speech.