reported speech / can / may / could/ might

[aysaa]

Hi,

We all know that If the event reported is now in the past, we generally backshift all tenses.

​

Jessica: I can go to that party with you tomorrow.
Jessica said that she can go to that party with me tomorrow. (reported on the same day)

Jessica said that she could go to that party with me tomorrow. (reported on the same day)

Can we use 'could' instead of 'can' although using 'tomorrow' ?


Aleyna: I may leave this town before 6:00 pm today.
Aleyna said that she may leave this town before 6:00 today. (reported on the same day before the action)

​

Can we use 'might' instead of 'may' ?

​

Aleyna said that she might leave this town before 6:00 today. (reported on the same day before the action)


​

 

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

Actually, 'might' comes to me a little more naturally than 'may' in this sentence. Also, I'd get rid of the "this" before town.

 

[aysaa]

Jessica said that she could go to that party with me tomorrow. (reported on the same day)​

Aleyna said that she might leave this town before 6:00 today. (reported on the same day before the action)
​

They are OK! But:

Barbara: I have to go to the cinema tomorrow.
Barbara said that she had to go to the cinema tomorrow. (reported on the same day)

Can we use 'tomorrow' with 'had to' ?

 

[Tdol]

Yes