Mastering English Future Tenses and Reported Speech
Classified in English
Written at on 
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1. Future Tenses
Present Simple
Used for:
- Scientific facts
- Arranged events (important)
- Schedules
- Transportation
Present Continuous
Used for personal arrangements/plans.
Example: I am visiting France this summer.
Be Going To
Used for:
- Personal plans. Example: I am going to start working out.
- Imminent actions. Example: He is so fast, he is going to have an accident.
Will
Used for:
- Predictions. Example: It will rain.
- Promises. Example: I will study more.
- Warnings. Example: You will get into trouble.
- Threats. Example: I will kick your ass.
- Conditional (1st type). Example: If you study just the day before, you won't pass the exam.
- Offerings. Example: I'll give you a lift.
- Instant decisions. Example: I'll call him.
Future Continuous
Used to describe actions in progress at a specific time in the future.
Example: I will be studying tomorrow at...
Future Perfect
Used to describe actions that will be completed by a specific time in the future.
Example: I will have studied by... I will...
2. Reported Speech
2.a. Subject and Verb Changes in Reported Speech
Subject Change
- I -> He/She
- You -> I
- He/She/It -> He/She/It
- We -> They/We
- You -> They/We
- They -> They
Modal Verb Changes
- Can -> Could
- May -> Might
- Should/Ought to -> Should/Ought to
- Have to/Must -> Had to
Time/Place Changes
- This -> That
- The day before/after -> The previous/following day
Tense Changes
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Present Simple (tear) | Past Simple (tore) |
| Present Continuous (am tearing) | Past Continuous (was tearing) |
| Past Simple (tore) | Past Perfect Simple (had torn) |
| Past Continuous (was tearing) | Past Perfect Continuous (had been tearing) |
| Present Perfect Simple (have torn) | Past Perfect Simple (had torn) |
| Present Perfect Continuous (have been tearing) | Past Perfect Continuous (had been tearing) |
| Past Perfect Simple (had torn) | Past Perfect Simple (same) |
| Past Perfect Continuous (had been tearing) | Past Perfect Continuous (same) |
| Will (will tear) | Would (would tear) |
| Am going to (am going to tear) | Was going to (was going to tear) |
2.b. Specifying Reported Verbs
1. Verb + That + Sentence
Examples: announced, confessed, complained, insisted, stated, affirmed, mentioned, realised, suggested, protested, demanded, admitted, agreed, explained, reminded, promised, accepted, assured, exclaimed, pointed out, wondered if. [advised, persuaded, reminded, warned + object]
2. Verb + To + Infinitive
Examples: agreed, decided, offered, hoped, wished, promised, threatened, preferred, refused, accepted, demanded
3. Verb + Object + To + Infinitive
Examples: advised, forbade, asked, offered, encouraged, persuaded, reminded, warned, begged, invited, urged/forced, ordered, introduced, threatened, commanded
4.1. Verb + Object + Preposition + -ing
Examples: accused of, discouraged from, praised for, congratulated on, apologised for, warned about, agree with someone on, complained of, insisted on, blame for
4.2. Verb + -ing
Examples: admitted having..., suggested, denied, regretted, recommended, proposed
4.3. Verb + -ing / That + Sentence
Examples: suggested/recommended that they go/going