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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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Look at these examples to see how questions are made.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

To make questions, we often put the verb before the subject. This is called inversion.

If there is a question word ( why, what, where, how, etc.), it goes before the verb.

This is true for sentences with be, sentences that have auxiliary verbs (e.g. They are waiting. She has finished.) and sentences with modal verbs ( can, will, should, might, etc.).

Questions in the present simple and past simple

For other verbs in the present simple, we use the auxiliary verb do/ does in the question.

We use the auxiliary verb did in the past simple.

Subject questions

In some questions, who or what is the subject of the verb. There is no inversion of subject and verb in these questions.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Language level

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Do you know how to make questions? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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Watch the video, read the explanations and do the exercises.

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We add question tags to the end of statements to turn them into questions. They are used in spoken language, especially when we want to check something is true, or invite people to agree with us.
So how do we form question tags?

We add a clause in the form of a question at the end of a sentence. If the main part of the sentence is positive we usually add a negative question tag.
It's a bit early, isn't it?
If the main part is negative, we usually add a positive question tag.
Mum isn't in trouble, is she?
OK, that seems easy.

Yes, but you need to think about what verb to use in the tag. If there is an auxiliary, a modal verb or the verb to be in the main clause, we use that in the question tag.
You're in a desert in the middle of Australia, aren't you?
If there is another main verb, we use do in the correct form (as we would with questions and negatives).
I think she might be getting a bit old for this sort of travelling, don't you?
We told you not to drive in the outback on your own,didn't we?
OK, so the question tag refers to the subject of the main sentence.

Yes, very often, but sometimes it doesn't.
I can't imagine her doing anything else, can you?
Are there any exceptions?

There are a few. We use 'aren't I' instead of the more logical 'amn't I'.
I'm next in the queue, aren't I?
Where is the stress in question tags?

It's on the verb and the intonation is usually falling, unless the speaker isn't sure about some kind of factual information, then it's rising.

You're from Beijing, aren't you? (falling intonation = you're fairly sure)
You're from Beijing, aren't you? (rising intonation = you're not very sure and want the other person to confirm the information)

You use them a lot in conversation, don't you?

Yes, we do. We use them a lot to try and involve other people in conversations.

So I'd better start using them more, hadn't I?

Yep!

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Sophie is in the Australian outback and not everything goes to plan.

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More practice…

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Look at these examples to see how the past continuous and past simple are used.

When I woke up this morning, it was snowing.
I was sleeping when you called me.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Past continuous and past simple: Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

The past continuous and the past simple help us to show how two past actions or situations are connected.

Past simple

The past simple shows us that an action was in the past, not in the present. Regular past simple verbs have - ed at the end (e.g. called, played, arrived). Irregular verbs have a different form, usually with a different vowel sound (e.g. wake → woke, break → broke, feel → felt).

My parents called me yesterday.
I woke up early this morning.
Sam played basketball when he was at university.

We make the negative with didn't and the infinitive verb.

My parents didn't call me yesterday.
I didn't wake up early this morning.

We make the question form with did and then the subject and infinitive verb.

Did you wake up early this morning?
Did Sam play basketball when he was at university?

Past continuous

The past continuous shows us that the action was already in progress at a certain time in the past.

What were you doing at 8 p.m. last night? I was studying.

This means that I started studying before 8 p.m. and I continued after 8 p.m.

The past continuous can also show that an activity was in progress for some time, not just for a moment.

We were cleaning the house all morning.

We make the past continuous with was or were and the - ing form of the verb.

She couldn't come to the party. She was working.
Three years ago, we were living in my home town.
I tried to give him some advice, but he wasn't listening.
What were you doing this time last year?

Past continuous and past simple

When we use these two tenses together, it shows us that the past simple action happened in the middle of the past continuous action, while it was in progress.

While I was studying, I suddenly felt sleepy.

We often use these tenses to show an action interrupting another action.

I broke my leg when I was skiing.
As I was going to work, I saw an old friend.
We were watching television when the power went off.

Can you see a difference in the meaning of these two sentences?

When the guests arrived, Jane was cooking dinner.
When the guests arrived, Jane cooked dinner.

In the first one, Jane started cooking dinner before the guests arrived. We know that because it uses the past continuous. In the second sentence, the guests arrived first and then Jane started cooking.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

Past continuous and past simple: Grammar test 2

Language level

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Do you know how to use the past continuous and past simple? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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Do you know how to use capital letters and apostrophes correctly? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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So how do I know which verbs are regular and which are irregular?

You have to learn them!

Learn them from the list? Oh no!

It's not so bad. There aren't really so many verbs to learn and remember that English is much easier than many languages. The past forms don't change.

I took a taxi to the airport. (take → took)
That was when we spoke. (speak → spoke)
One person gave me his last bar of chocolate. (give → gave)

I see what you mean. I made, you made, he made, she made, it made, we made, they made!

Exactly! They're all the same. And the negatives are all formed with did + not + the infinitive without to. The question forms are very similar: did + subject pronoun + the infinitive without to.
What did you do all day in the airport?
Did you have enough food?
We didn't think you would get home in time for your birthday.
OK, you're right, that's not too bad. Are there any exceptions?

Yes the verb to be. The past form is was for I, he, she and it, but were for you, we and they.

So what about this verb list?

Right, here it is!

Wow! OK, so how do I learn these verbs?

There are lots of things you can try:

Make cards to test yourself - put the infinitive on one side and the past on the other.

Write sentences with different verbs in them. Include some negatives.

Make up stories and record yourself. The story could just be about what you did last weekend.

Do practice activities online. You can start by doing the ones below on this page!

OK, I'm going to start learning them now!

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Sophie has just arrived home after a work trip to the United States which turned into a nightmare.

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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T123 - Past Tense of Irregular Verbs - English Grammar Exercises

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T064- Tom's double

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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t064- tom's double - past tense - english grammar exercise

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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T064- Tom’s double - Past tense - English Grammar Exercise

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T064- Tom’s double - Past tense - English Grammar Exercise

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Look at these examples to see how questions are made.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

To make questions, we often put the verb before the subject. This is called inversion.

If there is a question word ( why, what, where, how, etc.), it goes before the verb.

This is true for sentences with be, sentences that have auxiliary verbs (e.g. They are waiting. She has finished.) and sentences with modal verbs ( can, will, should, might, etc.).

Questions in the present simple and past simple

For other verbs in the present simple, we use the auxiliary verb do/ does in the question.

We use the auxiliary verb did in the past simple.

Subject questions

In some questions, who or what is the subject of the verb. There is no inversion of subject and verb in these questions.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Language level

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Do you know how to make questions? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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Adverbs of frequency (always, sometimes, etc.)

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Adverbs of frequency (always, sometimes, etc.)

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We use adverbs of frequency - like sometimes or usually - to say how often we do things, or how often things happen.
I never have any problems with adverbs of frequency.

OK, let's see what you know. We use adverbs of frequency in this order, according to their meaning.

Are there any missing?

I think that's most of them. You could include frequently, with usually. We use not very often too.

Very good, you're right. These are the most common adverbs, although there are more.
They always hang out together.
The Northern Lights areusually green.
Younormally see them best in September or March.
It'soften cloudy.
What do you notice about the position of the adverbs?

They are usually before the main verb, or between the auxiliary and the main verb. But they come after the verb to be.

Excellent! Can they also be at the beginning or the end of the sentence?

Yes, I think so. ' Sometimes I'm alone.' That sounds OK.

Yes, we can use some adverbs of frequency at the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis.
Occasionally I meet her for a coffee.
We can use usually, often, sometimes and occasionally at the beginning of a sentence, and sometimes and often at the end. We use adverb expressions like a lot or not + (very) much after the main verb too.

Be careful with never. It is already negative, so we can't use it with not.
I never go to the supermarket with my mother.
I've just remembered some more expressions! What about once a week, twice a year, etc.?

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about those.
Take the medicine three times a day.
Weusually go swimming twice a month.
You see themonce in a lifetime, if you travel.
You see, I'm not always annoying.

OK, sorry. I'm not always right either. Usually, but not always!

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Oliver and Alfie are at home when Daisy and Amy arrive. Sophie is in Hammerfest in northern Norway.

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Always important to revise...have fun!

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Important for your written task. Have fun!

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We use words called conjunctions, like and, or, but, because and although, to join two parts of sentences. Conjunctions can be used to give more information, give alternatives, give reasons, give results or give unexpected information.
We use and, or and but to connect two parts of sentences which are similar in grammatical status.

Do you want chocolate, strawberry or vanilla? (joining words)
Amy's dad is taking us on Saturday morning, and he's offered to bring us home again on Sunday. (joining clauses)

We use and for adding information, or for giving alternatives and but for unexpected or different information.
I'm OK for food, dance and music, and I'm having a wonderful time.
There's a reggae band from Jamaicaor a Russian electro-pop group on the other stage.
She'd like to gobut she can't.
Can we use these words at the beginning of a sentence?

We don't usually use conjunctions to start sentences when we're writing, but people do when they're speaking.

Or when they're chatting on the internet?

Yes. There are a lot more conjunctions which we use to connect one clause with another clause. For example: because, for giving reasons, so, for talking about results or purposes, and although, for unexpected or different information.

I'd like to see that Irish band, because Celtic music is pretty cool.
(the second clause explains the reason Alfie wants to see the Irish band)

Although he doesn't like camping, he goes to lots of music festivals.
(the speaker thinks it's unusual to go to music festivals if you don't like camping)

... we'll be there by 12. Although we have to put up our tents too.
(the information in the second sentence is different to, and contrasts, the information in the first sentence)

It's one of those cars for seven people, so there's plenty of room.
(the second clause shows the result of the first clause)

We need to arrive early so (that) we can get a good place.
(the second clause shows the purpose of the first clause; that is optional)

With that although sentence, can you put the clauses in a different order?

Yes, both orders are possible.
He goes to lots of music festivals, although he doesn't like camping.
Can you also say " even though he doesn't like camping"?

Yes, that means the same thing. There are a lot more conjunctions, but that's enough for today.

No "buts". It's better to look at a small amount at a time ...

So that I can remember it?

Exactly.

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Conjunctions: and, or, but, so, because and although

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Daisy, Amy, Oliver and Alfie are planning a weekend at a music festival when Sophie calls from Austria with a great idea.

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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T127-Present Tense Simple and Continuous

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Simple Past - Past progressive Intermediate

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Simple Past - Past progressive Intermediate

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T124 - Past Tense

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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T124- Past Tense - Simple and Progressive - English Grammar exercises

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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T125 - Present Perfect Tense - Simple Form

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T125 - Present Perfect Simple -English Grammar exercises

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Present Perfect  and progressive - Intermediate

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Present Perfect  and progressive - Intermediate

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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T077 - Present Perfect Simple and Continous

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T077-Present Perfect Simple and Continuous Tense - English Grammar Exercises

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Simple Past or Perfect Perfect - Elementary

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Simple Past or Perfect Perfect - Elementary

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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T129 - Mira and I - Past Simple or Present Perfect Simple

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T129 - Mira and I - Past or Present Perfect Tense - English Grammar Exercises

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Kahoot Quiz - Simple Past or Present Perfect

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Kahoot Quiz - Simple Past or Present Perfect

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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NEW CHALLENGE 25th of February

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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Question and Negation - Ask for the underline word - English Grammar Practice

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WO002 - Word Order

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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WO002 - Word Order in Sentences - English Grammar exercises

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WO001 - Word order in sentences

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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WO001 - Word order - English Grammar Exercises

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Adjectives - superlative form - elementary

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Adjectives - superlative form - elementary

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AD041 - Adjectives and Superlatives

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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Adjectives - comparative and superlative - elementary

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Adjectives - comparative and superlative - elementary

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AD032 - Adjectives : Positive, Comparative and Superlative Forms

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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AD032 - Adjectives : Positive, Comparative and Superlative Forms

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Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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AD038 Adjective - Adverb

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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Adjectives - describing people - intermediate

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Adjectives - describing people - intermediate

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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AD022 - Adjectives describing people - Match the words with the definitions.

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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Hard or Hardly - English Grammar exercises

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Choose HARD or HARDLY and fill in the blanks.

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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Elementary

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Listen carefully to the conversation in a restaurant and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

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Elementary

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Listen to Tyrone calling the staff at his local swimming pool and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

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Elementary

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Do the preparation exercise before you listen. Then, look at the map and listen to the directions while you do the other exercises.

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Elementary

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Listen to the conversation between a customer and a shop assistant and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

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Elementary

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Listen to the conversation about how to study better and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

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Elementary

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Take a tour of London by listening to this tour guide and do the exercises to improve your listening skills.

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Intermediate

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Listen to the radio interview about the Pomodoro Technique and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

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Intermediate

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Intermediate

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Listen to the people discussing different problems and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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T125 - Present Perfect Tense - Simple Form

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T125 - Present Perfect Simple -English Grammar exercises

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Simple Past or Present Perfect - Exercise

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Grammar Exercises, Simple Past, Present Perfect, English tenses, Online Exercise

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More practice - Present perfect vs past simple

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More practice - Present perfect vs past simple

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Present perfect simple vs past simple exercises

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Present perfect simple vs past simple exercises. Learn English online.

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Worksheets: past perfect simple and past perfect continuous. Printable exercises pdf, handouts to print.

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Do the exercises and also download the pdf  - here you can practise a bit more.

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Do the exercises and also download the pdf  - here you can practise a bit more.

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PA014 - Passive Voice - Change from active to passive

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We use reported speech when we want to tell someone what someone said. We usually use a reporting verb (e.g. say, tell, ask, etc.) and then change the tense of what was actually said in direct speech.
So, direct speech is what someone actually says? Like 'I want to know about reported speech'?

Yes, and you report it with a reporting verb.
He said he wanted to know about reported speech.
I said, I want and you changed it to he wanted.

Exactly. Verbs in the present simple change to the past simple; the present continuous changes to the past continuous; the present perfect changes to the past perfect; can changes to could; will changes to would; etc.
She said she was having the interview at four o'clock.
(Direct speech: 'I'm having the interview at four o'clock.')
They said they'd phone later and let me know.
(Direct speech: 'We'll phone later and let you know.')
OK, in that last example, you changed you to me too.

Yes, apart from changing the tense of the verb, you also have to think about changing other things, like pronouns and adverbs of time and place.
'We went yesterday.' > She said they had been the day before.
'I'll come tomorrow.' >He said he'd come the next day.
I see, but what if you're reporting something on the same day, like 'We went yesterday'?

Well, then you would leave the time reference as 'yesterday'. You have to use your common sense. For example, if someone is saying something which is true now or always, you wouldn't change the tense.
'Dogs can't eat chocolate.' > She said that dogs can't eat chocolate.
'My hair grows really slowly.' >He told me that his hair grows really slowly.
What about reporting questions?

We often use ask + if/whether, then change the tenses as with statements. In reported questions we don't use question forms after the reporting verb.
'Do you have any experience working with people?'
They asked if I had any experience working with people.
'What acting have you done?'
They asked me what acting I had done.
Is there anything else I need to know about reported speech?

One thing that sometimes causes problems is imperative sentences.

You mean like 'Sit down, please' or 'Don't go!'?

Exactly. Sentences that start with a verb in direct speech need a to + infinitive in reported speech.
She told him to be good. (Direct speech: 'Be good!')
He told them not to forget. (Direct speech: 'Please don't forget.')
OK. Can I also say 'He asked me to sit down'?

Yes. You could say 'He told me to ...' or 'He asked me to ...' depending on how it was said.

OK, I see. Are there any more reporting verbs?

Yes, there are lots of other reporting verbs like promise, remind, warn, advise, recommend, encourage which you can choose, depending on the situation. But say, tell and ask are the most common.

Great. I understand! My teacher said reported speech was difficult.

And I told you not to worry!

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Daisy has just had an interview for a summer job.

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Reported Speech Intermediate

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Reporting and summarising

When we want to report what people say, we don't usually try to report their exact words. We usually give a summary, for example:

Direct speech (exact words):

Mary: Oh dear. We've been walking for hours! I'm exhausted. I don't think I can go any further. I really need to stop for a rest.
Peter: Don't worry. I'm not surprised you're tired. I'm tired too. I'll tell you what, let's see if we can find a place to sit down, and then we can stop and have our picnic.

Reported speech (summary):

When Mary complained that she was tired out after walking so far, Peter said they could stop for a picnic.

Reporting verbs

When we want to report what people say, we use reporting verbs. Different reporting verbs have different patterns, for example:

Reporting and summarising 1

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Reporting and summarising 2

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Tenses in reported speech

When reporting what people say or think in English, we need to remember that the rules for tense forms in reported speech are exactly the same as in the rest of the language.

This is a letter that Andrew wrote ten years ago:

If we wanted to report what Andrew said in his letter, we might say something like this:

Andrew said that when he was 22, he was an engineering student in his last month at university. He wanted to travel abroad after he had finished his course at the university, but he would need to earn some money while he was abroad so he wanted to learn to teach English as a foreign language. A friend had recommended a course but Andrew needed more information, so he wrote to the school and asked them when their courses started and how much they were. He also wanted to know if there was an examination at the end of the course.

We would naturally use past tense forms to talk about things which happened ten years ago. So, tenses in reports and summaries in English are the same as in the rest of the language.

Sometimes we can choose between a past tense form and a present tense form. If we're talking about the past but we mention something that's still true, we can use the present tense:

John said he'd stayed at the Shangri-la because it's the best hotel in town.
Mary said she enjoyed the film because Robert de Nirois her favourite actor.
Helen said she loves visiting New York.

or the past tense:

John said he'd stayed at the Shangri-la because it was the best hotel in town.
Mary said she enjoyed the film because Robert de Nirowas her favourite actor.
Helen said sheloved visiting New York.

If we're talking about something that everybody knows is true, we normally use the present tense:

Michael said he'd always wanted to climb Everest because it's the highest mountain in the world.
Mary said she loved visiting New York because it's such an exciting city.

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When we want to report what people say, we don't usually try to report their exact words. We usually give a summary, for example: Direct speech (exact words): Mary: Oh dear. We've been walking for hours! I'm exhausted. I don't think I can go any further. I really need to stop for a rest.

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Reported Speech Questions

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Look at these examples to see how we can tell someone what another person asked.

direct speech: 'Do you work from home?' he said.
indirect speech:He asked me if I worked from home.

direct speech:'Who did you see?' she asked.
indirect speech:She asked me who I'd seen.

direct speech:'Could you write that down for me?' she asked.
indirect speech:She asked me to write it down.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

A reported question is when we tell someone what another person asked. To do this, we can use direct speech or indirect speech.

direct speech: 'Do you like working in sales?' he asked.
indirect speech: He asked me if I liked working in sales.

In indirect speech, we change the question structure (e.g. Do you like) to a statement structure (e.g. I like).

We also often make changes to the tenses and other words in the same way as for reported statements (e.g. have done → had done, today → that day). You can learn about these changes on the Reported speech 1 - statements page.

In yes/ no questions, we use if or whether to report the question. If is more common.

'Are you going to the Helsinki conference?'
He asked me if I was going to the Helsinki conference.
'Have you finished the project yet?'
She asked us whether we'd finished the project yet.

Questions with a question word

In what, where, why, who, when or how questions, we use the question word to report the question.

'What time does the train leave?'
He asked me what time the train left.
'Where did he go?'

Reporting verbs

The most common reporting verb for questions is ask, but we can also use verbs like enquire, want to know or wonder.

'Did you bring your passports?'
She wanted to know if they'd brought their passports.
'When could you get this done by?'
He wondered when we could get it done by.

Offers, requests and suggestions

If the question is making an offer, request or suggestion, we can use a specific verb pattern instead, for example offer + infinitive, ask + infinitive or suggest + ing.

'Would you like me to help you?' 'Can you hold this for me, please?' 'Why don't we check with Joel?'
She suggested checking with Joel.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Language level

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Look at these examples to see how we can tell someone what another person asked. direct speech: 'Do you work from home?' he said. indirect speech:He asked me if I worked from home. direct speech:'Who did you see?' she asked. indirect speech:She asked me who I'd seen.

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Reported Speech Statements

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Look at these examples to see how we can tell someone what another person said.

direct speech: 'I love the Toy Story films,' she said.
indirect speech: She said she loved the Toy Story films.

direct speech:'I worked as a waiter before becoming a chef,' he said.
indirect speech: He said he'd worked as a waiter before becoming a chef.

direct speech:'I'll phone you tomorrow,' he said.
indirect speech: He said he'd phone me the next day.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

Reported speech is when we tell someone what another person said. To do this, we can use direct speech or indirect speech.

direct speech: 'I work in a bank,' said Daniel.
indirect speech:Daniel said that he worked in a bank.

In indirect speech, we often use a tense which is 'further back' in the past (e.g. worked) than the tense originally used (e.g. work). This is called 'backshift'. We also may need to change other words that were used, for example pronouns.

Present simple, present continuous and present perfect

When we backshift, present simple changes to past simple, present continuous changes to past continuous and present perfect changes to past perfect.

'I travel a lot in my job.'
Jamila said that she travelled a lot in her job.
'The baby's sleeping!'
He told me the baby was sleeping.
'I've hurt my leg.'
She said she'd hurt her leg.

Past simple and past continuous

When we backshift, past simple usually changes to past perfect simple, and past continuous usually changes to past perfect continuous.

'We lived in China for five years.'
She told me they'd lived in China for five years.
'It was raining all day.'
He told me it had been raining all day.

Past perfect

The past perfect doesn't change.

'I'd tried everything without success, but this new medicine is great.'
He said he'd tried everything without success, but the new medicine was great.

No backshift

If what the speaker has said is still true or relevant, it's not always necessary to change the tense. This might happen when the speaker has used a present tense.

'I go to the gym next to your house.'
Jenny told me that she goes to the gym next to my house. I'm thinking about going with her.
'I'm working in Italy for the next six months.'
He told me he's working in Italy for the next six months. Maybe I should visit him!
'I've broken my arm!'
She said she's broken her arm, so she won't be at work this week.

Pronouns, demonstratives and adverbs of time and place

Pronouns also usually change in indirect speech.

'I enjoy working in my garden,' said Bob.
Bob said that he enjoyed working in his garden.
'We played tennis for our school,' said Alina.
Alina told me they'd played tennis for their school.

However, if you are the person or one of the people who spoke, then the pronouns don't change.

'I'm working on my thesis,' I said.
I told her that I was working on my thesis.
'We want our jobs back!' we said.
We said that we wanted our jobs back.

We also change demonstratives and adverbs of time and place if they are no longer accurate.

'This is my house.'

He said this was his house. [You are currently in front of the house.]

He said that was his house. [You are not currently in front of the house.]

'We like it here.'

She told me they like it here. [You are currently in the place they like.]

She told me they like it there. [You are not in the place they like.]

'I'm planning to do it today.'

She told me she's planning to do it today. [It is currently still the same day.]

She told me she was planning to do it that day. [It is not the same day any more.]

In the same way, these changes to those, now changes to then, yesterday changes to the day before, tomorrow changes to the next/following day and ago changes to before.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Language level

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Do you know how to report what somebody else said? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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After certain verbs we use the -ing form, and after other verbs we use the infinitive. Sometimes we can use either form and there is no change in meaning. Occasionally we can use either form and there is a change in meaning.
So what's the rule for whether we use the -ing form or the infinitive?

Sorry, there isn't a rule. You have to learn which verbs go with which pattern.

The verbs followed by -ing include enjoy, mind, stop and recommend.
I told him you really enjoy cooking.
Would youmind helping me?
It didn'tstop raining all day yesterday.
Daisyrecommends trying Alfie's tiramisu. Imagine not having pizza! I eat it all the time.
Verbs usually followed by -ing
stop finish imagine suggest recommend avoid mind miss risk enjoy
I thought you could say: ' I recommend that you see that film'?

Yes, you're right, you can. But we're not looking at the more complex patterns with that or an object today.

OK, what about the verbs followed by the infinitive?
She decided to go with Elliot instead.
Iwanted to visit Rome.
Shepromised to take me there.
Iplanned to go to some real Italian restaurants.
She didn'tforget to phone.
The negative is verb + not + infinitive.
They decided not to make pizza.
Here are more verbs that are usually followed by the infinitive:
hope offer fail agree forget manage learn afford arrange ask expect would like decide plan promise want invite
What about the verbs that can be followed by either form?

It started raining. or It started to rain.
Don'tbother waiting for me. or Don't bother to wait for me.

The verbs like, love and hate can be followed by -ing or the infinitive when talking about repeated actions.

I love reading long novels. (British English or American English)
I love to read long novels. (American English)

But when we are talking about situations, we use the -ing form.
Paulo loves living by the beach in Rio.
Do you like working as a waitress?
So, ' I love learning grammar rules' or ' I love to learn grammar rules' are both OK?

Exactly. But there are some more verbs which can be followed by -ing or the infinitive, but the two options have different meanings, for example remember and stop.

I never remember to lock the door, and my mum gets really angry!
(remember + infinitive =remember something and then do it)
I neverremember locking the door, but when I go back and check I always have.
(remember + -ing =remember something you did before)

She stopped smoking three years ago.
(stop + -ing =to not do something any more)
It was hot, so westopped to have a drink. (we stopped walking)
(stop + infinitive =to not do something in order to do something else)

Let's stop to have a rest now.

OK, later on you can try to remember all the patterns.

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Oliver, Daisy and Alfie are at Oliver and Daisy's home. Oliver is upset, so Daisy and Alfie decide to cheer him up.

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Look at these examples to see how these verb patterns work.

The bus stopped picking up the children.
The bus stopped to pick up the children. I want to try studying with a friend to see if it helps us stay more motivated.
I'm trying to study but it's impossible with all this noise.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive 2: Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

Some verbs have a different meaning depending on whether they are followed by an - ing form or to + infinitive.

Stop + - ing means the action is not happening any more.

I've stopped buying the newspaper because now I read the news online.

Stop + to + infinitive means that someone or something stops an activity so that they can do something else.

He stopped the video to ask the students some questions.

Try + - ing means that you are trying something as an experiment, especially as a possible solution to a problem, to see if it works or not.

Have you tried turning the computer off and on again?

Try + to + infinitive means that something is difficult but you are making an effort to do it.

I'm trying to learn Japanese but it's very difficult.

Remember + - ing and forget + - ing refer to having (or not having) a memory of something in the past.

I remember watching this film before.
I'll neverforget meeting you for the first time in this café.

Remember + to + infinitive and forget + to + infinitive refer to recalling (or not recalling) that there is something we need to do before we do it.

Please remember to buy some milk on the way home.
Heforgot to lock the door when he went out.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive 2: Grammar test 2

Language level

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Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive 2

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Look at these examples to see how these verb patterns work. The bus stopped picking up the children. The bus stopped to pick up the children. I want to try studying with a friend to see if it helps us stay more motivated. I'm trying to study but it's impossible with all this noise.

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Look at these examples to see how the verb forms are used.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive 1: Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

A verb can be followed by another verb. The second one usually needs to change into the - ing form or the to + infinitive form. Which form you need depends on what the first verb is.

Verbs followed by the -ing form

When enjoy, admit and mind are followed by another verb, it must be in the - ing form.

I enjoy travelling.
He admittedstealing the necklace.
I don't mindwaiting if you're busy.

Like and love can be followed by the - ing form and the to + infinitive form. They are both correct.

Verbs followed by to + infinitive form

When want, learn and offer are followed by another verb, it must be in the to + infinitive form.

I want to speak to the manager.
She's learningto play the piano.
He offeredto help us wash up.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive' 1: Grammar test 2

Language level

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Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive 1

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Look at these examples to see how the verb forms are used. Try this exercise to test your grammar. Grammar test 1 Verbs followed by '-ing' or by 'to' + infinitive 1: Grammar test 1 Read the explanation to learn more. A verb can be followed by another verb.