Indirect speech (estilo indirecto)

Question 1

Indirect speech, also called ‘reported speech’, reports what was said without using the exact words of the speaker. What was said becomes a subordinate clause, usually joined by the conjunction “que”.

Question 2

“I can’t come tomorrow.” becomes

Answer 2

No puedo venir mañana

Question 3

He said he couldn’t come the next day.

Answer 3

Dijo que no podía venir al día siguiente.

Question 4

In changing from direct to indirect speech, certain elements change:

the reference of the people involved (personal pronouns, possessive pronouns):

Question 5

I can ( present ) becomes I could ( imperfect )

Answer 5

“Yo no puedo” becomes Él no podía.

Answer 6

time references (verbs, adverbs):
puedo (present) becomes podía (imperfect)

Question 7

tomorrow becomes the/the next day

Answer 7

mañana becomes el/al día siguiente

Question 8

place references (demonstratives, adverbs or phrases of place):

Question 9

here becomes there

Answer 9

aquí becomes allí