indirect speech

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indirect speech

by Samah

Hi Ola

I got this question in exam to change into the indirect speech;

"I don't know how much it costs" she said

My answer was:
she said that she didn't know how much it costs

The teacher said this is wrong and the correct answer is:
she said that she didn't know how much it costed

Which is correct? I am so confused!
Thanks in advance!

Samah

Comments for
indirect speech

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May 19, 2011

Thank you
by: Samah

Thank u Ola, I also didn't remember the past of cost!

May 15, 2011

THANKS
by: Tu

Thank you for your answer, Ola Zur. I didn't remember the past of "cost".

May 14, 2011

Answer
by: Ola Zur

Hi Samah,

The basic rule of indirect (reported speech) is that all verbs "move" one tense backward (into the past).

So the following happens:

don't know --> didn't know

costs --> costed

Ooops! wait a minute! this is incorrect! ;)

The past form of cost is cost!

Examples:

Present: It costs $7.
Past: It cost $7.

So the correct sentence is really:

"She said that she didn't know how much it cost."

Maybe you should correct your teacher ;)

Ola Zur is the editor of www.really-learn-english.com, an illustrated guide to English.

May 06, 2011

My responce...
by: Tu

I am not Ola Zur,
but I think your teacher was right!

You are confused about your teacher? Why you don't ask him/her directly?

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