Grammar Challenge - Reported questions | Текст песни

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/820_gramchallenge44/
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Catherine's Grammar Explanation: Reported Questions:

Hi Noelia! Well done. When we want to tell somebody about a question that somebody else asked, we
often use reported speech. Here's William's mum's original question:
William's mum: Um, hi, are you and Jackie coming over for tea?
And here's William reporting the question to Jackie:
William: …she asked if we were going over for tea.
William uses a reporting verb – in this case, asked.
William: …she asked if we were going over for tea.
For yes / no questions, use if or whether. But if there's a question word, such as who, what or how, use
it! Listen:
William's mum: ... and how are you going to get here?
William: …and she also asked how we were going to get there.
And you have to use statement word order. William's mum says are you, but William says we are.
William also changed the pronouns, from 'you and Jackie', to 'we':
William's mum: … are you and Jackie coming over for tea?
William: …she asked if we were going over for tea.
Now, tenses often move back: from present simple to past simple, past simple to past perfect and so
on. But, if the thing being talked about was true when it was originally said, and is still true when it's
being reported, you can keep the tense the same if you want. And, you don't have to move the tense
back if you're reporting something that's just been said.
So to recap: Say who was talking and use a reporting verb. Repeat the question word, or use if or
whether for yes / no questions. Statement word order, change the pronouns and move the tense back if
necessary.
Ok, that's all from me. Good luck with your grammar challenge!
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