French reported speech in the past
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French reported speech in the past
When reporting speech from a past viewpoint, present commonly shifts to imparfait, passé composé to plus-que-parfait, and future to conditional. Adjust pronouns and time expressions to the reporting context.
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
Present to imperfect
Léa a dit qu’elle travaillait ce jour-là.
Léa said she was working that day.
Future to conditional
Il a annoncé qu’il reviendrait le lendemain.
He announced that he would return the next day.
Common mix-ups
An indirect question uses statement word order without est-ce que.
She asked where we lived.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
Paul said: Je suis fatigué. Report this later from a past viewpoint.
Show one possible answer
Paul a dit qu'il était fatigué.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
Keep practicing
Related grammar
Grammar references
Practice French grammar in context
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