Original BandLadder material
Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.
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The first 3 of 9 cards
the verb, the tense, the order, the person
Reporting has four moving parts: the verb, the tense, the pronouns and the word order. Miss one and it shows.
My tutor asked where was my essaystatement order, said metold me it was late, and asked did I need more timeif + I needed.
Pearson summary grammar: “correct grammatical structure”.
the reporting verb decides
Would, could, might and should usually stay as they are. Pronouns move too: I → she.
what moves
| They said | You report | What moved |
|---|---|---|
| “I am tired.” | He said he was tired. | am → was |
| “We finished.” | They said they had finished. | past → past perfect |
| “It will open.” | She said it would open. | will → would |
| “I’ll call tomorrow.” | She said she would call the next day. | tomorrow → the next day |
Time words move only when time has moved on.
Card 4 of 9 onwards
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