Shifting Time: Common Time Word Changes Quiz

  • 7th Grade
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| Questions: 20 | Updated: Jan 6, 2026
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1. Which is the usual reported-speech change for the time word now?

Explanation

In reported speech, now usually changes to then to show the time of the original speaking.

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About This Quiz
Shifting Time: Common Time Word Changes Quiz - Quiz

Focus on mastering changes for time expressions. This time word changes quiz gives you practice with specific conversions like changing "yesterday" to "the day before" or "next month" to "the following month." You’ll correctly shift all common time expressions when reporting dialogue.

2. Which is the usual reported-speech change for tomorrow?

Explanation

Tomorrow usually becomes the next day or the following day in reported speech.

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3. Which is the usual reported-speech change for yesterday?

Explanation

Yesterday usually becomes the day before or the previous day in reported speech.

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4. In reported speech, today usually changes to that day.

Explanation

We say that day to show the same day from the reporter’s point of view.

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5. In reported speech, tomorrow usually changes to the day before.

Explanation

Tomorrow usually becomes the next day or the following day, not the day before.

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6. Which time word changes are usually correct in reported speech?

Explanation

These are all standard time conversions when changing from direct to reported speech.

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7. Which time word changes are NOT standard in reported speech?

Explanation

Yesterday should not change to the next day, and tomorrow should not change to the day before.

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8. Direct: "I am busy now," she said. Reported: She said that she was busy __________.

Explanation

Now normally becomes then in reported speech.

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9. Direct: "We have a game today," he said. Reported: He said that they had a game __________.

Explanation

Today usually becomes that day in reported speech.

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10. Direct: "I will finish it tomorrow," she said. Reported: She said that she would finish it __________.

Explanation

Tomorrow usually becomes the next day or the following day in reported speech.

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11. Direct: "I will call you tonight," he said. Which reported sentence shows the correct time word change?

Explanation

Tonight usually changes to that night in reported speech.

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12. Direct: "We met last week," they said. Which reported sentence is correct?

Explanation

Last week usually becomes the previous week or the week before in reported speech.

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13. In reported speech, next year often changes to the following year or the next year.

Explanation

We use the following year or the next year to show future time from the original speaking.

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14. Which pairs show correct time word changes from direct to reported speech?

Explanation

A, B, C, and D use the standard time conversions for yesterday, tomorrow, now, and last night.

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15. Which reported sentences use time words incorrectly?

Explanation

In D today should change to that day, and in E tomorrow should change to the next day, not the day before.

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16. Direct: "I met him two days ago," she said. Reported: She said that she had met him two days __________.

Explanation

In reported speech, the word ago usually becomes before.

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17. Direct: "We watched a movie last night," he said. Reported: He said that they had watched a movie __________.

Explanation

Last night usually becomes the night before in reported speech.

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18. Why do we change time words like today and tomorrow when we report speech later?

Explanation

The listener hears the report at a later time, so time words must match that new moment.

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19. Sometimes time words do not change in reported speech if the report is made at the same time as the original speech.

Explanation

If nothing has shifted in time, words like today and now may stay the same.

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20. When checking a reported-speech sentence for time word accuracy, what should you do first?

Explanation

You should scan for time expressions and decide whether they need standard reported-speech conversions.

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Which is the usual reported-speech change for the time word now?
Which is the usual reported-speech change for tomorrow?
Which is the usual reported-speech change for yesterday?
In reported speech, today usually changes to that day.
In reported speech, tomorrow usually changes to the day before.
Which time word changes are usually correct in reported speech?
Which time word changes are NOT standard in reported speech?
Direct: "I am busy now," she said. Reported: She said that she was...
Direct: "We have a game today," he said. Reported: He said that they...
Direct: "I will finish it tomorrow," she said. Reported: She said that...
Direct: "I will call you tonight," he said. Which reported sentence...
Direct: "We met last week," they said. Which reported sentence is...
In reported speech, next year often changes to the following year or...
Which pairs show correct time word changes from direct to reported...
Which reported sentences use time words incorrectly?
Direct: "I met him two days ago," she said. Reported: She said that...
Direct: "We watched a movie last night," he said. Reported: He said...
Why do we change time words like today and tomorrow when we report...
Sometimes time words do not change in reported speech if the report is...
When checking a reported-speech sentence for time word accuracy, what...
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