English grammar
Recap: hope (that), told vs said, reported speech, for sale
Follow a story about a snapped basket rope and an official letter, recapping hope, told, and reported speech.
From the scene Broken again?
In short
After hope, the present often covers the future: I hope you tell them. Told takes a person; said doesn't.
Your turn
Which one goes with told + person?
Options: they say they want an answer · I already told them · I hope you tell them
Show answer
told + person → I already told them
How it works
After hope, the present is the most natural way to talk about the future: I hope you tell them.
Good to know
Told usually has a person straight after it (I told them); said doesn't (I said to them, or just I said).
Good to know
When you report words spoken earlier, the tense usually moves one step into the past: I was thinking about it, not I am thinking about it.
Good to know
Notices use for sale and not for sale.
hope + present (about the future) I hope you tell them
Elena
I hope you tell them that nothing here is for sale.
Espero que les conteste que aquí no se vende nada.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) that nothing here is for sale.
Options: I hope you tell them · I already told them · They say they want an answer
Show answer
Elena
I hope you tell them that nothing here is for sale.
Espero que les conteste que aquí no se vende nada.
told + person I already told them
Ramón
I already told them I was thinking about it.
Ya les dije que lo estaba pensando.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) I was thinking about it.
Options: I already told them · I hope you tell them · They say they want an answer
Show answer
Ramón
I already told them I was thinking about it.
Ya les dije que lo estaba pensando.
a present fact, reported: no backshift they say they want an answer
Ramón
The same one. They say they want an answer before Monday.
La misma. Dicen que quieren una respuesta antes del lunes.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
The same one. (blank) before Monday.
Options: They say they want an answer · I hope you tell them · I already told them
Show answer
Ramón
The same one. They say they want an answer before Monday.
La misma. Dicen que quieren una respuesta antes del lunes.
notice language: for sale message: not for sale
Nuria
Then answer with another burofax. Sender: the neighbours. Message: not for sale.
Pues conteste con otro burofax. Remitente: los vecinos. Mensaje: no se vende.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Then answer with another burofax. Sender: the neighbours. (blank).
Options: Message: not for sale · I hope you tell them · I already told them
Show answer
Nuria
Then answer with another burofax. Sender: the neighbours. Message: not for sale.
Pues conteste con otro burofax. Remitente: los vecinos. Mensaje: no se vende.
Common mistake
Not said or tell here. Past, and the person comes straight after the verb.
I already told them I was thinking about it.
Ya les dije que lo estaba pensando.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| hope + present (about the future) | I hope you tell them |
|---|---|
| told + person | I already told them |
| a present fact, reported: no backshift | they say they want an answer |
| notice language: for sale | message: not for sale |
More lines from the story
- ElenaMy oranges went down three floors in one second.Mis naranjas han bajado tres pisos en un segundo.
- RamónWorse: a burofax, a legal letter. That way nobody can say they didn't get it.Peor: un burofax, una carta con valor legal. Así nadie puede decir que no le ha llegado.