How can I use "imparfait" in the subordinate clause when the main clause is past

Ozan D.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

How can I use "imparfait" in the subordinate clause when the main clause is past

he knew that : "I was playing football" =direct speech
he knew that I had been playing football=indirect speech
or
he knew that "I used to play football" = direct speech
he knew that I used to play football=indirect speech

How can I create "indirect speech" for these sentences 
will you please help me? Thank you

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Ozan, 

The two tenses that don't change in indirect speech ( discours rapporté) are the imparfait and the plus que parfait.

Il savait qu'il avait joué au football He knew that he had played football

Il savait qu'il jouait au football He knew that he used to play football/was playing football.

Indirect speech is followed by reporting verbs like, dire, demander , répondre, raconter, expliquer etc.

savoir is not one of those.

Two sentences using the imperfect/pluperfect would be -

Il a expliqué qu'il jouait au football = He explained that he was playing football

Il a raconté qu'il avait joué au football He said that he had played football

Hope this helps!

How can I use "imparfait" in the subordinate clause when the main clause is past

he knew that : "I was playing football" =direct speech
he knew that I had been playing football=indirect speech
or
he knew that "I used to play football" = direct speech
he knew that I used to play football=indirect speech

How can I create "indirect speech" for these sentences 
will you please help me? Thank you

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