Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Reporting speech with と言う
Report what someone said with and related patterns.
Start with the example
「」。
Tanaka said, “I’m taking today off.”
The quoted line comes before , and shows reported speech.
Notice the variation
。
My father says he will come home at seven.
can report an earlier statement that remains relevant. It does not require the father to be speaking at this instant.
More detail: how to apply this
Place after the quoted clause, then read the verb after it.
With and related verbs, usually marks what someone said, announced, or reported.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Separate the time of saying something from the event described inside the quotation.
reports her statement in the past. It does not establish that she has already made the trip.
。
My mother said that she would go to the shop later.
Separate the time of saying something from the event described inside the quotation.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
「」。
Tanaka said, “I’m taking today off.”
The quoted line comes before , and shows reported speech.
Vocabulary notes
- 田中さん
- Tanaka
- 今日
- today
Compare in context
。
My father says he will come home at seven.
can report an earlier statement that remains relevant. It does not require the father to be speaking at this instant.
Compare in context
。
The teacher said that there will be a test next week.
Quotation does not need quote marks as long as and make the structure clear.
Vocabulary notes
- 言いました
- said
Section 2 of 4
Expressing thoughts with と思う
Expressing thoughts with
Start with the example
。
I think this shop is cheap.
The clause comes before in plain form.
Notice the variation
。
I think it will rain tomorrow.
Plain-form content before can describe an expectation about tomorrow.
More detail: how to apply this
The content before is usually in plain form, even when the whole sentence ends politely.
Read that content first, then attach the speaker’s thought after it.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I think this shop is cheap.
The clause comes before in plain form.
。
I think this shop is cheap.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I think this shop is cheap.
Showing Expressing thoughts with と思う: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
I think this shop is cheap.
The clause comes before in plain form.
Vocabulary notes
- この
- this
Preview
。
I think it will rain tomorrow.
Plain-form content before can describe an expectation about tomorrow.
Vocabulary notes
- 明日
- tomorrow
- 降る
- to fall (rain/snow)
- 思う
- to think
Preview
。
Yamada thinks this job is difficult.
often shows an ongoing opinion or belief.
Vocabulary notes
- 山田さん
- Mr. or Ms. Yamada
- 難しい
- difficult
Section 3 of 4
Read the whole clause before と
Separate the time of saying something from the event described inside the quotation.
Read the whole clause before と
。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
identifies the speaker whose words are being reported: the narrator’s mother.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
Do not decide the meaning of too early.
First read the full chunk before it, then check the verb after it.
With , , and , quotation is likely.
With a noun before , it may mean “with” instead.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
My mother said that she would go to the shop later.
Read as one clause before .
。
My mother said that she would go to the shop later.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: My mother said that she would go to the shop later.
Showing Read the whole clause before と: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
My mother said that she would go to the shop later.
Read as one clause before .
Vocabulary notes
- あとで
- later; afterward
- 行く
- to go
Preview
。
I heard that they would come tomorrow at nine.
With after , the clause before is reported information.
Vocabulary notes
- 明日
- tomorrow
- 九時
- nine o'clock
Preview
。
I watched a movie with a friend.
Here means “with,” not quotation, because it links a noun before .
Vocabulary notes
- 友だち
- friend
- と
- and; with; that
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and .
reports saying;
reports thinking.
Neither by itself verifies the weather.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
reports saying; reports thinking. Neither by itself verifies the weather.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: Says it is rainy / thinks it is rainy
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.