有些读者来信问到一些有关间接引语的问题，并还要求对间接引语作一全面系统的介绍。我们觉得似乎没有必要重复英语课本和一般语法书已讲过的基本知识。所以，我们只能就几个常见的疑难问题作一些探讨。
问一： He said he had seen the film. 的相应的直接引语只能是 I saw the film 吗？
不，其直接引语也可能是：
(1)I have seen the film.
(2)I had seen the film.
你看，间接引语中的过去完成时在其相应的直接引语中可能有三个不同的时态。究竟应是哪一个，要由具体的上下文而定。
问二： I didn't know that you were so rich. 的相应的直接引语只能是 You are so rich 吗？
不，也可能是 You were so rich.
问三： What day were you going to Shanghai? 是什么意思？
它实际上=What day did you say you were going to Shanghai? 意思是： 你刚才说哪一天要去上海？ 谓语动词 say 的宾语是一个间接疑问句。
问四： He said that he was looking for his glasses. 的相应的直接引语有哪些？
有二：一是 I am looking for my glasses., 一是 I was looking for my glasses.。
问五： 在 Aristotle thought it over carefully and concluded that heavy objects always fall faster than light ones. 一句中，间接引语从内容讲显然是错误的，但为什么用现在一般时 fall?
是的，间接引语中的命题是错误的，但在亚里斯多德本人看来却是普遍真理，在这种情况下，英语亦可在间接引语中用现在一般时。再如：
(3)The cynic said that all men are vain.
问六： 如果直接引语是 I haven't finished my homework yet.，间接引语里应用什么时态？
一般都用过去完成时，如：
(4)He said he hadn't finished his homework yet.
但如说话时他的作业仍未完成，亦可用现在完成时，如：
(5)He said he hasn't finished his homework yet.
问七： 我知道 said, told 等之后的间接引语可以用现在时态， 但不知可否用将来时态？
也可以用将来时态，如：
(6)He told me this morning that he will go with us tomorrow. （will显然较 would 生动）
问八： He said he should not get up the next day. 中的间接引语为什么用 should? 它在此意味着什么？
这句话的相应的直接引语是 I shall not get up tomorrow 。所以 he should 乃从I shall 变来。should 在此只表过去将来，并无具体词义。当然亦可用 would。
问九： 如果直接引语是 If you were to come tomorrow, I might have time to see you, 变为间接引语时时态作何变动？
时态一般不需要作任何变动，可径直变为：
(7)He said that if I were to come the next day, he might have time to see me.
问十： 用虚拟过去式引述间接引语时，间接引语中的时态需要变换吗？
引述动词如属虚拟过去式，直接引语中的现在时态一般须变为过去时态，如：
(8)— I suppose you are glad.
— I should think I was.
(9)I would rather you remained here.
但现在完成时有时可以不变，如：
(10)I wish I could say that I've never been afraid.
