Reported Speech

A Short Theoretical Overview_1

Indirect speech provides the exact meaning of a remark or a speech, without necessarily using the speakers exact words. When turning direct into indirect speech some changes are usually necessary. When the introductory verb is in the present, present perfect or future tense, direct speech can be reported without any change of tense: e.g. Tom: I am driving Tom says he is driving. I have just had a cup of coffee Tom says he has just had a cup of coffee. When the introductory verb is in the past tense, the verbs in the direct speech have to be changed into a corresponding past tense:

Simple Present I never drink coffee, he explained. Present Continuous I am making a phone call, he said. Present Perfect I have written my essay, she claimed. Present Perfect Continuous I have been waiting for ages, he complained. Simple Past I took it home with me, she said. Future Tense I shall be in Paris on Monday, he said. Future Continuous I shall be writing the essay on Saturday, she said.

Simple Past He explained (that) he never drank coffee. Past Continuous He said (that) he was making a phone call. Past Perfect She claimed (that) she had written her essay. Past Perfect Continuous He complained he had been waiting for ages. Past Perfect She said she had taken it home with her. Future-in-the-Past He said he would be in Paris on Monday. Future-in-the Past Continuous She said she would be writing the essay on Saturday.

Adverb and pronoun changes: Today That day

Yesterday The day before yesterday Tomorrow The day after tomorrow Next week / next month / next year Last week / month / year ago Now Here This These I We My Our Exceptions: 1. the Conditional Clause stays unchanged:

The day before, the previous day Two days before The next day, the following day In two days time The next / following week / month / year The previous week / month / year before / the previous Then There That Those He / she They His / her Their

I should like to stay, he said. He said he would like to stay. 2. The Past Tense (Simple or Continuous) in Time Clauses does not normally change when turning from Direct into Indirect Speech: When we were living in Bucharest, he said, we used to go to the Opera a lot. He said that when they were living in Bucharest they used to go to the Opera a lot. 3. A past tense used to describe a state of affairs which still exists when the speech is reported remains unchanged: I decided not to buy the house because it was on a main road, she said. She said that she had decided not to buy the house because it was on the main road. 4. The Subjunctive stays unchanged in the subordinate clause: We wish we didnt have to take exams. The children said they wished they didnt have to take exams. 5. had better stays unchanged: The children had better go to bed earlier, said Tom. Tom said that the children had better go to bed earlier. 6. might, ought to, should1, would, used to stay unchanged in reported speech: He said, Ann might ring today. He said that Ann might ring that day.

Obs.: Indirect statements are normally introduced by tell or say + object: e.g. He told me that he had just heard the news.

Should changes to would if it is used as a first person form for would. E.g.: I should love to come. - She said she would love to come.

Other verbs: add, admit, answer, argue, assure (+ object), boast, complain, deny, explain, grumble, object, observe, point out, promise, protest, remark, remind (+object), reply. All these verbs (except for assure, point out and remind) can be inverted, provided the subject is a noun: e.g. But it will take longer, Bill objected/objected Bill. Itll cost too much, Jack grumbled/grumbled Jack. The same with such verbs as murmur, mutter, shout, stammer, whisper. e.g. Youre late, whispered Tom/Tom whispered. Tom whispered that we were late

Grammar Practice_1 I Yesterday you met a friend of yours, Steve. You hadnt seen him for a long time. Here are some of the things Steve said to you. Later that day you tell another friend what Steve said. Use reported speech. 1. Im living in London. 2. My father isnt very well. .. 3. Rachel and Mark are getting married next month. . 4. My sister has had a baby. ..

5. I dont know what Frank is doing. 6. I saw Helen at a party in June and she seemed fine. 7. I havent seen Diane recently. ... 8. Im not enjoying my job very much. . 9. You can come and stay at my place if youre ever in London. 10. My car was stolen a few days ago. .. 11. I want to go on holiday, but I cant afford it. .. 12. Ill tell Chris I saw you.

II Rewrite the following sentences in reported speech: 1. Ill come and see on Friday if thats all right. (She said) 2. The conference will be spending a considerable time discussing the world debt crisis. (He said) 3. The shops closing in half an hour. (She explained) 4. Hes planning to set up his own business. (Garteh tells me) 5. Were going to have to make quite a few cutbacks. (The managing director said) 6. The police have been investigating new allegations of fraud. (A spokesperson said) 7. When the project first started, there was a lot of interest in it. (She explained) 8. Its pouring with rain down here. (She told me) 9. Ill have finished writing the report by the time you get here. (She promised me) 10. My new computer has made a lot of difference to me. (She says) 11. The 8.45 train from Waterloo will be arriving in approximately five minutes. (The station announcer has just said) 12. When we were setting up the organization, we had very little money. (They told me)

13. The club lost quite a lot of money last month. (The treasurer told the meeting) 14. It will be a very difficult time for all of us. (He agreed) 15. You work too hard. You should take more time off. (He told me)

III Put the following statements into indirect speech: 1. Im going out now, but Ill be in by nine, he said. 2. Im working in a restaurant, and dont much care for it, she said. 3. I cant live on my basic salary said Peter. Ill have to offer to do overtime. 4. My young brother wants to be a tax inspector, said Mary. I cant think why. None of my family has ever been a tax inspector. 5. Were waiting for the school bus, said the children. Its late again. 6. Ive made a terrible mistake! said Peter. Youre always making terrible mistakes, I said. You should be used to it by now. 7. We make $450 a week, said one of the men, and send most of it home to our wives. 8. Theres been an accident and the road is blocked said the policeman. It wont be clear for some time. Youd better go round the other way. 9. I was thinking of going by bus, said Paul. I shouldnt go by bus (if I were you), said his aunt. Its an awfully bad service. 10. Youd better take sleeping bags; you may have to sleep out, he warned us. 11. Nothing ever happens in the village, she said. Its like a dead village. All the young people have drifted away to the towns. 12. Ive missed my train, said Bill. Now Ill be late for work and my boss will be furious. 13. Well wait for you if youre late, they said. 14. They are supposed to be landing at London airport, I said. But if the fog gets any thicker the plane may be diverted.

15. If you lend me the chainsaw, said Mary, Ill bring it back the day after tomorrow. 16. 'I hate getting up on dark mornings,' grumbled Peter. 'It is horrible,' agreed his wife, 'but the mornings will be lighter soon and then it won't be quite so bad.' 17. 'The sales are starting tomorrow,' said the typist. 'As soon as we finish work the whole typing pool is going to make a dash for the shops.' 18. Lets light a fire and cook our sausages over it, said the children. .

A Short Theoretical Overview_2 When turning direct questions into indirect speech, the following changes are necessary: tenses, pronouns and possessive adjectives, and adverbs of time and place change as in statements the interrogative form of the verb changes to the affirmative form, the question mark (?) being therefore omitted in indirect questions: e.g. He said, Where does she live? = He asked where she lived. if the introductory verb is say, it must be changed to: ask, inquire, wonder, want to know etc.:

e.g.

He said, Where is the station? = He asked where the station was.

Grammar Practice_2 I Make a new sentence from the question in brackets: 1. Where has Tom gone? Do you know .? 2. Where in the post office? Could you tell me where ..? 3. Whats the time? I wonder 4. What does this word mean? I want to know. .. 5. What time did they leave? Do you know ? 6. Is Sue going out tonight? I dont know 7. Where does Caroline live? Do you have any idea ? 8. Where did I park the car? I cant remember 9. Is there a bank near here? Can you tell me ..? 10. What do you want? Tell me .. 11. Why didnt Kate come to the party? I dont know 12. How much does it cost to park here? Do you know ..? 13. Who is that woman? I have no idea . 14. Did Liz get my letter? Do you know ? 15. How far is it to the airport? Can you tell me .?

II You have been away for a while and have just come back to your home town. You meet Tony, a friend of yours. He asks you a lot of questions. Now you tell another friend what Tony asked you. Use reported speech. 1. How are you? 2. Where have you been? . 3. How long have you been back? 4. What are you doing now? . 5. Why did you come back? .. 6. Where are you living? .. 7. Are you glad to be back? .. 8. Do you have any plans to go away again? 9. Can you lend me some money?

II Put the following questions into indirect speech: 1. Who has been using my typewriter? said my mother. .... 2. Do you want to see the cathedral? said the guide. 3. Do you mind working on the night shifts? he asked. 4. Would you like to come with us? they said. 5. Who did you give the money to? asked Ann. 6. How long does it take to get to Edinburgh by coach? asked the tourist. 7. How much do you think it will cost? he said. 8. What did you miss most when you were in prison? Mary asked the ex-convict. 9. Another passenger came in and said, Is this seat taken? 10. How do you get on with your mother-in-law? said Paul.

11. How did you get into the house? they asked him. 12. What were you doing with these skeleton keys? said Mr. Jones. Were you trying to get at the secret files? 13. Did you sleep well? asked my hostess. 14. Have you been here long? the other students asked him. 15. Can you tell me why Paul left the university without taking his degree? Pauls sister asked.

A Short Theoretical Overview_3 - questions, advice, requests, invitations, suggestions -

Obs.1: what about often introduces a suggestion and is then reported by suggest: e.g. 'What about flying?' he said. He suggested flying. 'I can't come at 1.00,' said Ann. 'Then what about 2.00?' said Tom.

Ann said she couldn't come at 1.00, so Tom suggested 2.00. Obs.2: why don't you often introduces suggestions or advice and is then reported by suggest or advise: e.g. 'I wonder if Tom is coming,' said Ann. 'Why don't you ask him?' I said. Ann wondered if Tom was coming. I advised her to ask him or / suggested (her) asking him. Obs.3: 'Could I have' is normally reported by ask for: e.g. 'Could I have a cup of coffee?' she said. She asked (me) for a cup of coffee. Obs.4: could you used for requests is reported by ask + object + infinitive: e.g. 'Could you sign the book, please?' he said. He asked me to sign the book. Obs.5: but when could you introduces an ordinary question the verb is reported unchanged: e.g. 'Could you live entirely on you own?' he said. He asked if I could live entirely on my own. Obs.6: would you mind waiting/signing etc. can be reported: e.g. He asked me to wait/sign etc. or He asked if I would mind waiting/signing etc. Obs.7: offer can be used in two constructions: e.g. 'Would you like a drink?' He offered me a drink. 'Shall I wait for you? I'll wait for you if you like.' He offered to wait for me.

Grammar Practice_3 Put the following into indirect speech. 1. 'Shall we have dinner somewhere after the theatre?' said Peter. 'Yes, let's,' said Ann. 'What about going to that place Jack is always talking about?' (For Yes, let's put Ann agreed.)

2. 'Jack's parents have asked me to supper tomorrow night,' said Ann. 'What shall I wear?' 'I should wear something warm, dear,' said her mother. 'It's a terribly cold house.' 3. 'I'm broke,' said Jack. 'Shall I lend you some money?' said Peter. 4. 'It will take a little time to look up your file,' said the clerk. 'Is it worth waiting,' said Ann, 'or shall I go away and come back later?' 5. 'Shall I have to do the whole exam again if I fail in one paper?' said the student. 'Yes,' said the teacher. 6. Where will you be tomorrow,' I said, 'in case I have to ring you?' 'I shall be in my office till six,' said the old man, 'and after that at my flat. I shan't be going to the club.' 7. 'What shall I do with this cracked cup?' Mary asked. 'You'd better throw it away,' said her mother. 8. 'Shall I ever see him again?' she wondered. 9. 'Would you mind getting out of the car?' said the driver. 'I have to change a wheel.' 'Shall I help you?' I said. 10. 'I've run out of petrol,' said the man. 'Could you possibly give me a lift to the next village?' 11. 'Shall we go for a walk?' said Peter. 'I like walking,' said Ann, 'but at the moment my only comfortable walking shoes are being mended. What about going for a drive instead?' A Short Theoretical Overview_4 - commands, requests, invitations, advice Indirect commands, requests, advice are usually expressed by a verb of command/request/advice + object + infinitive. The following verbs can be used: advise, ask, beg, command, encourage, entreat, forbid, implore, invite, order, recommend, remind, request, tell, urge, warn. e.g. He said. 'Get your coat, Tom!' - He told Tom to get his coat.

'You had better hurry, Bill!' she said. - She advised Bill to hurry. Negative commands, requests etc. are usually reported by not + infinitive: e.g. 'Don't swim out too far, boys,' I said - I warned/told the boys not to swim out too far. The verbs above require object + infinitive, i.e. they must be followed directly by the person addressed without preposition. The person addressed is often not mentioned in direct commands, requests etc. When reporting commands/requests such as He said, 'Go away!', we must add a noun or pronoun: e.g. He told me/him/her/us/them/the children to go away.

Grammar Practice_4 I Put the following sentences into indirect speech, using tell / order / urge / ask / beg / invite / advise / warn / remind + object + infinitive, or ask (+ object) + for, or, in some cases, ask + infinitive. 1. Dont put sticky things in your pockets, said his mother. 2. Please, please dont do anything dangerous, said his wife. 3. Go onapply for the job, said my friend. It would just suit you. 4. I should say nothing about it if I were you, said my brother. 5. Would you please wait in the lounge till your flight number is called? she said. 6. Dont lend Harry any money, I said to Ann. He never pays his debts. 7. Could you please ring back in half an hour? said the secretary. 8. Would you mind moving your case? said the other passenger. Its blocking the door. 9. Remember to book a table, said Ann. 10. Get into the right lane, said the driving instructor. 11. Avoid Marble Arch, said the policeman. Theres going to be a big demonstration there. 12. Hold the ladder, he said. Its rather unsteady.

13. Why dont you tie it at the top? I said. Its much safer than way. 14. Read the questions twice, said the teacher, and dont write in the margin. 15. Youd better not leave your money lying about, said one of the students. 16. Why dont you open a bank account? said another. (Use advise.)

II Put the following into indirect speech, using either constructions recommended in the previous exercise (for commands): say (that) + subject + be/should + infinitive or (for suggestions): suggest + gerund or that + subject + should. 1. 'Would you please fill in this form and then join the queue by the door?' said the clerk. 2. 'Could you read the last sentence again, please?' said the examiner. 3. 'Could I have a new cheque book, please?' said the girl. 'Could you show me your old cheque book?' said the bank clerk. 4. Postcard: Be ready to move off at very short notice. Tom. Ann (reading it to Mary): Tom says that we 5. 'Please, please don't tell my mother,' begged the boy. 6. 'Don't fire except in self-defence,' said the police sergeant. 7. 'Why don't you take the rest of the day off?' said my assistant. 8. 'Will you help me to move the piano, please?' said my aunt. 9. 'Don't drive too close to the car in front,' said the driving instructor. 10. 'Don't smoke near the petrol pump,' said the mechanic.

A Short Theoretical Overview_5 5.1 let's, let us, let him/them in indirect speech e.g. let's usually expresses a suggestion and is reported by suggest in indirect speech: He said, 'Let's leave the case at the station' He suggested leaving the case at the station He suggested that they/we should leave the case at the station.

 e.g.

similarly in the negative: 'Let's not say anything about it till we hear the facts' He suggested not saying anything/saying nothing about it till they heard the facts He suggested that they shouldn't say anything till they heard the facts.

e.g.

let's/let us sometimes expresses a call to action. It is then usually reported by urge/advise + object + infinitive: The strike leader said, 'Let's show the bosses that we are united.' The strike leader urged the workers to show the bosses that they were united.

5.2 exclamations and yes and no Exclamations usually become statements in indirect speech; the exclamation mark disappears. e.g. exclamations beginning What . . . or How ... can be reported 'What a dreadful idea!' or 'How dreadful.'' = He exclaimed that it was a dreadful idea. He exclaimed that it was dreadful. (b) by give an exclamation of delight/disgust/horror/relief/surprise etc. e.g. e.g. How wonderful! He gave an exclamation of delight. other types of exclamation, such as Good! Marvellous! Splendid! Heavens! Oh! Ugh! etc. can be reported in the same way: ' Ugh!' she exclaimed, and turned the programme off . With an exclamation of disgust she turned the programme off. other examples:

(a) by exclaim/say that:

He said, 'Thank you!' = He thanked me. He said. 'Curse this fog.'' = He cursed the fog. He said. 'Good luck!' = He wished me luck. He said. 'Happy Christmas'. = He wished me a happy Christmas. He said, 'Congratulations!' = He congratulated me. He said, 'Liar!' = He called me a liar. He said, 'Damn!'. = He swore. The notice said: WELCOME TO WALES.' = The notice welcomed visitors to Wales. e.g. yes and no are expressed in indirect speech by subject + appropriate auxiliary verb: He said, 'Can you swim?' and I said 'No'

He asked (me) if I could swim and I said I couldn't. He said, 'Will you have time to do it?' and I said 'Yes'. He asked if I would have time to do it and I said that I would.

5.3 indirect speech: mixed types Direct speech may consist of statement + question, question + command, command + statement, or all three together. Normally each requires its own introductory verb: e.g. a. 'I don't know the way. Do you?' he asked . He said he didn't know the way and asked her if she did/if she knew it. b. 'Someone's coming,' he said. 'Get behind the screen' He said that someone was coming and told me to get behind the screen. Sometimes, when the second clause is a statement which helps to explain the first, we can use as instead of a second introductory verb: e.g. a. 'You'd better wear a coat. It's very cold out.' he said. He advised me to wear a coat as it was very cold out. b. 'You'd better not walk across the park alone. People have been mugged there,' he said. He warned her not to walk across the park alone as people had been mugged there. Sometimes the second introductory verb can be a participle: e.g. 'Please, please, don't drink too much! Remember that you have to drive home,' she said. She begged him not to drink too much, reminding him that he 'd have to drive home.

Grammar Practice_5 I Rewrite each sentence in indirect speech beginning as shown: Model: I wouldnt cook the fish for too long, Bill, if I were you, said Jean. Jean advised Bill not to cook the fish for too long. 1. Helen, would you like to come to lunch on Sunday? said Mary.

Mary 2. Well, in the end I think Ill take the brown pair, said the customer. The customer finally 3. Me? No, I didnt take Sues calculator, said Bob. Bob denied .. 4. Dont forget to buy some milk, Andy, said Clare. Clare reminded . 5. Look, I might not be able to come on Saturday, said David. David told us 6. Why dont you go and see The Sound of Music again, Brian?, I said. I suggested . 7. No, you really must stay the night, Sophia, Ann said. Ann insisted ... 8. Make sure you dont take the A20 in the rush hour, Tim, said Jack. Jack warned 9. You are not allowed to smoke in your room, Dick, said his mother. Dicks mother

II Rewrite each sentence in indirect speech beginning as shown: 1. I wouldnt cook the fish for too long, Bill, if I were you, said Jean. Jean advised Bill not to cook the fish for too long. 2. Helen, would you like to come to lunch on Sunday? said Mary. Mary . 3. Well, in the end I think Ill take the brown pair, said the customer. The customer finally .. 4. Me? No, I didnt take Sues calculator, said Bob. Bob denied .. 5. Dont forget to buy some milk, Andy, said Clare. Clare reminded .. 6. Look, I might not be able to come on Saturday, said David. David told us .. 7. Why dont you go and see The Sound of Music again, Brian? I said. I suggested . 8. No, you really must stay the night, Sophia, Ann said. Ann insisted .. 9. Make sure you dont take the A20 in the rush hour, Tim, said Jack.

Jack warned . 10. You are not allowed to smoke in your room, Dick, said his mother. Dicks mother

III Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word in capitals, and so that the meaning stays the same. 1. He was warned by the fireman not to re-enter the house. / HIM The firemen warned him not to re-enter the house. 2. There has been a rumour that the president is ill. / IT .................................................................................................................................. 3. Sue thought it would be a good idea for me to see a doctor. / ADVISED .................................................................................................................................. 4. The minister proposed regular meetings for the committee. / MEET .................................................................................................................................. 5. The management claimed that all strikers had returned to work. / WAS .................................................................................................................................. 6. The travel agent recommended our straying near the airport. / SHOULD .................................................................................................................................. 7. There has been no report that any lives were lost. / IT .................................................................................................................................. 8. Jack demanded action from the police. / SHOULD .................................................................................................................................. 9. David supposed that we didnt want to watch television. / WANTED .................................................................................................................................. 10. My bank manager invited me to visit him at home. / COULD ..................................................................................................................................

IV Translate into English: 1. Suspectul a recunoscut c se afla n apropierea colii sptmna trecut, dar a susinut c venise s-i viziteze mtua. 2. oferii au fost atenionai c vor fi ninsori abundente la sfritul sptmnii. 3. Toi mi-au optit c nu e bine s-l las singur. 4. I-am rspuns c nu cred s mai in mult gerul.

5. Mi-a spus s nu spun niciun cuvnt, indiferent cine m-ar chema pe nume. 6. Mrturisi c i e team de ce mi s-ar putea ntmpla. 7. Ne povestea c l iubesc cu toii pentru c are o privire cald i linitit i un glas att de blnd. 8. El i rspunse c nu-i prea place s se duc n lume, c firea lui l ndeamn s stea mai mult acas. 9. L-am ntrebat de ce nu m-a sunat s-mi spun c va veni a doua zi. 10. De ce m-ai minit c de fapt nu-i place muzica clasic? Ai crezut c eti mai interesant fcnd asta? 11. Crei fete i-a spus Maria c o va ntreba unde i-a uitat fratele ei pachetul pe care l-a primit din Frana? 12. A vrut s tie ci ani are fratele prietenului ei, dac acestuia i plac foarte mult dulciurile, i bineneles a vrut s afle unde locuiete. 13. Tina m-a ntrebat ce alte filme am vzut. 14. Profesorul nu avea habar la ce m gndesc. 15. Nu tia nimeni a cui era bricheta aceea. 16. A ntrebat doctorul cnd va fi operat. 17. Cum a spus c-l cheam? 18. A recunoscut c practic nu tie de ce a venit acolo. 19. Sora mai mare a Mariei m-a ntrebat ci ani am i dac tiu s vorbesc engleza.

20. Ziceai c o s mergi cu autobuzul la gar dac nu te duce fratele tu cu maina, nu-i aa? 21. Ce spuneai c fcea cnd te-ai dus s-i napoiezi banii? 22. Secretara a ntrebat dac s-i spun s atepte. 23. Studentul a fost ntrebat dac n ara lui sunt tentative de sinucidere. 24. Mi-a rspuns c dac ceaa va deveni mai dens, vor i nevoii s lase maina acolo i s mearg pe jos acas. 25. Unde i-ai spus c locuiesc? 26. Detectivul i-a ordonat s deschid geanta. 27. Mi-a recomandat s nu am ncredere n domnul Peterson. 28. M-a ntrebat unde merg, unde locuiesc, ce mai face mama, dac am mai fost la Bucureti i dac pot s-i mprumut nite bani. 29. M-a ntrebat unde este Teatrul Naional, dac poate ajunge pe jos sau dac trebuie s ia tramvaiul. 30. M-a ntrebat dac tiu de ce e suprat. 31. M-a ntrebat ce a face dac a ctiga la loto. 32. A vrut s afle unde eram cnd a nceput ploaia. 33. Mihai a ntrebat cine vrea s mearg cu el la cinema. 34. Am fost ntrebat ce carte mi place cel mai mult.

35. Ei au vrut s tie ct a costat dicionarul pe care tocmai l-am cumprat. 36. Mi-a scris c pleac ntr-o excursie de ndat ce se vor termina cursurile. 37. Profesorul m-a ntrebat de ce am lipsit de la cursuri toat sptmna. 38. A vrut s tie dac am cltorit vreodat cu vaporul. 39. L-am ntrebat dac a avut timp s citeasc romanul i mi-a spus c abia l-a mprumutat de la bibliotec.