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Reading 10par U1

The document provides examples and explanations of how to change direct speech into reported speech, including: 1) Changing verb tenses and pronouns when reporting what someone said. 2) Leaving time references the same if reporting something said on the same day. 3) Using "asked if/whether" and changing verb tenses when reporting questions. 4) Using "told/asked to" and an infinitive when reporting imperative sentences.

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Alberto Jimenez
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98 views4 pages

Reading 10par U1

The document provides examples and explanations of how to change direct speech into reported speech, including: 1) Changing verb tenses and pronouns when reporting what someone said. 2) Leaving time references the same if reporting something said on the same day. 3) Using "asked if/whether" and changing verb tenses when reporting questions. 4) Using "told/asked to" and an infinitive when reporting imperative sentences.

Uploaded by

Alberto Jimenez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRUCTION: READ THE EXPLANATION AND AFTER ANSWER THE EXERCISE

We use reported speech when we want to tell someone what someone said. We usually use a reporting verb
(e.g. say, tell, ask, etc.) and then change the tense of what was actually said in direct speech.

So, direct speech is what someone actually says? Like 'I want to know about reported speech'?

Yes, and you report it with a reporting verb.

He said he wanted to know about reported speech.

I said, I want and you changed it to he wanted.

Exactly. Verbs in the present simple change to the past simple; the present continuous changes to the past continuous;
the present perfect changes to the past perfect; can changes to could; will changes to would; etc.

She said she was having the interview at four o’clock.


(Direct speech: 'I’m having the interview at four o’clock.')
They said they’d phone later and let me know.
(Direct speech: 'We’ll phone later and let you know.')

OK, in that last example, you changed you to me too.

Yes, apart from changing the tense of the verb, you also have to think about changing other things, like pronouns and
adverbs of time and place.

'We went yesterday.' > She said they had been the day before.
'I’ll come tomorrow.' > He said he’d come the next day.

I see, but what if you’re reporting something on the same day, like 'We went yesterday'?

Well, then you would leave the time reference as 'yesterday'. You have to use your common sense. For example, if
someone is saying something which is true now or always, you wouldn’t change the tense.

'Dogs can’t eat chocolate.' > She said that dogs can’t eat chocolate.
'My hair grows really slowly.' > He told me that his hair grows really slowly.

What about reporting questions?

We often use ask + if/whether, then change the tenses as with statements. In reported questions we don’t use question
forms after the reporting verb.

'Do you have any experience working with people?'


They asked if I had any experience working with people.
'What acting have you done?'
They asked me what acting I had done.

Is there anything else I need to know about reported speech?

One thing that sometimes causes problems is imperative sentences.


You mean like 'Sit down, please' or 'Don’t go!'?

Exactly. Sentences that start with a verb in direct speech need a to + infinitive in reported speech.

She told him to be good. (Direct speech: 'Be good!')


He told them not to forget. (Direct speech: 'Please don’t forget.')

OK. Can I also say 'He asked me to sit down'?

Yes. You could say 'He told me to …' or 'He asked me to …' depending on how it was said.

OK, I see. Are there any more reporting verbs?

Yes, there are lots of other reporting verbs like promise, remind, warn, advise, recommend, encourage which you can
choose, depending on the situation. But say, tell and ask are the most common.

Great. I understand! My teacher said reported speech was difficult.

And I told you not to worry!


READING: Reported speech – exercises
1. Check your grammar: matching
Draw a line to match the direct and indirect (reported) speech forms.

Direct speech Reported speech

1. Present simple o o a. Past perfect

2. Present continuous o o b. Past simple

3. Past simple o o c. Past continuous

4. ‘will’ o o d. ‘could’

5. ‘can’ o o e. ‘the next day’

6. ‘tomorrow’ o o f. ‘would’

2. Check your grammar: error correction


Correct and write these sentences on the line below.

1. He said her that he loved her.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. She said she knows the answer.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Ryan said had bought the tickets.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. She told me don't speak in the library.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Sara asked if had he finished.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
READING: Reported speech – exercises
6. She asked me where was my sister.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7. They asked me come back later.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
8. She asked did I spoke French.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Check your grammar: gap fill


Write the bold sentence in reported speech.

1. 'I feel ill.'


Sandra said ______________________________.

2. 'I'm going into town.'


Mark said ______________________________.

3. 'I studied music for five years.'


Alex said ______________________________.

4. 'I've been to Shanghai.'


She said ______________________________.

5. 'We can help you.'


Will said ______________________________.

6. 'It will rain on Tuesday.'


The weather forecast said ______________________________ on Tuesday.

7. 'What’s your name?'


The police officer asked me ______________________________.

8. 'Are you over eighteen?'


The teacher asked Amy ______________________________.

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