reported speech
TRANSCRIPT
WHAT IS THE REPORTED
SPEECH?
If we report what another person has
said, we usually do not use the speaker’s
exact words (direct speech), but reported
(indirect) speech
Therefore, we need to learn how
to transform direct speech into
reported speech.The structure is a little different depending on
whether you
want to transform:
A statement: “I AM TIRED TODAY”
A question: “WHAT DID SHE SAY?”
A command: “LISTEN TO ME NOW!
A suggestion: “WHAT ABOUT GOING TO THE
PARK?
Or other expressions.
STATEMENTS:When transforming statements,
we have to change:
Pronouns
Verb tenses
Place and time expressions
EXAMPLES:
WH-QUESTION YES / NO
QUESTIONS
“WHERE DID YOU
GO YESTERDAY?”
HE SAID
“DID YOU GO TO
THE CINEMA
YESTERDAY?” HE
SAID
HE ASKED WHERE
I HAD GONE THE
DAY BEFORE
HE ASKED IF I
HAD GONE TO
THE CINEMA THE
DAY BEFORE
SUGGESTIONS
WE CAN REPORT THE SUGGESTION
IN TWO DIFFERENT WAYS:
• He suggested going to the flea market
• He suggested that we should go to the
flea market
SAY AND TELLSAY TELL
HE SAID TO ME THAT
HE SAID THAT
HE TOLD ME THAT
HE TOLD ME TO
HE TOLD ME NOT TO
EXERCISES: STATEMENTS I have something to show you, I am building a model boat ' I said
to her.
'I'm going away tomorrow, mother,' he said.
'It won't be so foggy today as it was yesterday,' I remarked.
'We have a lift here but very often it doesn't work,' they said.
'I've no idea what the time is but I'll dial 8081 and find out,' said his daughter.
He said, 'My wife has just been made a judge, she may get double her pay now”
'I have a German lesson this afternoon and I haven't done my homework yet,the teacher may get angry' said the small boy.
'If you let the iron get too hot you are going to scorch your clothes,' I warned her.
“You haven't given me quite enough. You must give me another twenty note. The bill is for £113 and you have only given me £93,' he pointed out.
Ann said, “I was watching TV last night when the lights suddenly went off, my husband thought that we had been hit by lightning”.
EXERCISES: QUESTIONS
Christopher: "When did you come here?" "Do you
want to dance?"
Betty: "How much pocket money must Lisa get
now?"
Ronald: "Where does Maria park her car?"
Andrew: "Will Mandy have lunch with Sue?"
Justin: "What are you doing?" “Have you done
the shopping this morning?”
Peter: “Did he write an email in this laptop last
week?”
John: What were you doing here this morning?”
EXERCISES: COMMANDS AND
SUGGESTIONS “Don't listen to a word he says and come here quick!”
he said.
“Boys, stay away from the dog when he is eating”, the mother said.
“Carla, don't pick your nose in class, it is not polite”, the teacher said.
“Look after your sister”, my father said
“Help me clean up the kitchen today and I'll give you some cash” she said.
“Why don’t we sleep inside the tent tonight?” she said
“Shall we study in the library now?”
“Don’t bother me. Why don’t you go to your room and play computer games?” he said
“What about having dinner in a restaurant today?”
EXERCISES ON SPECIAL
CASES "It was you who ate my chocolate, Elvira, wasn't it?"
"OK, it was me. I ate your chocolate“
"Yes, you're right, it's a terrible problem.“
“Well, if I were you I'd start saving for my retirement.“
"I'm sorry I am late.“
"Well done! I knew you'd pass your driving test this time."
"Would you like to come to our house for dinner on Friday?
“Thank you!”
“Happy birthday!”
“I will not be late!”
“Shall I open the window, it is very hot in here!”
“You’ll get cancer if you smoke!”
“No, I did not take the money!”