Reported Speech

When we want to say what another person has said, we usually don't use their original words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. In the course of this class, you will learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The reported structure is different, depending on whether we are reporting a statement, a question or a request. Statements When reporting statements, be aware that you might have to change: pronouns present tense verbs place and time expressions tenses (backshift) Type direct speech reported speech (no backshift) reported speech (backshift) Questions When reporting questions, be aware that you might have to change: pronouns present tense verbs place and time expressions tenses (backshift) Example He said, "I speak English." He says that he speaks English. He said that he spoke English.

Also, you will have to use if or whether. Type with a question word yes / no question Requests When reporting requests, be aware that you might have to change: pronouns time and place expressions Type direct speech reported speech Modals If using backshift, you also have to change modal verbs: can could have to had to may might might might should should will would must had to could could Example He said, "Carol, speak English." He told Carol to speak English. direct speech reported speech direct speech reported speech Example She asked me, "Why don't you speak English?" She asked me why I didn't speak English. She asked me, "Do you speak English?" She asked me if/whether I spoke English.

STATEMENTS Tom: I'm fine. He says that Tom: The weather here is great. He says that Tom: My host family is very nice. He says that Tom: I have my own room. He says that Tom: We have a national park here. He says that Tom: We went there yesterday. He says that Tom: It was great. He says that Tom: I'd love to go there again. He says that Tom: The teachers at my school are very nice. He says that Tom: My English has improved. He says that They said, "This is our book." They said She said, "I went to the cinema yesterday." She said He said, "I am writing a test tomorrow." He said You said, "I will do this for him." You said She said, "I am not hungry now." She said They said, "We have never been here before." They said They said, "We were in London last week." They said He said, "I will have finished this paper by tomorrow." He said He said, "They won't sleep." He said She said, "It is very quiet here." She said Emily: "Our teacher will go to Leipzig tomorrow." Emily said that Helen: "I was writing a letter yesterday." Helen told me that Robert: "My father flew to Dallas last year." Robert told me that Lisa: "Tim went to the stadium an hour ago." Lisa said that Patricia: "My mother will celebrate her birthday next weekend." Patricia said that Michael: "I am going to read a book this week." Michael said to me that Jason and Victoria: "We will do our best in the exams tomorrow." Jason and Victoria told me that Andrew: "We didn't eat fish two days ago." Andrew remarked that Alice: "I spent all my pocket money on Monday." Alice complained that David: "John had already gone at six." David said that

QUESTIONS Christopher: "Do you want to dance?" Christopher asked me Betty: "When did you come?" Betty wanted to know Mark: "Has John arrived?" Mark asked me Ronald: "Where does Maria park her car?" Ronald asked me Elisabeth: "Did you watch the latest film?" Elisabeth asked me Mandy: "Can I help you?" Mandy wanted to know Andrew: "Will Mandy have lunch with Sue?" Andrew asked me Justin: "What are you doing?" Justin asked me Frank: "How much pocket money does Lisa get?" Frank wanted to know Anne: "Must I do the shopping?" Anne asked AFFIRMATIVE REQUESTS Andrew: "Clean the blue bike!" Andrew told me Jessica: "Write a text message!" Jessica told me Nelly: "Help Peter's sister!" Nelly told me Fred: "Wash your hands!" Fred told me Anna: "Open the window!" Anna told me Tom: "Come at 8!" Tom told me Teacher: "Do your homework!" The teacher told me Doris: "Dance with me!" Doris told me Sabine: "Meet Sandy at the station!" Sabine told me Victoria: "Check your e-mails!" Victoria told me NEGATIVE REQUESTS Karen: "Don't play football in the garden!" Karen told me Teacher: "Don't forget your homework!" The teacher reminded me Mike: "Don't shout at Peter!" Mike told me Yvonne: "Don't talk to your neighbour!" Yvonne told me Denise: "Don't open the door!" Denise told me Marcel: "Don't sing that song!" Marcel reminded me Jane: "Don't watch the new film!" Jane advised me Walter: "Don't ring Romy on Sunday!" Walter told me Lisa: "Don't fly via Paris!" Lisa advised me Jamie: "Don't eat so much junk food!" Jamie reminded me