REPORTED SPEECH

2 BACHILLERATO

WHAT IS REPORTED
SPEECH?
When we report what someone else said, we are
usually reporting at a later time so we change
the tenses used by the original speaker and also
some of the time expressions.

Pg 116 students book

Example: I need to see you today, the teacher
said.

The teacher told me / said to me she needed to

see me that day

REPORTING IN THE SAME

TENSE
1. If the reporting verb (say / tell / ask) is in the
present tense, we use the same tenses as the
original speaker.

I have missed the bus so Ill be late

Amy says she has missed the bus so shell be..
2. Even if the verb is in the past, we sometimes use
the same tenses as the original speaker if the
situation is still true
I have 3 sisters- Robert said he has / had 3
sisters

VERBS USED FOR

REPORTING

SAY (SPECIALLY TO REPORT STATEMENTS)

If there is an object,say must be followed by to

He said to me that he was going to win

TELL (STATEMENTS AND COMMANDS)

it is always followed by an object without to
He told them that he was going to win

We often use other reporting verbs instead of say and tell.

He mentioned that he was going to win
He promised to win

REPORTED COMMANDS/
ORDERS
LISTEN TO YOUR CLASSMATES! (imperative)
The teacher told/ ordered / asked / begged /
warned the students to listen to their
classmates.

DONT LEAVE THE CLASS UNTIL 11

The teacher told/ ordered / asked/ begged /
warned the students not to leave the class..

Beg/ Order / warn / advice /

remind / agree / order / Tell
Complete pages 3 and 4 for Monday
Do not leave your luggage unattended at the airport
Dont leave everything for the day before the exam
Ok, I will come with you
The books should be returned to the library by
Monday

Please, do not leave your trainers in the livingroom

REPORTED QUESTIONS
WITH INTERROGATIVE PRONOUND
What did you see after the earthquake?
I asked the girl what she saw/ had seen after the
.

WITHOUT INTERROGATIVE PRONOUN

Do you know if the teacher is coming today?
The students wanted to know / wondered if the
teacher was coming that day

REPORTING VERBS WITH

OTHER STRUCTURES
Making suggestions and recommendations
You should come with me to the party, he suggested.

1. He suggested/ recommened that I come with him to the party.

2. He suggested/ recommended coming with him to the party.
ADMIT AND DENY + gerund (also that + clause)
I didnt steal the money from the safe The thief said
The thief denied stealing / having stolen the money from the safe
* Past tense of admit = admitted

REPORTING VERBS WITH

OTHER STRUCTURES
*PROMISE / AGREE / REFUSE + TO INFINITIVE
I will send you the document tonight John said.
John promised to send me the document that night.
I dont want to answer that question the actor said.
The actor refused to answer that question.

ADVICE / REMIND / WARN + OBJECT + TO INFINITIVE.

Please, do not go outside without your jacketmum said.
Mum reminded / adviced the child not to go outside without his..