Reported Speech
Introductory Verbs
Agree, advise, accuse smb. of, claim, ask, admit (to), demand, beg, apologize for, offer, command,
boast about \ of, promise, encourage, complain (to smb.) of, refuse, forbid, deny, threaten, invite, insist
on, order, suggest, remind, warn, complain, add, answer, declare, explain, reply, remark, assure, decide,
state, announce, regret, suppose, think, inquire, wonder…
Remain unchanged:
1. Subjunctives
“I should be discharged if I were seen speaking to you.” – She said that she would be discharged if
she were seen speaking to him.
“I wish I were taller” – he said he wished he were taller.
2. Must, should in suppositions
She said to him, “You must be more careful.” – She told him that he must be more careful.
In case of necessity, MUST HAVE TO  HAD TO
She said, “I must get up early every morning.” – She said she had to get up early every morning.
3. If the object clause expresses a general truth.
The pupils knew that water consists of oxygen and hydrogen.
4. If something is represented as habitual, customary or characterisic.
He asked the guide what time the train usually starts.
5. Past simple if exact time (date) is mentioned.
She said, “We met on March, 5” – She said that they met on March, 5
My friend said, “I had left before telegram came” – My friend said that he had left before telegram
came.
I was born in 1985. - He said he was born in 1985.
6. Past simple after SINCE.
She said, “I’ve been writing since she came” – She said she had been writing since she came.
7.You may change or not if smth you report is still true.
She said, “New York is a big city.” – She said New York is (was) a big city.
Special Cases
1. SO, SUCH  VERY, Exceedingly (in exclamatory ss)
She said, “Jane plays the piano so well!” – She said Jane played the piano very well.
She said, “Jane is such a good pianist!” – She said Jane was an exceedingly (very) good pianist.
2. Alternative questions
He asked, “Does he study or work?” – He asked whether he studied or worked.
3. Statements (using other reporting verbs)
He said to me,” I hope you remember that there will be a meeting tonight.” – He reminded me that
there would be a meeting that night.
He said, “The text is very difficult.” – He remarked that the text was rather difficult.
He said, “I spoke to her.” – He admitted that he had spoken to her – He admitted having spoken to
her.
He said, “I never spoke to her.” – He denied that he had spoken to her (having spoken to her).
The child said to his mother, “I’ll never disobey you again” – The child promised his mother never
to disobey her again.
She said to them, “I’ll certainly come in time.” – She assured them that she would come in time.
4.Requests and Orders
When the speaker is not known or unimportant the reporting verb is used in
the Passive Voice. The person addressed is understood from the situation.
"Fasten the seat belts."' (to the passengers).-Passengers are requested to
fasten the seat belts.
"Do not feed the animals", (to visitors in a Zoo).-Visitors are
required
not to feed the animals.
5. Suggestions, Offers, Advice.
"Let’s have our class meeting on Friday", said the pupils.-The pupils
suggested (that) they (should) have their class meeting on Friday.
"Let me help you to carry your bag", said Nick, - Nick offered to carry my
bag.
Shall I post your letters, Granny?" Mila said.-“Do please”, said Granny. (No,
don’t trouble.) - Mila offered her granny to post her letters. (Mila offered to
post her granny’s letters) – She accepted the offer – she declined the offer = she
refused.
!!!“You had better take a taxi, you may be late” – He advised them to take a
taxi or they might be late.
“Don’t leave your car unlocked”, - He warned me not to leave my car unlocked.
“You can use my flat while I’m away,” – He allowed me to use his flat while he
was away.
EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES AND CONVERSATI0NAL
FORMULAS
Oh dear! Damn! Oh! Oh Lord! Goodness!'... - He sighed (cursed, gasped, screamed).
Or
- He made an exclamation of surprise (protest, pity, joy, amazement, bewilderment...)
"Bravo! Splendid!' cried the audience in delight. - The audience applauded with delight.
What a lovely day.'- She remarked what a lovely day it was.
Oh dear! I've torn my dress.'- She sighed that she had torn her dress.
"Cyril, meet my friend Brian." - Alice introduced her friend to Cyril.
'Good morning, darling.' - Mother wished good morning to me. (Mother greeted me.)
'Many Happy returns of the day.'" - N. greeted M. on his birthday. (N. congratulated.)
"Excuse my ringing you at such an hour"- M. apologized to N. for ringing so late.
‘Alas! I’ll never be happy again! – She exclaimed in despair she would never be
happy again.
How pleasant! Jane is coming! - She cried joyfully (with joy) that Jane was coming.
I’m so sorry! Jane is leaving us. – She sighed sadly that Jane was leaving them.
I beg your pardon; I’ve forgotten to bring you the book. - She begged his pardon
for having forgotten to bring the book.
Thank you for your help. – She thanked him for his help.
How do you do? – She greeted him.
Happy to see you! – She welcomed him.
Good-bye! – She bade him good-bye.
Good night! – She wished him good night.
Merry Christmas! – She wished him Merry Christmas.
EXERCISES ON REPORTED SPEECH:
1.
Report the following sentences:
1. “Good afternoon!” she said, “You are welcome, Jane”- “Thank you, ”she
said.
2. “Can I help you with your luggage?” Lenny asked.- “Thank you, I should
be very obliged.”
3. “You are welcome! Glad to see you, Mr. Flint,” said Barbara.
4. “Oh, Dick!” she said, “I am so glad you have come!”
5. “Mary! Forgive me!” Arthur said.
6. “I beg your pardon, sir,” said Mr. Pickwick “I am very sorry to disturb the
other gentlemen, but I come on very particular business.”
7. “Why does she wear hats like this?” Denny said
8. Jill said, “I was very busy last night”.
9. She said to Jack, “You must be very careful.”
10.Marry said to her friends, “I’ll never be happy again.”
11.Mother said to the guests, “Jane plays the piano so well.”
12. She said, “Why, I never expected he would do such a thing.”
13.The officer said to his soldiers, “Stop!”
14.Charles asked his friend, “Where are you going and where are your
friends?”
15.I asked her, “Will you go for a voyage round the world?”
16.“Excuse me for interrupting you, “the doctor said.
17.She said, “What will you get if you go there?”
18.He said to him, “Shall I fetch you a glass of water?”
19.Jane said to Ann, “You must be very fond of music if you go to concerts so
often.”
20. “Pay when you get on” (to the passengers)
Report the following requests and commands. Use Tell and ASK.
I. "Do the exercise again, "said the teacher to me.
2. The teacher said. "Pete pick up the papers, will you?"
3. The teacher said, "Please, don't shut the window, will you?"
4. Mother said, "Cyril, behave yourself.'"
5. Mother said, "Bob, go and wash your hands.'"
6. Ann said, "Alice, don’t interrupt grown -ups"
7. "Please, don't sit on my chair, move on, 'I said to the woman.
Report the requests. Use TELL, ASK, ADVISE, INVITE. Imagine people
speaking.
I. Stay in bed for a couple of days. 2. Take two pills at a time twice a
day 3. Don't eat too much sugar and bread. 4. Sit straight. 5. Keep silent,
please. 6. Show the river Volga on the map.7. Ring me up tonight, will you?
8. Come and have tea with us. 9. Please, don't forget to clean the room. 10.
Don't waste you time. Don’t be late for the swimming competition. 11.
Count off.
2.
Use Indirect Speech and the verbs ASK, REQUIRE, ADVISE, and WARN
I. Do not miss lectures (to students). 2. Keep off the grass (to vis itors).
3. Cross the road at the zebra crossing ( t o pedestrians). 4. Do not
speak in the reading hall ( t o readers). 5. Don’t come to the gym in walking
shoes (t o pupils). 6. Return books to the library in time (to pupils). 7. Look
in both directions before crossing the road ( t o pedestrians). 8. Address
your letters to the TV studio (to TV viewers) 9. Do not tease the animals (to
visitors)
Report the sentences. Use INVITE, RECOMMEND, WARN
I. "Consult the time -table, "said the office worker. 2. The lab assistant
said. "Take off your coats and. hats and begin to work" 3. "Please, ask
question the speaker said to the audience. 4."Don't stay in the way of
the traffic", said the policeman. 5."Take off your coats and come in,”
said the hostess. 6."Visit your mother this Sunday,” said Ann. 7."Send
your son to a camp," said the doctor. 8."Don’t go skating on such
thin. Ice," said the Instructor 9. "Yоu better leave now', said the boy’s
mother. 10. "Put on warm sweaters before and after the game," said the
instructor.
Report the suggestions and offers
I. " L e t ' s subscribe to MOSCOW NEWS," said the teacher. 2."Let’s
begin the meeting," said the chairman. 3."Let' better go by air,
boys." said Cyril. 4."You should invite all your friends, Alice" ,
said mother. 5."Let me help you, Mary, "said Tina. 6. "Shall I carry
this bag for you, АNN?" said Bob. 7.''Shall I sit with you, baby?" said
granny.
Report the sentences. Use: agreed, insisted, exclaimed, whispered,
apologized, admitted, claimed, suggested, protested, and boasted.
1. I can speak four languages easily," he said. 2.''Let's go to the movies tonight, "he said. 3.If you cannot do it for me today, you must do
it tomorrow", she said. 4."Well, yes. I f you insist, we shall stay here
for a couple of days," she said. 5. ''Well, yes, you are right after all, "he
said. 6"This teacher has given, me the wrong mark. I know this subject
very well, " said the student. 7. "Sh-sh-sh . Stop talking, you are being
impolite to the lecturer, "she said 3."I haven't broken the traffic rules,
You cannot take my license. I know my rights, "the driver said. 9."Stop
that noise in here!" he said. I0. "I'm sorry, I ' m late for class," he said.
12. "It is a surprise to meet you here today», he said.
3.
Report the sentences using the words: complain, regret, announce,
assure, admit, affirm,
.
1. The woman said, "There are no lights in the rooms, all the windows are
broken 2. The boy said,” MY work is so hard, so tiring." 3. The girl said,"
We are so exhausted, we can’t walk any further." 4. He said, "I’m quite
unable to repay you the money. I ’ m s o sorry." 5. The woman said, " I ’ m
s o sоrrу, 1 can’t give you a nice CUP OF tea." 6.The girl said, "What a
pity I won’t be able to see you off, I'd rather to 7.The chairman said,
"The meeting will continue until all the problems have been solved." 8.
The secretary said, "I don’t intend to change the time-table".9. The man
said, "People don’t generally fish in this river -. 10. He said," This river
freezes in winter." II. The woman said to me, "l assure you, that the
last bus leaves in five minutes and the trams stop running too. 12. The
boy said, "l listen to the radio every day." I3.I said, he who always thinks
well, does well." 14. I said, "I’m not in the habit of telling 1ies."
Report the exclamatory sentences:
I. "Good morning," she said, "How's your mother today?" 2. "Goodness
gracious." Who has shoveled the snow?" 3. "Oh! Why do you always tread
on my feet?" she said. 4. "Oh! How bored I am! Is there nothing else to
do?" she said. 5."Oh dear. I t ’ s r a i n i n g again!" she said. 6. "Damn. I ’ v e
t w i s t e d my thumber," she said. 7. "Bravo! Splendid!" cried the audience.
8. "Oh, she said, ‘that’s you, Tom". 9. "What lovely cakes these are! Marvelous!" she said. I0. "What exquisite roses! “she said. II. "But I am
tired and hungry and want to sleep." the boy said. 12. “Eightpence", exclaimed the old lady. "Oh dear!" Things are getting so expensive”.
13."Platform I3! Cried the old lady. "Oh dear! I never travel on trains
that leave from platform 13! I t ' s an unlucky number.” 14. "My word! You’re
strong,” said Margie, as Brian lifted the heavy suitcase. 15. “Good Heavens.!" cried Bill to mother. "You'll drive me mad.!" 16."0h, Larry, how
dull you are!" said Nога. 17."Nonsense!" Roderick said to me. Complete rubbish! Bosh!" 18."No classes today. Hurrah!” Shouted the boys. "Hush,
hush." Said one of the girls. 19. "Taxi! Taxi!” shouted Mary, waving her
hand. 20. "What a beautiful .girl!”she said.21."Hi, Helen" shouted Dick.
"Hello, Dick, "she answered. 22. "Oh, how disappointing. How really very
sad.!" said Nina hearing the news. 23. Kate: "Meet my friend, Larry. Her
name's Rita." Larry: "How do you do.' Glad to meet you. "Rita
"How do you do.! Me too." 24. "Look!" said Alex, "how beautiful the mountains are. And the sea is gorgeous." 25. "It can’t be the truth! No. I cannot
believe what you are saying, Ned!" exclaimed Philip. 26. "My god! I never."
Exclaimed Terence. 27."0uch," cried Larry as he bumped into the wall
in the darkness.