Reported Speech: INTRODUCTORY VERBS
Introductory verbs and how they are used
A) Subject + introductory verb + to + infinitive
accepted
I
offered
dance
He
promised
to
help
They
refused
call
threatened
B) Subject + introductory verb + object + to + infinitive
asked
advised
I
begged
her
to
come
You
ordered
him to
leave
told
persuaded
urged
C) assured somebody that…
We
assured him that it was the best falt he could buy.
She assured them that they had chosen the best painting in our art gallery.
D) admit
deny
doing something
suggest
recommend
E) Subject +
He
suggested
Recommended
suggested
recommended
F) agreed
complained
explained
+ that + object + (should) infinitive
that I should go on a holiday.
that all children should be immunized against measles.
that…
He agreed that the economy was getting better
She complained that her brother never left her alone.
The teacher explained that the exam results would be announced the following day.
G) accuse somebody of doing something
Jill accused me of revealing her secret
H) apologize (to somebody) for doing something.
Terry apologized to sue for breaking her heart.
Transfer the dialogue below into reported speech
Annie:
Bert:
Annie:
Bert:
Annie:
Bert:
Annie:
Bert:
Annie:
Bert:
You really must do something about your hair, Bert.
But I like having long hair – it just suits me.
Well, I think it looks ridiculous like that
No, it doesn’t. It looks very …er…vey attractive.
Huh! Long hair hasn’t been in fashion for years for men.
I don’t care about fashion. What matters is whether I look nice or not.
Well, quite frankly, you don’t. You look awful, especially now that you are
starting to go bold
Look, I’m not going bald! I just haven’t got as much hair as I used to.
You are afraid to go a hairdresser’s for ages, but…
A) Change the following sentences into reported speech. Try to
use introductory verbs where necessary.
1. “Do not smoke in no-smoking areas or in the toilets,” the flight assistant said to the
passengers
2. He asked me, “What time is it?”
3. Alan asked the doctor, “How can I lose weight?”
4. “Sally, would you like to go out for a change tonight?” said Kevin.
5. “John is late,” said Kevin.
6. He said, “Please, close the door.”
7. “You should go to a doctor,” he said to me.
8. “Don’t forget to go to the bank,” my mother said to me.
9. “I am dissatisfied with the service,” he said to the manager.
10. “You’d better see a doctor,” I said.
B) Complete the following text with the correct words
Once, when I was a teenager, I went to a party at my Aunt Mary’s house. Mary collected
pottery, and as soon as I got there, she _____________ (said/ told) me, she _____________
(wants/ wanted) to show me _____________ (my/ her) new bowl. She _____________
(said/told) she _____________ (has/ had) just bought it. It was beautiful, and after I heard the
price, I knew why. When Mary went to answer the door, I picked up the bowl. It slipped from
my hands and smashed into pieces on the floor. As Mary walked back into the room, I
screamed and _____________ (said/ told) that the cat _____________ (have/ had) just
broken _____________ (her/ your) new bowl. Mary got this funny look on her face and
_____________ (said/ told) me that it _____________ (isn’t/ wasn’t) important. I didn’t sleep
at all night, and the next morning. I called my aunt and _____________ (said/ told) her that I
_____________ (broke/ had broken) _____________ (her/ your) bowl. She said
_____________ (I/ she) had known that all along. We still laugh about the story today. When
we talk about it, Mary always reminds me that people _____________ (are/ were) more
important than things.
C) Change the following from reported to direct speech
1. The local weather forecast said that it was going to be a terrible storm.
2. She said the winds might reach 170 miles/ hour.
3. She said there would be rain the next day.
4. She told people that they should try to leave the area.
5. She reported that people were leaving the coastal towns.
6. She said that they could expect a lot of damage.
7. She said that Andrew was the worst hurricane they had had there.
8. She told them that the Red Cross had arrived the day before.
9. She reported that the president would be there to inspect the damage.
10. She said that if they hadn’t had time to get prepared, the danger would have been even
greater.
11. Jack asked me whether I was having lunch.
12. John asked us if we often went skiing.
13. Carol asked me how many English book I had read.
14. Kate asked Ann what she had done the day before.
15. Alice asked me whom I sat next to in class.
16. Mary asked me where exactly I lived.