Study this example situation: im eeing HL ‘You want to tell somebody what Paul said. There are two ways of doing this: You can repeat Paul's words (direct speech): Paul said, ‘I'm feeling ill” rave Or you can use reported speech: Paul said that he was feeling ill. ‘Compare: SS direct Paul said, b “am feeling ill” In writing we use these quotation marks to show direct speech, “was feeling ill. ‘When we use reported speech, the main verb of the sentence is usually past (Paul said that ... Told her that... etc.) The rest of the sentence is usually past too: 1 Paul said that he was feeling ill. 1 Ttold Lisa that I didn't have any money. You can leave out that. So you can say: @ Paul said that he was feeling ill. or Paul said he was feeling ill. In general, the present form in direct speech changes to the past form in reported speech: am/is —> was doldoes > did will + would are > were hhavethas — had can > could wantlike/lnowlgo etc. > wanted/liked/knew/went etc. Compare direct speech and reported speech: reported Paul said that You met Jenny. Here are some of the Later you tell somebody what Jenny said. things she said in direct speech: You use reported speech: 1D Jenny said thar her parents were very well. © She said that she was going to learn “My parents are very well.’ ‘Ym going to learn to drive.” to drive. ‘y © She said that she wanted ro buy a car © She said that John had a new job. JENNY © She said that she couldn't come to the party on Friday, 7 She caid she didn’ have much free © She said thar she was going away for a few days and would phone me when she got back Lwant to buy a car” ‘John has a new job.” “Tcan’t come to the party on Friday,” Ldlon't have much free time* ‘I'm going away for a few days. I'll phone you when I get back.” “The past simple (did/saw/lanew ete.) can usually stay the same in reported speech, oF you can change it to the past perfect (had done / had seen / had known etc.) direct Paul said: I woke up feeling ill, so I didn’t go to work.” reported Paul said (that) he woke up feeling ill, so he didn’t go to work. or Paul said (that) he had woken up feeling ill, so he hadn’t gone to work. Reported speech 2» Unit 48 Reported questions -» Unit 508Exercises Unit 47 47.1. Yesterday you met a friend of yours, Steve. You hadn't seen him for a tong time. Here are some of the things Steve said to you: 1 Ta Wg una 7 inner ne i — AN fo cig prarqem 3 Rachel and Mak are getting —_ FEF. _- ——~ 9. You can come and sta at my pace married next month. if you're ever in London ag Steve a ee) Ye My car was stolen a few days ago. 5 don't know what ~ 11. | want to go on holiday, but | Frank is doing can't afford it 6 saw Helen at a party in 12. Hil tell Chris saw you June and she seemed fine. Later that day you tell another friend what Steve said. Use reported speech. 1 Steve. said that he was living in London 2 He said that ... 47.2 Somebody says something to you whieh is the opposite of what they said earlier. Complete the answers. ‘Thar restaurant is expensive. Is it? I thought you said ...t.was. cheap. 7 : Sue is coming to the party tonight. Is she? I thought you said she —seem--henen—-ninian-nnnnn Sarah likes Paul 8: Does she? Last week you said — 0. 4 a: [know lots of people. B: Do you? I thought you said .ownsnm—e 5 A: Jane will be here next week. ‘Will she? Bue didn’s you say Pm going out this evening. Are you? But you said ean speak a little French, 8: Can you? But earlier you said —.. : Thaven't been to the cinema for ages. 3. Haven't you? I thought you said = Additional exercise 25 (page 316) 95It is not always necessary to change the verb in reported speceh. If you report something and the situation hasn't changed, you do not need to change the verb to the past: O direct Paul said, ‘My new job is very interesting.” reported Paul said that his new job is very interesting. (The situation hasn't changed. His job is still interesting.) © direct Helen said, ‘I want to go to New York next year.” reported Helen told me that she wants to go to New York next year. (Helen still wants to go to New York next year.) You can also change the verb to the past: © Paul said that his new job was very interesting. © Helen cold me that she wanted to go'to New York next year. But if you are reporting a finished situation, you must use a past verb: 1 Paul left the room suddenly. He said he had to go. (nit has to go) You need to use a past form when there isa difference nena hens beeween what was said and what is really true. For example: 6. Jo iin hospital, ‘You met Suna a few days ago. wai a ~ She said: ‘Joe is in hospital.’ (direct speech) Later that day you meet Joe in the street. You say: ‘I didn’t expect to see you, Joe. Sonia said you were in hospital.” Sonia said you were in hospital, (not ‘Sonia said you are in hospital’, because clearly he is not) ANE 7G on Say and tell If you say who somebody is talking to, use tell: TELL SOMEBODY 1 Sonia told me that you were in hospital. (not Sonia said me) © What did you tell the police? (ot say the police) Otherwise use say: SAY SOMEBODY ‘0 Sonia said that you were in hospital. (rot Sonia told that...) 4 Whar did you say? But you can ‘say something to somebody”: © Ann said goodbye to me and left. (wot Ann said me goodbye) 1G Whar did you say to the police? BY} Tetvask somebody to do something ‘We also use the infinitive (to do / to stay etc.) in reported speech, especially with tell and ask (for orders and requests): direct “Seay in bed for a few days,” dhe dowior said w ne. reported The doctor told me to stay in bed for a few days. direct — ‘Don't shout,’ I said to Jim. reported {told Jim not to shout. D direct ‘Please don't tell anybody what happened,’ Jackie said to me. reported Jackie asked me not to tell anybody what (had) happened. You can also say ‘Somebody said (not) to do something’: © Jackie said not to tell anyone. (but not Jackie said me) Reported speech > Unit 47 Reported questions — Unit 508Exercises 48.1 Here are some things that Sarah said to you: Unit 48 Greer ai) But later Sarah says something different to you. What do you say? Sarah Dave works very hard Ler’s have fish for dinner. 'm going to buy a car. Jane is always shore of mone: My sister lives in Paris, I think New York is a great place Let's go out tomorrow evening. Tve never spoken to Jane 48.2 Complete the sentences with say or tell (in thie correct form). Use only one word each time. 1 Ann 84... goodbye to me and left. 2 us about your holiday. Did you have a nice time? 3 Don’t just stand there! something! 4 Lwonder where Sue is. She she would be here at 8 o'clock 5 Dan ‘me that he was bored with his job. 6 The doctor that I should rest for at least a week. 7 Don't anybody what | vows « HS. Secret just between us 8 “Did she... you what happened?" "No, she didn's anything ro me.” 9 Gary couldn't help me. He me to ask Caroline. 10 Gary couldn't help me. He to ask Caroline, 48.3 The following sentences are direct speech: Se) Cero) Cairne) (Pe ton dv Cryer to RT) outst a none?) (Horeropt) (wit you marry me?) (Ga you think you could give me a hand, Tom? ) Now choose one of these to complete each of the sentences below. Use reported speech. Bill was taking a long time to get ready, so 1 told. him 40, hurry 6p Sarah was driving too fast, so I asked .. Sue was nervous about the situation. I tld oneness couldn't move the piano alomey $0 breve nsenennnnennnen ‘The customs officer looked at me suspiciously and o.oo ‘Tom was going t0 the shop, 30 V omm-nnnmenmnminn ‘The man started asking me personal questions, 50 T sn. 8 John was very much in love with Mary, so he 9 Ididn'e wane to delay Helen, 30 1 _ - . > Additional exercise 25 (page 316) 97