REPORTED SPEECH BY JENNY
CASTELBLANCO
QUESTIONS, COMMANDS AND REQUESTS
REPORTING QUESTIONS
There are two main types of questions:
information questions (wh-questions) and yes-no
questions. To report them, we use the verb “ask”.
WH- QUESTIONS
He/She/They asked (me) what/where/who…
Or:
YES/NO QUESTIONS
He/She/They asked (me) if/whether...
Wh- questions
• To report Wh- questions, write the wh- word after “ask”.
• Then, report using the affirmative structure.
• Make the necessary changes in tenses, pronouns, possessive forms, etc.
Subject + asked (someone) + what/where/when/how/why/who/which + subject +
verb + complement
Direct speech: Why do you want to work for us? (present simple/interrogative)
Indirect/Reported speech:
• The interviewer asked James why he wanted to work for them.
• She asked him why he wanted to work for them. (past simple /affirmative)
Yes-No questions
• To report Yes-No questions, write if/whether after “ask”.
• Then, report using the affirmative structure.
• Make the necessary changes in tenses, pronouns, possessive forms, etc.
Subject + asked (someone) + if/whether + subject + verb + complement
Direct speech: Did you check our exams, teacher? (past simple/interrogative)
Indirect/Reported speech:
• The children asked their teacher whether she had checked their exams.
• They asked her if she had checked their exam. (past perfect/affirmative)
Examples
Direct speech Reported speech
1. “Are you ready to order?” 1. The waiter asked (us) if we were ready to order.
2. “Does your sister live around?” 2. He asked me if my sister lived around.
3. “Did you enjoy the show?” 3. She asked me if I had enjoyed the show.
4. “Why haven't you done your 4. The teacher asked her students why they
homework?” hadn’t done their homework.
5. “Will you come with me?” 5. He asked me whether I would go with him.
6. “Guys, where are you going to study?” 6. She asked us where we were going to study.
7. “Can you child eat candies” 7. He asked whether my child could eat candies.
8. “What time must I be here” 8. He asked what time he had to be there.
Other verbs to report
questions
There are other verbs/expressions that
you can use to make indirect questions:
wonder, want to know, would like to know.
• Where did you leave your book?
She wanted to know where I had left my book.
• Will I pass this course?
He wondered if he would pass that course.
She asked me if I would go He asked me when his He asked what time the
with her. sister was going to go movie started.
back to England.
She asked him if he could He asked him if he had seen
She asked me if I had remembered
to pay the electricity bill. take care of her kids that day. an oasis over there.
COMMANDS AND REQUESTS
WHAT IS A COMMAND?
It is an instruction or order. This is usually an imperative
sentence.
– Sit!
– Don’t use your phones in class.
WHAT IS A REQUEST?
A request is a petition. In other words, it is when you politely ask someone to do
something for you (a favor). It is less strong than a command.
– Could you open the door, please?
– Would you mind lending me your keyboard?
– Will you help me, please?
Reporting a command
• To report a command use “tell” + infinitive.
• Make the necessary changes in tenses, pronouns, possessive forms, etc.
Subject + told (someone) + (not) to verb + complement
Direct speech: Turn right.
Indirect/Reported speech: Siri told me to turn right.
Direct speech: Don’t stop me now!
Indirect/Reported speech: Freddy Mercury told me not to stop him at that moment.
Reporting a request
• To report a command use “ask” + infinitive.
• Make the necessary changes in tenses, pronouns, possessive forms, etc.
Subject + asked (someone) + (not) to verb + complement
Direct speech: Could you please turn on the lights?
Indirect/Reported speech: Mom asked me to turn on the lights.
Direct speech: Please, don’t tell my secret to anyone!
Indirect/Reported speech: He asked me not to tell his secret to anyone.
Other verbs to report
commands and requests
Commands: order, command, demand,
warn (negative).
Requests: beg, implore, urge.
• Stay away from me!
She ordered him to away from her!
• Please, don’t forget the money for tomorrow.
He begged me not to forget the money for the
next day.
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speech-exercise-3.html
PRACTICE
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speech-exercise-3.html
