REPORTED SPEECH
• Direct and Indirect speech to tell somebody what somebody said
• Direct: Paul said „I am feeling ill”.
• Indirect: Paul said that he was feeling ill.
• We usually use past (He said, He told) – change the tenses!!! → next
slide
• Exception: if the situation is still the same (optional) or present to
present
• That – you can leave out
• SAY and TELL
• tell somebody something
• say something to somebody
• Tell/ask somebody to do something
• We use TO and infinitive form
• Change the references to time, place etc.
REPORTED SPEECH – Tense changes
REPORTED SPEECH – Other verbs
• Answer – nearly always followed be that
• Reply – nearly always followed be that
• Remind – behave like tell
• Persuade – behave like tell
• Inform – behave like tell
• Agree – nearly always followed be that
• Explain – nearly always followed be that
• Mention – nearly always followed be that
• Promise – to infinitive is usually used
• Advise – to infinitive is usually used
• Offer– to infinitive is usually used
REPORTED SPEECH – Question
• With question word (who, what, etc.)
→ keep the question word and put in affirmative
How do you feel? → Rachel asked James how he felt.
• YES/NO question
→ put if (or whether) and affirmative form
Can you hear me? → Rachel asked James if/whether he could
hear her.
INDIRECT REQUEST
• Tell someone to do something
Please tell Rose to clean up her room.
• Tell someone some information
Can you tell them (that) the party starts at nine?
Please tell Mr. Hopkins (that) I will be late.
• Ask someone to do something
Please ask Teresa to give me a call.
Could you ask Russell to be here at five?
• Ask someone for some information (Y/N)
Could you ask them if they did the homework?
Please ask her whether she finished the assignment.
• Ask someone for some information (Open ended)
Would you ask him what he wants?
Please ask her when she will be here.
