- 2009 .
1.Reported speech 2.Reported speech without tense changes 3.Reported speech with tense changes 4.Other changes in reported speech 5.Reported questions 6.Reported imperatives 7.Reporting verbs
We use reported speech when we are saying what other people say, think or believe.
He
says he wants it. I believe he loves her. She told me he had asked her to marry him. We thought he was in Australia.
without tense changes
with tense changes
When we are reporting somebodys words a short time after they were said.
Its quite cold, said Harry. Harry just said (that) its quite cold.
When we are reporting a scientific fact.
Light from the sun takes eight minutes to reach us, the professor said. The professor said (that) light from the sun takes eight minutes to reach us.
When we are reporting something which is still true.
I have a niece in America, Mr Wood said. Mr Wood said (that) he has a niece in America.
When we use a reporting verb in the present tense.
I am staying in tonight, Mark says. Mark says (that) he is staying in tonight.
When
we are reporting somebodys words a short time after they were said. When we are reporting a scientific fact. When we are reporting something which is still true. When we use a reporting verb in the present tense.
We usually have to change the tense if the reporting verb is in the past.
Present Simple
Past Simple
I am hungry.
He said (that) he hungry.
was
Present Continuous
Past Continuous
I am writing a letter.
He said (that) he was writing a letter.
Present Perfect
Past Perfect
I have cleaned my room.
He said (that) he had cleaned his room.
Present Perfect Continuous
Past Perfect Continuous
She has been waiting all day.
He said (that) she had been waiting all day.
Past Simple
Past Perfect
I paid $12 for the video.
He said (that) he had paid $12 for the video.
Past Continuous
Past Perfect Continuous
We were talking about football.
He said (that) they had been talking about football.
Direct Speech
Reported speech
Present Simple Present Continuous Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous Past Simple Past Continuous
Past Simple Past Continuous Past Perfect Past Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Past Perfect Continuous
We sometimes have to change other words, such as pronouns, words that refer to the time and place, some modal verbs.
Direct Speech
Reported speech
now today yesterday tomorrow last week next week ago here this these will
then, at that moment that day the day before, the previous day the next/following day the week before, the previous week the week after, the following week before there that those would
Reported questions are usually introduced with the verbs ask, inquire, wonder or the expression want to know. The word order is direct. The tenses, pronouns and time and place expressions change as in statements.
We introduce the reported question with
if or whether.
Have you finished? He asked me if/whether I had finished. Are there any apples left? He asked if/whether there were any apples left.
We introduce the reported question with the same question word.
Who left the fridge open? He asked who had left the fridge open. Why did they go there? He wanted to know why they had gone there.
We use the reporting verbs
tell, order, command, ask + smb + to-infinitive Sit still! He told me to sit still. Dont say a word! He told me not to say a word.
agree, claim, offer, promise, refuse + toinfinitive advise, allow, ask, order, warn + smb + to-infinitive accuse smb of, apologise for, deny, insist on, suggest + -ing form
