17. Reported Speech
In reported speech we use the back shifting of the tenses if the main clause is in the past.
-
Direct Speech
Reported Speech
Present Simple
Present Continuous
Past Simple
Present Perfect
Past Perfect
Will
Can
Past Simple
Past Continuous
Past Perfect
Past Perfect
Past Perfect
Would
Could
The examples of reported statements.
E.g. I am busy. – He knew that I was busy.
I made a mistake. – I said that I had made a mistake.
It will rain. – She thought that it would rain.
Reported questions lose the question word order.
E
.g.
Where do you live? – She asked me
wondered where I lived.
wanted to know
We use if or whether for general questions.
E.g. Have you written the article? – She asked me if (whether) I had written the article.
We use the infinitive in reported speech especially with tell and ask (for orders and requests).
E.g. Come at five. – She asked him to come at five.
Don’t go there. – He told me not to go there.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE FOLLOWING CHANGES:
-
Direct Speech
Reported Speech
this (these)
now
today
yesterday
tomorrow
ago
here
last
in
next
that (those)
then
that day
the day before
the next day
before
there
the previous
later
the following
Ex. 1. Put the following statements into reported speech.
“The train stops at every station” – she said.
“This man doesn’t know what he is talking about” – the boy said.
“He will come later today” – she said.
“It was you who started the argument yesterday” – said the husband.
“I won’t go” – my friend said.
He said: “I have spoken to the manager about the terms of delivery.”
John said: “I have been waiting for you since 5 o’clock.”
The manager said: “I will sign the contract in the evening.”
The student said: “I can’t answer your question.”
My sister said: “If the weather is bad we will stay at home.”
Не said: “I want to speak to you.”
The officer said: “We have finished our work.”
He said: “I will do it at once.”
The teacher said: “This exercise is very easy.”
He told his friend: “I met him last year.”
The boss said: “I am going to London tomorrow.”
Mary told me: “I have never been here before.”
The secretary said: “I was ill yesterday.”
The girl told her friend: “I have been waiting for you since two o'clock.”
The American businessman told me: “I'll come as soon as I can.”
He said: “I'm afraid I can't go there now but I will probably be able to go there tomorrow.”
The patient said: “I have been very ill, but I am feeling much better.”
The shop assistant said: “The price does not include the cost of packing.”
The sales representative said: “We must send the goods at the end of August.”
25. The boss said: “I must sign the letters before I leave.”
Ex. 2. Report the following commands and requests.
Don’t swim too far.
Go to the blackboard.
Don’t forget to bring your books tomorrow.
Turn to the right.
Pass me the sugar, please.
Please, do not leave during the performance.
Come over for lunch.
Stop talking, please.
Open the window, will you?
Will you help me carry this bag, please?
I don’t suppose you could give me a hand with this work, could you?
Would you mind not speaking so loudly?
Ex. 3. Report the following special questions.
How much did this computer cost?
Who wakes you up in the morning?
When will they send you the goods?
Where were you yesterday?
Who is the owner of this car?
What is the price of this car?
What is he doing now?
Why didn’t he come to the University yesterday?
When are they going to sign the contract?
Where is Mr. Brown?
Where are you going?
How old are you?
How long have you been learning English?
Why can't you answer this question at once?
What will you do if you miss the train?
When did you receive our telegram?
Where does your friend live?
What will you do if you fail your exam?
Who do you know in this town?
Ex. 4. Put the following general questions into reported speech.
Do you go home by bus?
Does your father come home earlier than you?
Can your friend speak English?
Did you study well at school?
Will you help me?
Are there many students in your group?
Did she go shopping last week?
Have you signed the contract yet?
Will she answer your letter?
Was there much snow last winter?
Ex. 5. Choose the correct form of the verb.
He asked me when I (come, came, would come) home the next day.
She doesn’t know if she (will learn, learns) French next year.
If he (stays, will stay) for supper, he will meet my parents.
One day John asked Mary if she (married, would marry) him.
I (will call, call) you when I (return, will return) from London.
Ask Mr. Smith when he (returns, will return) from London.
If it (stops, will stop) snowing, we (will go, go) for a walk.
Ann asked her sister if she (would be, was, will be) busy all day.
He wanted to know when they (would finish, finish, finished) their work.
He said that when he (would finish, finished) his work, he (would help, helped) us.
Ex. 6. Put the following dialogues into reported speech with the introductory