Reported Speech

Introductory Verbs

Agree, advise, accuse smb. of, claim, ask, admit (to), demand, beg, apologize for, offer, command, boast about \ of, promise, encourage, complain (to smb.) of, refuse, forbid, deny, threaten, invite, insist on, order, suggest, remind, warn, complain, add, answer, declare, explain, reply, remark, assure, decide, state, announce, regret, suppose, think, inquire, wonder…

Remain unchanged:

1. Subjunctives

“I should be discharged if I were seen speaking to you.” – She said that she would be discharged if she were seen speaking to him.

“I wish I were taller” – he said he wished he were taller.

1. Must, should in suppositions

She said to him, “You must be more careful.” – She told him that he must be more careful.

In case of necessity, MUST® HAVE TO ® HAD TO

She said, “I must get up early every morning.” – She said she had to get up early every morning.

1. If the object clause expresses a general truth.

The pupils knew that water consists of oxygen and hydrogen.

1. If something is represented as habitual, customary or characterisic.

He asked the guide what time the train usually starts.

1. Past simple if exact time (date) is mentioned.

She said, “We met on March, 5” – She said that they met on March, 5

My friend said, “I had left before telegram came” – My friend said that he had left before telegram came.

I was born in 1985. - He said he was born in 1985.

1. Past simple after SINCE.

She said, “I’ve been writing since she came” – She said she had been writing since she came.

1. You may change or not if smth you report is still true.

She said, “New York is a big city.” – She said New York is (was) a big city.

Special Cases

1. SO, SUCH ® VERY, Exceedingly (in exclamatory ss)

She said, “Jane plays the piano so well!” – She said Jane played the piano very well.

She said, “Jane is such a good pianist!” – She said Jane was an exceedingly (very) good pianist.

2. Alternative questions

He asked, “Does he study or work?” – He asked whether he studied or worked.

3. Statements ( using other reporting verbs)

He said to me,” I hope you remember that there will be a meeting tonight.” – He reminded me that there would be a meeting that night.

He said, “The text is very difficult.” – He remarked that the text was rather difficult.

He said, “I spoke to her.” – He admitted that he had spoken to her – He admitted having spoken to her.

He said, “I never spoke to her.” – He denied that he had spoken to her (having spoken to her).

The child said to his mother, “I’ll never disobey you again” – The child promised his mother never to disobey her again.

She said to them, “I’ll certainly come in time.” – She assured them that she would come in time.

4. Requests and Orders

When the speaker is not known or unimportant the reporting verb is used in the Passive Voice. The person addressed is understood from the situation.

"Fasten the seat belts."' (to the passengers).-Passengers are requested to fasten the seat belts.

"Do not feed the animals", (to visitors in a Zoo).-Visitors are required not to feed the animals.

5. Suggestions, Offers, Advice.

"Let’s have our class meeting on Friday", said the pupils.-The pupils suggested (that) they (should) have their class meeting on Friday.

"Let me help you to carry your bag", said Nick, - Nick offered to carry my bag.

Shall I post your letters, Granny?" Mila said.-“Do please”, said Granny. (No, don’t trouble.) - Mila offered her granny to post her letters. (Mila offered to post her granny’s letters) – She accepted the offer – she declined the offer = she refused.

!!! “You had better take a taxi, you may be late” – He advised them to take a taxi or they might be late.

“Don’t leave your car unlocked”, - He warned me not to leave my car unlocked.

“You can use my flat while I’m away,” – He allowed me to use his flat while he was away.

EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES AND CONVERSATI0NAL FORMULAS

Oh dear! Damn! Oh! Oh Lord! Goodness!'... - He sighed (cursed, gasped, screamed).

Or

- He made an exclamation of surprise (protest, pity, joy, amazement, bewilderment...)

"Bravo! Splendid!' cried the audience in delight. - The audience applauded with delight.

What a lovely day.'- She remarked what a lovely day it was.

Oh dear! I've torn my dress.'- She sighed that she had torn her dress.

"Cyril, meet my friend Brian." - Alice introduced her friend to Cyril.

'Good morning, darling. ' - Mother wished good morning to me. (Mother greeted me.)

'Many Happy returns of the day.'" - N. greeted M. on his birthday. (N. congratulated.)

"Excuse my ringing you at such an hour"- M. apologized to N. for ringing so late.

‘Alas! I’ll never be happy again! – She exclaimed in despair she would never be happy again.

How pleasant! Jane is coming! - She cried joyfully (with joy) that Jane was coming.

I’m so sorry! Jane is leaving us. – She sighed sadly that Jane was leaving them.

I beg your pardon; I’ve forgotten to bring you the book. - She begged his pardon for having forgotten to bring the book.

Thank you for your help. – She thanked him for his help.

How do you do? – She greeted him.

Happy to see you! – She welcomed him.

Good-bye! – She bade him good-bye.

Good night! – She wished him good night.

Merry Christmas! – She wished him Merry Christmas.

EXERCISES ON REPORTED SPEECH:

1. Report the following sentences:

1. “Good afternoon!” she said, “You are welcome, Jane”- “Thank you, ”she said.
2. “Can I help you with your luggage?” Lenny asked.- “Thank you, I should be very obliged.”
3. “You are welcome! Glad to see you, Mr. Flint,” said Barbara.
4. “Oh, Dick!” she said, “I am so glad you have come!”
5. “Mary! Forgive me!” Arthur said.
6. “I beg your pardon, sir,” said Mr. Pickwick “I am very sorry to disturb the other gentlemen, but I come on very particular business.”
7. “Why does she wear hats like this?” Denny said
8. Jill said, “I was very busy last night”.
9. She said to Jack, “You must be very careful.”

10. Marry said to her friends, “I’ll never be happy again.”

11. Mother said to the guests, “Jane plays the piano so well.”

12. She said, “Why, I never expected he would do such a thing.”

13. The officer said to his soldiers, “Stop!”

14. Charles asked his friend, “Where are you going and where are your friends?”

15. I asked her, “Will you go for a voyage round the world?”

16. “Excuse me for interrupting you, “the doctor said.

17. She said, “What will you get if you go there?”

18. He said to him, “Shall I fetch you a glass of water?”

19. Jane said to Ann, “You must be very fond of music if you go to concerts so often.”

20. “Pay when you get on” (to the passengers)

Дата добавления: 2015-10-21