REPORTED SPEECH
REPORTED SPEECH
Remember that there are two ways to make reference to the words said by a person: either quoting someone by means of DIRECT SPEECH or reporting those words by means of REPORTED or INDIRECT SPEECH.
A. Put the following statements into REPORTED SPEECH.
1. Jim: “I am ill today”
2. Mary: “I don’t like this story.”
3. The students: “We won’t tell anybody what happened yesterday.”
4. Alice to Tom: “I’ve never been to Motril with your sister.”
5. Tom to Alice: “I’ll take you there tomorrow in my car if you like.”
6. My parents to Jim: “We are going to buy a new car next year.”
7. Mary: “My father has got a very well-paid job.”
8. The students to the teacher: “We can’t do the exam tomorrow.”
9. You: “I’m sorry, but I don’t like your face.”
10. I: “I can’t believe your words.”
B. Now transform these sentences in reported speech into direct speech.
1. George told me he couldn’t help me with my homework.
2. My sister said she had shouted at him, but that he hadn’t replied to her.
3. The terrorist said that he was fed up with the situation in his country.
4. The woman told the police officer she was a Science teacher at his son’s school.
5. The doctor told my grandmother that she should rest in bed for at least a couple of days.
6. My uncle John told me to bring him a cup of tea.
7. I told him not to move from his chair.
8. My English teacher suggested revising all the notes on Reported Speech we had seen the previous year.
9. Tim said that he couldn’t move the piano alone.
10. Andrew asked Mary to marry him in two months’ time.
C. Transform these suggestions, polite requests and commands into reported speech.
1. Sheila: “Let’s go to the cinema”
2. Tom: “Will you open the door, please?”
3. John: “Don’t talk to me like that!”
4. The police officer: “Slow down when you come to crossroads.”
5. My friends: “Why don’t we go to the beach this afternoon?”
6. George: “Would you mind telling me what happened when you arrived?”
7. We: “How about organizing a study trip to Australia?”
8. My cousins: “Don’t tell your parents we are coming on Thursday.”
D. Transform these reported questions into direct speech.
1. The man in the street asked me what time it was.
2. They asked me if I was worried about the exam.
3. The teacher asked the new student how old she was and which school she came from.
4. Richard asked her whether she had been working in that office for a long time.
5. The police officer asked me if I had passed my driving licence a long time ago.
E. Transform these questions and answers into reported speech.
1. Susan to her boyfriend: “Why did you come back?” He: “I came back because I wanted to see you.”
2. Tim: “Do you usually have milk for breakfast?” You: “No, I don’t. I prefer coffee.”
3. They to John: “Where are you working now?” John: “I’m working at the paper factory.”
4. The police officer: “Have you seen anybody strange inside the building?” The tourist: “I saw a bearded man carrying a rucksack who looked really nervous.”
5. My friends: “Why don’t we go to the beach this afternoon?” I: “That’s a good idea.”
F. Transform these sentences into reported speech using these introductory verbs: explain, declare, apologize, thank, refuse, accept, complain, advise, invite, order, beg & offer.
1. The old man to me: “Could you, please, help me cross the street?” I: “Yes, of course.” The old man: “Thank you very much.”
2. Tom: “Would you like to come to my birthday party?” Jane: “No, I’m afraid, I can’t because I have to study for my exams.”
3. The girl: “I spoke to the teacher and then went home.” The judge: “OK. I’ll let you go home, but tell us if you leave the city.”
4. Helen’s friend: “You shouldn’t ride your motorbike without your helmet” Helen: “Sorry, but I haven’t got one.” Friend: “I’ll lend you one of mine.”
5. The teacher: “Come to class by 8 o’clock!!! You have to write the composition you didn’t bring yesterday.” The students: “But we can’t. There are no buses.”
6. My cousins: “You didn’t bring us anything for our birthday.”