1

: Reported Speech

There are two ways of relating what a person has said: DIRECT and INDIRECT SPEECH.

 IN DIRECT SPEECH we repeat the original speaker’s exact words.

Ex.: She said, “I want another orange”

Remarks repeated in this way are placed between inverted commas, and before the remarks we place a
comma or a colon.
 IN INDIRECT SPEECH we give the exact meaning of a remark, or a speech without using the
speaker’s exact words.
Ex.: She said that she wanted another orange.

When we turn direct speech into direct speech, some changes are usually necessary. These changes are most
easily studied by considering STATEMENTS, QUESTIONS, and COMMANDS separately.

STATEMENTS

When the introductory verb is in the present, present perfect or future tense we can report the direct speech
without any change of tense.

Ex.
Paul: (phoning from the station): “I’m trying to get a taxi.”
Ann: (to Mary): Paul says HE IS TRYING TO GET A TAXI

But indirect speech is usually introduced by a verb in the past tense. Verbs in the indirect speech have then to be
changed into a corresponding past tense.

Direct Indirect
Simple Present Simple Past
Present Continuous Past Continuous
Present Perfect Past Perfect
Present Perfect Contin. Past Perfect Contin.
Simple Past Past Perfect
Simple Future Simple Conditional
Future Cont. Conditional Cont.

 SOMETIMES “PAST TENSES” REMAIN UNCHANGED.

The past Continuous Tense changes to the Past Perfect Continuous when it refers to a completed action,
when the action is incomplete it remains unchanged.

Ex.: He said, “When I saw them, they were playing tennis.”

He said that when He saw them they were playing tennis.

In written English PAST TENSES usually change to PAST PERFECT but there are some exceptions:
1. Past/Past Continuous tenses used in TIME CLAUSES do not normally change.
Ex.: He said, “When we were living/lived in Paris……”
He said that when they were living/lived………….
2. A Past Tense used to describe the state of something usually remains
unchanged.
Ex.: She said, “I decided not to buy the house because it was on the main road.”
She said that she had decided not to buy that house because it was on the main road.
3. Subjunctives after “WISH”, “WOULD RATHER/SOONER” and “IT’S TIME” do not change.
Ex.: “We wish we didn’t have to take exams,” they said.
They said they wished they didn’t have to take exams.

4. Conditional Sentences types II and III remain unchanged.

Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 2
Ex.: “If my house were bigger, I would invite you,” she said.
She said that if her house were bigger she would invite us.

NOTE: The advice from “IF I WERE YOU, I WOULD….” Is normally reported by: ADVISE + OBJECT +
INFINITIVE
Ex.: “If I were you, I would wait,” he said.
He advised me to wait.
NOTE: The request form “I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD….” Is normally reported by: ASK +
OBJECT + INF.
Ex.: “I’d be very grateful if you’d keep in contact,” he said.
He asked me to keep in contact.
5. “WOULD”, “SHOULD”, “OUGHT TO”, “HAD BETTER”, “MIGHT”, “USED TO”, “COULD” and
“MUST” do not normally change.
Ex.: “The children had better go to bed early,” she said.
She said that the children had better go to bed early.
NOTE: “You ought to / you should’ used to express advice rather than obligation, can be reported by ADVISE
+ OBJECT + INFINITIVE

Ex.: “You should read this book,” she said.

She advised me to read that book.

OTHER CHANGES NECESSARY WHEN TURNING “DIRECT SPEECH” INTO “INDIRECT SPEECH”.

 Pronouns and Possessive adjectives normally change from first or second person to third person, except
when the speaker is reporting his own words.

Ex.: I said, “I like my new car.”

I said that I liked my new car.

Ex.: “I’ve lost my wallet,” he said

He said that he had lost his wallet.

 THIS and THESE

 THIS (in time expressions) becomes THAT.

Ex.: “He’s coming this week”, she said.

She said that he was coming that week.

 THESE becomes THOSE.

Ex.: “It’s very hot these days,” he said.

He said that it was very hot those days.

 Otherwise THIS and THAT used as adjectives usually change to THE.

Ex.: He said, “I bought these dresses for my mother.”

He said that he had bought the dresses for his mother.

 THIS/THESE used as pronouns can become IT/THEY/THEM.

Ex.: He showed me two bullets. “I found THESE embedded in the paneling,” he said
He said that He had found THEM embedded in the paneling.
 Adverbs and Adverbial phrases of time change as follows:

DIRECT INDIRECT
Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 3
TODAY THAT DAY
YESTERDAY THE DAY BEFORE
THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY TWO DAYS BEFORE
TOMORROW THE NEXT DAY /THE FOLLOWING DAY
THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW IN TWO DAYS’ TIME
NEXT WEEK THE FOLLOWING WEEK
LAST WEEK THE PREVIOUS WEEK
A YEAR AGO A YEAR BEFORE/THE PREVIOUS YEAR

 HERE can become THERE only when it is clear what place is meant.

Ex.: We met at the bridge and he said, “I’ll be HERE tomorrow.”

We met at the bridge and he said he would be THERE the next day.

BUT: “Come here, boys”, she said.

She called the boys.

QUESTIONS

Direct He said, “WHERE IS SHE GOING?”

Indirect He asked where she was going.

When we turn direct questions into reported speech, the following changes are necessary:
 Tenses, pronouns and possessive adjectives and adverbs of time and place change as in statements.
 The interrogative form of the verb changes to the affirmative form. (Indirect Questions)
 The questions mark / ? / is omitted.
Ex.: He said, “Where does she live?”
He asked where she lived.

 The introductory verb must be changed to a verb of inquiry. Ex.: ask, inquire, wonder, want to know,
etc.
 If the direct question begins with a questions word (when, where, etc), the questions word is repeated in
the indirect speech.
Ex.: He said, “ WHY didn’t you come ?”
He asked her WHY she hadn’t come.
 If there is no question word, we use “IF” or “WETHER”
Ex.: “Is anyone here?, he asked.
He asked IF/WHETHER anyone was there.

NOTE: “WHETHER + INFINITIVE” + is possible after “WONDER”, “WANT TO KNOW”.

Ex.: “Shall I wait for her or go on?”, he wondered.

He wondered whether to wait for her or go on.
He wondered whether he should wait for her or go on.
 Questions beginning with “SHALL I / WE?”

They can be of four kinds:

a. Speculations or requests for information about a future event.

Ex.: “Shall I ever see them again?,” he wondered.
He wondered if he would ever see the again.

b. Requests for instructions or advice.

Ex.: “What shall I do with it?,” he asked.
He asked what he was to do with it.
Or. He asked what he should do with it.
They are normally reported by: “ask/wonder” + “should” or “be + inf.”
Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 4
Ex.: “Shall we send it to your flat, sir?,” he asked.
He asked if they should send/were to sent it to his flat.

c. Offers.
Ex.: “Shall I bring you some tea?,” she said.
She offered to bring me some tea.

d. Suggestions:
Ex.. “Shall we meet at the theatre?,” she said.
She suggested meeting at the theatre.
 Questions begining with “Will you / Would you?” may be requests, invitations or very occasionally
commands.

Ex.: He said, “Will you help me? (request)

He asked me to help him.

“Would you like a drink?,” he said.

He offered me a drink.
He asked me if I would like a drink.

COMMANDS – REQUESTS – ADVICE

 Reported commands, requests, advice are usually expressed by a verb of command/request/advice +

obj. + inf.
Ex: He said, “Lie down, Tom”.
He told Tom to lie down.
 The following verbs can be used: advise, ask, beg, command, encourage, entreat, forbid, implore,
invite, order, recommend, remind, request, tell, urge, warn.
Ex.: “You’d better stay here,” he said.
He advised Tom / him / her to stay there.
 Negative Commands, requests, etc. are reported by NOT + Infinitive.
Ex.: “Don’t touch it!”, he said.
He warned me not to touch it.
 The verbs ASK and BEG can be followed by the passive infinitive.
Ex.: “Do, please, send to a warm climate,” she begged.
1. She asked them not to send her to............
2. She begged to be sent to...........................

COMMAND and ORDER can also be used with “SHOULD”, but express command not advice.
Ex.: “Lock the door,” he said to the porter.
He ordered that the porter should lock........
He ordered the porter to lock the doors.
He ordered that the doors should be locked.
He ordered the doors to be locked.

SUGGESTIONS

“LET’S” express “suggestion” and is replaced by “SUGGEST”

He said, “Let’s have a party”.
He suggested having a party.
He suggested that we should have a party.
He said, “Let’s not stay here.”
He opposed/objected the idea of staying there.

Other ways of expressing suggestion is by means of:

o We could.................’
o What about + gerund..................’
Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 5
o How about + gerund...................’
o Shall we......................................’
o Why don’t we.............................’
o Do you fancy + gerund...............’

 Second person suggestions can be expressed by “I suggest (your) + gerund” or “Suppose you + present
or past tense”, or “Why don’t you + infinitive’’.
Ex.: He said, “I suggest (your) waiting here.”
He said, “What about waiting here?’
He said, “Suppose you wait here?’

HE SUGGESTED MY WAITING / THAT I SHOULD / THAT I WAITED HERE

EXCLAMATIONS

They must become statements in indirect speech.

Ex.: He said, “THANK YOU.” He thanked me.

He said, “WELCOME.” He welcomed me.
He said, “CONGRATULATIONS.” He congratulated me.
He said, “LIAR.” He called me a Liar
He said, “DAMN.” He swore.
He said, “HAPPY CHISTMAS.” He wished me Happy Chistamas.

Look at these exclamatory sentences with “WHAT A/AN” and “HOW..........”.

He said, “What a nice car.”

He exclaimed what a nice car it/that was.

He said, “How pretty she is.”

He exclaimed how pretty she was. Or
He exclaimed that she was pretty.

 YES and NO are expressed in indirect speech by: SUBJECT + the appropiate auxiliary verb.
Ex.: He said, “Can you swim?”, and I said “No.”
He asked me if i could swim and I said that I couldn’t.

He said, “Will you have time?”, and I said, “Yes.”

He asked me if I would have time and I said that I would.
 MUST used for deductions, permanent command, prohibition and to express intention or advice
remains unchanged.
Ex.: She said, “She must live near here.”
She said that she must live near here.
He said, “People must work.”
He said that people must work.

MUST used for obligation can remain unchanged, but it can also change as follows:

I/WE must can become: WOULD HAVE TO or HAD TO.

Ex.: “When it stops snowing we must start dugging ourselves,” he said.

He said that when it stopped snowing we would have to start digging ourselves.

NOTE: WOULD HAVE TO is used when the obligation depends on a future action, or when the fulfilment of
the obligation is uncertain.

NOTE: When the obligation has just arisen, we use would have to.
Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 6
Ex: “I have just received the telegram,” he said, “ I must go home at once.
He said that he had just received a telegram and that he would have to go at once.

NOTE: We use HAD TO for obligations where times for fulfilment have been fixed, or plans made.
Ex.: Tom said, “I must be there at nine.”
Tom said that he had to be there at nine.

NOTE: MUST NOT

Ex.: He said, “You musn’t smoke here.’’
He said that she musn´t smoke there.
He told her NOT TO SMOKE there.

 NEEDN’T: can remain unchanged or change to DIDN’T HAVE TO / WOULDN’T HAVE TO

Ex.: I said, “I needn’t go to the bank.
didn´t have to.............
wouldn´t have to.........

 COULD YOU? is reported by ASK or INVITE, when it has future or present meaning.
Ex.: “Could you get tickets?,” he said.
He asked me to get the tickets.
Ex.: “Could you have lunch with me tomorrow?,” she said.
She invited me to have lunch......................

 COULD with past meaning.

COULD for permission can remain the same or change to WAS/WERE LLOWED TO or HAD BEEN
ALLOWED TO.

Ex.: He said, “When I was young I couldn’t inerrupt my parents.”

He said that when he was young he wasn´t allowed to...........

REPORTING VERBS

The commonest reporting verbs in both direct and indirect speech are : say , tell and ask.
Many other verbs can serve as reporting verbs. We can divide them into :
1.- REPORTING VERBS :
Key :
 That : that is not usually omitted.
 (sby): optional personal object before clause :
He warned (me) that I’d better go.
 Q : verb may be followed by question clauses.
He asked when I would be ready.
 If : verb can be followed by if or whether.
He asked if/whether Jim had arrived.
 ° : verb can report direct speech in writing with inversion usually possible.
‘I’m ready,’ John said / said John.

Accept (that) Consider, (Q) Know; (Q); (if/whether) Teach (that),

(Q) (whether)
Acknowledge (that) (I) Daresay (present only) Learn; (Q); (if/whether) (not) tell
(if/whether) (Q)
° Add (that) Decide; (Q); (if/whether) Look: it looks as (if) ° Think; (Q),
(whether)
° Admit (Q) ° Declare Maintain Understand;
(Q) (if/whether)
Advertise (that) Deny Matter (that) (if/wh/Q) Vote (that)
Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 7
Affirm (that) Depend on (whether) (Q) Mean ° Want to know (that) (if/Q)
° Agree (Q) (if/whether) Describe (Q) (only) Mind (if/whether/Q) ° Warn (sby)
Allege (that) Disagree (that) Note (that), (Q) Wish
Allow (= admit) (that) Discuss (Q), (whether only) Notice; (Q), (if/whether)
Wonder (if/whether/Q)
° Announce Doubt, (if/whether) Observe (that) (=say) Write (sby) (that)
° Answer (that) Dream (that) Plan, (Q)
Appear : it appears…. Emphasize (that), (Q) ° Point out, (Q)
Appreciate (that) Ensure (that) ° Predict (that) (Q)
° Argue (that) about (Q) Estimate (that), (Q) Pretend
° Ask (sby) (if/whether) (Q) ° Exclaim (that) ° Promise (sby)
Assert (that) Expect Prove, (Q), (whether)
Assume ° Explain; (Q), (whether) Question (sby) (Q) only
Believe Fancy (=imagine) Realize; (Q)
I bet (= I’m sure) Fear Record (that), (Q) (if)
° Boast about (Q) Feel (=think) Regret
(not) care (If/whether) (Q) Find out,, (Q), (if/whether) ° Remark (=say) (that)
° Caution (sby) Follow: it follows (that) ° Repeat (that)
Certify (that) Forecast (that), (Q) ° Reply (that)
Chance: it chanced (that) Forget; (Q); (if/whether) ° Report (that), (Q)
Charge (that) Gather; (Q); (if/whether) ° Respond (that)
Check (that),(if/whether),(Q) Guess; (Q); (if/whether) ° Say, (Q) (if/whether)
Choose: (Q), (whether) Happen: it……(that) ° See; (if) (Q)
Claim Hope Show (that) (Q) (If)
° Complain Imagine (=think); (Q) ° State (that), (Q)
° Conclude Imply (that) ° Suggest (Q)
° Confess; (Q), (whether) Indicate (that), (Q) Suppose
Confirm (that),(Q),(whether) ° Inquire (if/whether) (Q) Suspect, (Q)

2.- REPORTING VERBS

These have a personal object before a clause:

He told me (that) he would be late.

Assure; convince; inform; instruct sby that; notify sby that; remind sby that; tell sby that

3.- REPORTING VERBS

Most of the following can be used to report commands with a to-infinitive. Those marked
* can also be followed by that…….should; those marked that…….should cannot be
followed by to * advise sby to; * ask sby to; * beg sby to; * cable sby to; cause sby to;
command sby to; compel sby to; * demand to; * direct sby to; forbid sby to; get sby to;
insist that……should, * instruct sby to; oblige sby to; * order sby to; * persuade sby to;
propose that…….should; * recommend sby to; * request sby to; suggest e.g. where
to/that……should; * tell sby to; * urge sby to; want sby to; wish sby to

4.- REPORTING VERBS.

Verbs that can be impersonal with “IT”

The speaker may not want to take personal responsibility for a statement or may be reporting the
views of a group of people. These verbs can be used in the passive, introduced by IT.
E.g. It has been agreed to close most of the coal mines.

Agree decide imply rumour

Announce estimate know say
Believe expect predict state
Claim fear reckon suggest
Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 8
Confirm feel recommend suppose
Consider hope report think

FUNCTIONS

1.- Many verbs describe a function, rather than report words.

E.g. Look, if I were you I’d leave early.
She advised me to leave early.

Examples are :
Admit complain request suggest
Advise invite remind warn
Agree persuade threaten

2.- Some verbs describe actions.

E.g. - Hi, Dave, how are you?
He greeted me.

Examples are :
Accept / Congratulate / Decide / Greet / Interrupt / Introduce

CHANGES OF TIME AND PLACE :

THIS : “ I left this parcel on this chair?” He said.

He said he had left the parcel on the chair by the window. ( specify which chair)

“I love this town,” the woman said.

The woman said that she loved the town. (reference replaced by a general one)

DIRECT INDIRECT
HERE THERE
TODAY THAT DAY
TOMORROW THE FOLLOWING DAY
NEXT WEEK THE FOLLOWING WEEK
YESTERDAY THE(PREVIOUS) DAY( BEFORE)
THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY TWO DAYS AGO
LAST NIGHT THE PREVIOUS NIGHT
THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW IN TWO DAYS’ TIME
NOW THEN

Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 9

REPORTED SPEECH: EXERCISES

A) TURN INTO REPORTED SPEECH.

1. “I live in a flat,” Tim said.

2. “Where does she work?”, he asked me.

3. “Don’t play inside!” she told us.

4. “Will they arrive early?” he asked us.

5. “Write this letter at once,!” she told me.

6. “When did they finish their house?” he asked her.

7. “He doesn’t work very hard,” his mother said.

8. “What time do you get up in the morning?” he asked.

9. “Do it again!” she told me.

10. “Don’t do it again!” she told them.

11. “Close the window!” the teacher told his pupil.

12. “What has she told you?” she asked him.

13. Did Ann make this cake?” he asked. “No,” her mother answered.

14. Are the children playing outside?” mum asked.

15. Will they come early tomorrow?” Dad asked.

16. “What’s your name?” she asked me.

17. Have they done all the exercises?” Mum asked me.

18. What a fast car!” he said.

19. “Don’t wash your car here!” she told him.

20. How many books did they buy?” I asked her.

21. “Stand still, children!” the teacher said.

Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 10

22. “Why are the Browns moving again?” the man asked.

23. “Will you move your car a bit?” she told my father.

24. “Shall I bring you a glass of water, Sam?” the lady said.

25. “Have you ever been to Paris?” the teacher asked her.

26. “How clever you son is!” The headmistress said.

27. “Thank you !” the young man said.

28. “Do you think you could answer the phone for me, please?” He
said

29. “ How about doing the exercise again?” the gym teacher said.

30. “Mary’s going to be very successful,” her father said.

B.- You answered some questions for a man doing a street survey about
soap operas on television. What were his questions? Write the questions in
the survey.

1.- He wanted to know if you liked soap operas.

2.- He asked whether you watched an American soap opera called
‘Manhattan’
3.- He wanted to know how long you had been watching it.
4.- He asked how many of your friends or family watched it.
5.- He asked you why it was your favourite soap opera.
6.- He wanted to know if you would continue to watch it regularly.
7.- He asked you who your favourite character was.
8.- He asked you if you thought soap operas should be known at the
weekend.
9.- He asked you if you could name four other soap operas.
10.- He asked how long you thought a soap opera episode should last.
11.- He wanted to know what other kinds of programme you watched.

Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 11
Now ask five extra questions for the survey and turn them into Reported
Speech.

C.- Turn into Direct Speech using the correct punctuation.

Ihe Customs Officer asked me if I had anything to declare and I answered
confidently that I hadn't. He begged me if I would mind unlocking the suitcase. I
answered I would.
Looking at the case with great care he asked sarcastically what about a bottle of
perfume, and added that I should have declared it because perfume wasn't exempt
from import duty.
I immediately told him that it wasn't perfume, but hair-oil instead. Then I added with
a smile that it was a strange mixture that I made myself.
As I expected he didn't believe me and told him to try it.
D.- Put the following into Indirect Speech.
l-'There's been an accident and the road is blocked,' said the policeman. 'lt won't be
clear for some time. Vou'd better go round the other way.''
2-'Let's light a fire and cook our sausages over if,” said the children.
3-“I was thinking of going by bus,' said Paul.
“I shouldn't go by bus if I were you,' said his aunt. 'It's an awfully bad service.'
4- “Vou'd better take sleeping-bags; you may have to sleep out', he warned us.
5-“I’ve left some books on your table,' said Peter. 'I think you'll find them useful. Vou
can keep them as long as you need them but I'd like them back when you have
finished with them.' ' Thank you very much', I said. 'I'll take great care of them.'
6- 'If children can learn a complicated language like Japanese by the time they are
five,' said the Japanese Professor , 'they should be able to learn the language of
music. At the moment I'm teaching a class of forty- three-year-olds to play the violin,'
he added.
7-'The puppy can sleep in our bed,' said Tom. 'I'd rather he slept in a basket,' said his
wife. 'That puppy will soon be a very big dog and then there won't be room for all
three of us.'
8-'Who has been using my typewriter?' said my Mother.
Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 12
9-'Do you want to see the cathedral ?' said the guide.
I0-'Do you mind working on the night shifts?' he asked.
11-'How much do you think it will cost ?' he said.
12-'How many people knew the combination of the safe?' said the detective.
13-'5hall we have dinner somewhere after the theatre ?' said Peter. 'Yes, let's,' said
Ann , 'what about going to that place Jack is always talking about ?' (For 'YES,LET'S'
put: Ann agreed.)
14-'Jack's parents have asked me to supper tomorrow night,' said Ann. 'What shall I
wear?'
“I should wear something warm , dear, 'said her mother, 'It's a terribly cold house.'
15-'Don't put sticky things in your pockets,' said his Mother.
16-' Would you please wait in the lounge till the flight number is called?,' she said.
17-' Don't lend Harry any money,' I said to Anne. 'He never pays his debts.'
18-“Why don't you open a bank account?,' said one of the students (Use ADVISE)
19-'Could I see your driving licence ?,'said the policeman.
20-'When you've chosen a book, bring it to me and I'll stamp it,' said the librarian.
E.- Read the following passage and then answer the questions so as to
report it.
I crossed the street to avoid meeting him , but he saw me and came running towards
me. It was no use pretending that I had not seen him, so I waved to him. I never
enjoy meeting Bert Dykes. He never has anything to do. No matter how busy you are,
he always insists on coming with you. l had to think of a way of preventing him from
following me around all morning.
'Hello Bert,”I said. 'Fancy meeting you here.'
'Hello Elizabeth,' Bert answered. l was just wondering how to spend the morning until
I saw you. You are not busy doing anything, are you ?'
'No, not at all,” l answered. 'I'm going to....'
'Would you mind my coming with you ?,' he asked.
'Not at all,' I lied, 'but I'm going to the dentist.'
QUESTIONS

Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 13
I-Did Elizabeth try to avoid meeting Bert or not? Was she able to do so or not? 2) Did
he always insist on accompanying her or not? What did she have to do ? 3)Where did
she tell him she was going ?

F) CHANGE THE FOLLOWING FROM DIRECT SPEECH TO INDIRECT SPEECH .

1)-`I like my dog, Jack,' the boy said.

2)`I am going to the party with my bother,' the girl said.
3)`We have plenty of time to do our work,' my pupils said.
4)`George has written me a long letter,' she said.
5)-`We are very tired,' he said.
6)`You sing very nicely,' she told me.
7)-`I am giving a prize for the best homework,’ he said.
8)`I'm French but I´ve learned English at school,' she said.
9)`I will take you to my house,' she said.
10)`You can come with us if you Iike,' they told me.
11) I don't like English food very much,' the man said.
12)`This time-table is too complicated for me,' my Dad said.
13) 'I have to go to the dentist tomorrow,' the boy said.
14)`This is the book we have been looking for,' Sheila said.
15)`I'll be doing exactly the same work next Monday as I am doing today,' Ted said.
16) ‘I must go to the Post Offìce before it closes,' she said.
17)`This book was lent to him weeks ago and he has only, just returned it,' the
librarian said.
18)`Are you hungry, Meg?' Mary said.
19) ‘What do you want Ellen?' Lillian asked.
20) 'Shall I close the window?' the teacher asked her pupils.
21)`Have you all understood me?' the man asked.
22) `Where are you going for your holidays?’ (Margaret to Richard).
23) `How did they travel back home?' she asked me.
24) May I have another cake, please?' The woman said.
25)`Where does Joe have his suits made?' the teacher asked.
26)`Which hotel in Edinburgh is considered the best? 'he asked.
27) `Which of the routes to London do you prefer?' he asked.
28) `Do you go to school every day?' the woman asked the girl.
29) ‘Did you brush your teeth properly, Ted?' she asked.
30) `Will all of them attend the meeting tomorrow?' he asked me.
31)`Can you lend me fifty pence?' he asked her.
32) `Write that exercise out carefully!' the teacher told Richard.
33) ‘Shoot the wolf! 'The hunter said.
34) ‘Read my exercise and tell me if it is correct,' the girl said.
35)`Release the prisoners,' said the officer to the sergeant.
36)`Don't lower the boats,' the captain cried.
37)`Victoria Station as fast as you can,' the man said.
38)`Please sing at our party, Margaret,' the man said.
Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 14
39)`Open the box for me, please!' Mary said to John.
40)`Don't write your name here,' the teacher ordered her pupils.
41)`Be careful, please!' the boy's mother said.
42) ’Will you post this letter for me, please,' Ted said.
43)'Eat it up,' the girl’s mother told the girl.
44)`Don't spend all your money on food and drink. Save some for the future,' he
said. 45)’Be a good girl and sit quietly for five minutes and Auntie will give you a
sweet,' she said.

G.- THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES ARE IN INDIRECT SPEECH . GIVE THE

DIRECT WORDS OF THE SPEAKER. ADD THE NECESSARY PUNCTUATION.

1-Henry said that he was going to London with his father. 2) Margaret said that her
train would arrive in five minutes. 8) Lillian said that her sister spoke French well. 4)
George said that he hoped it wouldn't rain. 5) Richard told Mary that he was playing
football on Saturday. 6) My father told me that I could go to England far a year. 7)
Mary promised Ellen that she would write to her every week. 8)The stranger asked
the way to the railway station. 9) He told me to do some exercises every day if I
wanted to pass my examinations. 10) His mother told Richard not to eat all the cake.
il)Mr Brown asked his visitor to come in. 12) Fred asked William if he had read the
Treasure Island. 13) The officer commanded the soldiers to fire. 14) Richard's father
told him not to climb that tree in his new trousers. 15) Mary said that she would be
20 on the l5th of May.

H.-WRITE A REPORT OF THIS CONVERSATION AS IT MIGHT APPERR IN A

NEWSPAPER.

`At the time the murder was committed I was travelling on the eight o'clock train to
London, 'said the man. `Do you always catch such an early train?' asked the
inspector.
`Of course I do, 'answered the man. I must be at work at 10 o'clock. My employer
will confirm that I was there an time.'
`Would a later train get you to work on time? 'asked the inspector. `I suppose it
would, but I never catch a later train.'
`At what time did you arrive at the station?'
`At ten to eight. I bought a paper and waited for the train.' `And you didn't notice
anything unusual?'
`Of course not.'

Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga
 15

Put the following into indirect speech:

i. 'Why arc you looking through the keyhole?' I said.
a. 'Who put salt in my coffee?' he asked.
3. 'Which of you knows how to make Irish stew f* said the chief
cook.
4. 'Why did you travel first class?* I asked him.
s. 'How can I probably run in this tight skirt?' she inquired.
b. 'What is your new house like?' I asked them.
1. He said, 'Where am I supposed to go now?'
8. 'Whose car did you borrow last night?' I said to him.
<j. 'What was she wearing when you saw her last?' the policeman
asked me.
io. 'Who owns this revolver?' said the detective.
ii. 'Where were you last night, Mr Jones?' he said.
12. 'What else did you see?' I asked the boy,
13. 'Have you done this sort of work before? said his new
employer.
15- 'Did they understand what you said to them?' he inquired.
16. 'Arc you being attended to, air?' said the shop assistant.
17. 'Will you go on strike when the others do?' the shop steward
asked him.
18. 'Do you know what I mean, Mary?' said the young man.
19. 'Who left the banana skin on the front doorstep?' said my
mother.
20. 'Have you gone completely mad?' I asked. 'Do you want to
blow us all up y
21. 'Why is his house full of large leather couches?* she asked.
'Was his father a psychiatrist?'
1. Be careful of questions beginning shall I (see § 279)-
2. 'Yea' and 'No' answers are initially expressed in indirect
speech by the subject+the appropriate auxiliary verb.
e.g. He said, 'Do you like it She said, 'Yea.'
~ He asked her if she liked it and she said that she did.
Put the following into indirect dpeech:
i. 'Are you going to let me in ?'
2. 'Did you go to France for your holidays or did you
stay at home?' he asked her.
3. 'What shall I do with your mail when you arc away?' asked
his landlady. 'Shall I forward it ?
I· 'What would you wait for if a wizard suddenly appeared and
offered you three wishes?' said the small boy.
5. 'Shall I ever understand?' he asked himself.
6. 'Will you be here for the next ten minutes?' she said.

Grammar II – ISLI
Prof. R.A. Gurruchaga