Teacher FMOS

GUINDO Med 6

Function : Reporting speech

Definitions:
1. A statement is either an affirmative or a negative sentence.
2. A speech is the way of speaking. It is how people speak to each other.
3. Direct Speech: In direct speech, we convey the message of the speaker in his own
actual words without any change to another person.
4. Indirect Speech: In indirect speech, we convey the message of the speaker in our
own words to another person
There are two ways of saying what a person has said:

Direct speech: Indirect speech or reported speech

Eg. The patient says, “I have malaria.” Eg. The patient says that she has Malaria.

Activity 1: Reporting statement

1. If the introductory verb is in the simple present, present perfect, future, they will
be no change of tense in reported speech excepted the pronouns.

Direct speech: Indirect speech or reported speech

Eg. Kady says, “the child sleeps.” Eg. Kady says that the child sleeps.
Bob has told me, “I’m busy” Bob has told me that he is busy.
Karim will say, “I’ll travel to Segou” Karim will say that he will travel to Segou.
Dr. Ly says, “I use scissors to cut this …………………………………………….
organ.” ………………………………………….....
The Forensic investigator says, “I’m …………………………………………….
investigating the crime scene.” …………………………………………….
The pathologist says, “I make a Y-shaped ……………………………………………
incision to open the dead body.
Following the same case, give three (3) sentences in direct speech and then turn them into
indirect speech. Use medical words
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
NB: When the reported clause of a direct speech is a universal truth or any historical
event or a habitual action (a part of the daily routine), then the tense of the indirect
speech doesn’t change, no matter in whatever tense the reporting verb (say) is.
E.g. Pr. Guindo said, “The sun rises in the east.”
Pr. Guindo said that the sun rises in the east.
Universal truth speeches include - any moral principles, natural phenomena,
mathematical equation, scientific statement etc.
Some examples:

Direct speech Indirect speech

Moral Principles and Proverb
Mr. Sen said, “Truth wins always.” Mr. Sen said that Truth wins always.
“Honesty is the best policy.” They said. They said that honesty is the best policy.
The teacher said to us, “Man is mortal.” The teacher told us that Man is mortal.
“An apple a day keeps the doctors away.” My grandfather said with an apple in his
My grandfather said with an apple in his hand that an apple a day keeps the doctors
hand. away.
She said, “A drowning man will clutch at She said that a drowning man will clutch
a straw.” at a straw.
I said, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” I said that cleanliness is next to godliness.
The lady said, “An empty vessel makes The lady said that an empty vessel makes
much noise.” much noise.
The leader said, “Where there is will there The leader said that where there is will
is a way.” there is a way.
I said, “A cat has nine lives.” I said that a cat has nine lives.
The man said, “A barking dog seldom The man said that a barking dog seldom
bites.” bites.
His wife said to him, “A bad workman His wife told him that a bad workman
always blames his tools.” always blames his tools.

Natural Phenomena:
a. Colour
He said to me, “Grass is green.” He told me that grass is green
Harry said, “Milk is white.” Harry said that milk is white.
She said to me, “Coal is black.” She told me that coal is black.
The mother said to the baby, “Sky is The mother told the baby that sky is blue.
blue.” She told us that the colour of human blood
She said to us, “The colour of human is red.
blood is red.” I said that water is colourless.
I said, “Water is colourless.”

a. Taste
“Water is tasteless.” Said the child. The child said that water is tasteless.
Mathematical Equations:
“Five and five make ten.” Said the girl. The girl said that five and five make four.
“Three and six make nine.” She said. She said that three and six make nine.
Scientific Statements:
The teacher said to the children, “Water The teacher told the children that water
freezes into ice below 0°C.” freezes into ice below 0°C.
He teacher said, “Acid reacts with a base The teacher said that Acid reacts with a
to form salt.” base to form salt.

Habitual Action
For a speech denoting a habitual action, words/phrases like every, daily, once a
day, once a week etc. are used in the reported speech.
Ram said, "We play cricket everyday." Ram said that they play cricket everyday.
She said to the boy, “What do you play She asked the boy what he plays evey
every afternoon?” afternoon.
I said to them, “I watch movies daily.” I told them that I watch movies daily.
She said to me, “Kalpit comes here once a she told me that Kalpit goes there once a
day.” day.
The lady said, “He calls me once in a blue The lady said that he calls her once in a
moon.” blue moon.

Narration of Historical Event

In case the reported speech is a historical fact, the aforementioned rule is not
followed.
Rather, the reported speech is written in the indirect as it is (in past tense)
Our teacher said, “The French Revolution Our teacher said that the French
was started in 1789.” Revolution was started in 1789.
I said to them, “Mahatma Gandhi died on I told them that Mahatma Gandhi died on
30th January, 1948.” 30th January, 1948.
Our teacher said to us, “The Russian Our teacher told us that the Russian
Revolution took place in 1917.” Revolution took place in 1917.
I said to him, “The English defeated the I told him that the English Defeated the
French in the Battle of Swalley.” French in the Battle of Swalley.
Ammie said to us, “Hitler attacked Poland Ammie said to us, “Hitler attacked Poland
first.” first.”
Other cases:
The teacher said, “The sun gives us light.” The teacher said that the sun gives us
Jack said, “The dog is a faithful animal.” light.
I said, “The leaning tower of Pisa is a Jack said that the dog is a faithful animal.
wonder.” I said that the leaning tower of Pisa is a
He said, “The earth moves around the wonder
sun.” He said that the earth moves around the
 sun.
2. But if the introductory verb is in a past tense (simple pat, preterit, past perfect),
the flowing changes will occur:
a. Change of tenses:

Direct speech Reported speech

Simple present Simple past
E.g: He said, “I fight malaria.” E.g: He said he fought malaria.
present continuous Past continuous
E.g: He said, “I am fighting malaria.” E.g. He said that he was fighting malaria.
Simple past Past perfect
E.g: He said, “I fought malaria.” E.g: He said that he had fought malaria
past continuous Past perfect continuous
E.g: He said, “ I was fighting malaria.” E.g: He said that he had been fighting malaria
Present perfect Past perfect continuous
E.g: He said, “I have fought malaria.” E.g: He said that he had fought malaria.
Present perfect continuous Past perfect continuous
E.g: He said, “I have been fighting malaria.” E.g: He said that he had been fighting malaria.
Past perfect Past perfect (tense doesn’t change)
E.g. He said, “I had fought malaria.” E.g. He said that he had fought malaria.
Future (simple) Conditional (present)
E.g: He said, “ I will fight malaria” E.g: He said that he would fight malaria.
Conditional (present) Past Conditional
E.g: He said, “I would fight malaria.” E.g: He said that he would have fought
malaria.
Imperative Infinitive
E.g: Ali said to his daughter, “ get me some Ali told his daughter to get him some water.
water.”

1. Dr. Sangare said, “I study English in ……………………………………………….

the USA.” ……………………………………………….
2. Medical Students said, “We often ………………………………………………
cured patients.” ………………………………………………
3. They said, “We will perform ……………………………………………….
autopsy next year.” ……………………………………………….
4. They said, “You need an injection to ………………………………………………
complete the whole treatment.” ………………………………………………
5. Pr. Doumbia said, “Hepatitis is a ……………………………………………….
dangerous sickness.” ……………………………………………….
6. He said, “My girl friend comes ………………………………………………
every Saturday.” ………………………………………………
7. He said, “I should be nurse ……………………………………………….
 b. Change the pronouns of the direct speech as below

Direct speech Reported speech

- I - he/she
- me - him/her
- you(subject) - he/she/I/they
- we - they
- us - them
- my - his/her
- you - him/her/me/them
- your - his/her/my/our
- this - that
- these - those
- here - there
- myself - himself/herself
c. Changing with the adverbs of time

Direct speech Reported speech

- today - that day
- yesterday - the day before
- tomorrow - the next day
- tonight - that night
- now - then/ at that time
- last night - the night before
- the next day - the following day
- next week - the following week
- the day before yesterday - two days before
- last week/month/year - the previous week/month/year
- the day after tomorrow - in two days’ time
- Ago - before
- Thus - so
- hence - thence
d. Changing with auxiliary and modal auxiliary verbs

Direct speech Reported speech/

- am, is - was
- are - were
- will - would
- shall - should
- has, have - had
 - may - might
- can - could

Examples: She sasid, “I didn’t see this man at the meeting yesterday.”
She said that she had not seen that man at the meeting the day before.
Examples: she said, “she is fine today.”
She said that she was fine that day.

Activity 2:
Question in Reported speech
In questions, when the verb “say” is used in the direct speech, it must be changed to an
enquiry verb like wonder, ask, inquire, want to know”

Direct speech Indirect speech

The boy said, “Where is Ama going?” The asked where Ama was going
She said, “Who comes from Ghana?” She asked who came from Ghana
He said, “what is your name?” He asked what my name was
He said, “when does the car arrive?” He wanted to know when the car arrived
She said, “do you love me?” He asked me if I love her.
She said, “Are you a student?” She wanted to know if I was a student.
NB:
1) The case of yes/no questions:
If the question is the type of yes or no, we will use if as linker between the introductory verb
and the reported question. Then, we must change the introductory verb into a verb of inquiry
(ask, wonder, want to know)
Examples: Sali says to Fanta, “Are you a musician now?”
Sali asks fanta if she is a musician now.
2) The case of wh-questions:
Contrary to the case of yes/no questions, “if” disappears and it is replaced by question word
such as: who, where, how, what, why, when. Then, we must change the introductory verb
into a verb of inquiry (ask, wonder, want to know.) the question words will be repeated in the
indirect speech.
Example: Marie Claire told me “when will go to the cinema?”
Marie Claire asked me when I would go the cinema.
Command in Reported speech

Direct speech Reported Speech

E.g: Ali said, “Come in.” E.g:Ali told me to go in
“Sweep the room.,” he said He ordered me to sweep the room.
“Don’t go out!”, she said She ordered me not to go out

Supplication in Reported speech:

Direct Speech Reported Speech

She said, “Please help me” She begged me to help her
She said, “could you bring my book this She asked me to bring her book that
night?” night
Threatening in Reported speech

Direct speech Reported speech

“I will kill you if you lose this gold”, she She threatened to kill me if I lost that
said gold

Suggestion in Reported speech

Direct speech Reported speech

She said, “why don’t we go to Segou?” She suggested us to go to Segou

Advice in reported speech

Direct speech Reported speech

Mum said, “don’t go near the river you Mum advised me not to go near the river
may fall in” I might fall in.

Summary: Reporting Verbs

Said, told and asked are the most common verbs used in indirect speech.
We use asked to report questions:
e.g: I asked Moussa what time the lesson started.
- We use told with an object.
e.g. Moussa told me she felt tired.
Note - Here me is the object.
- We usually use said without an object.
e.g. Moussa said she was going to teach online.
If said is used with an object we must include to;
e.g. Moussa said to me that she'd never been to China.
Note - We usually use told.
e.g. Lynne told me (that) she'd never been to China.
There are many other verbs we can use apart from said, told and asked.
These include:-
accused, admitted, advised, alleged, agreed, apologized, begged, boasted,
complained, denied, explained, implied, invited, offered, ordered, promised,
replied, suggested and thought.

Using them properly can make what you say much more interesting and informative.
Examples:
- He asked me to come to the party:
- He invited me to the party.
- He begged me to come to the party.
- He ordered me to come to the party.
- He advised me to come to the party.
- He advised me to come to the party.
- He suggested I should come to the party.

Explanation for more understanding

In reported speech, we normally use a “that clause”, but depending on the reporting
verbs used, other structures are also possible.

Verb + that + clause

Complain
Example: She complained that I was always late.
Deny
Example: She denied that she had flown in an aeroplane.
Explain
Example: He explained that it was an easy recipe to follow.
Exclaim/remark
Example: She exclaimed/remarked that he was a beautiful baby.
Promise
Example: She promised that she would call me.
Boast
Example: He boasted that he was a brilliant dentist.
Inform somebody
Example: He informed me that I would be called for an interview.
Claim
Example: He claimed that he knew the answer.
Agree
Example: He agreed that it was a beautiful hat.
Suggest
Example: He suggested that I (should) take the other road.

Verb + to + infinitive
Agree
Example: He agreed to cook for me.
Offer
Example: He offered to carry her baby.
Refuse
Example: She refused to buy me a car.
Demand
Example: He demanded to be told the truth.
Threaten
Example: He threatened to punish me if I didn’t behave myself.
Promise
Example: He promised to marry her when he returned.
Claim
Example: He claimed to have heard her say that.
Verb + Indirect Object + to + infinitive
Advice
Example: He advised me to take a coat.
Allow
Example: He allowed me to park over there.
Beg
Example: She begged me to call the police.
Command
Example: He commanded them to drop their weapons.
Encourage
Example: He encouraged me to phone her.
Forbid
Example: My doctor forbade me to eat sweets.
Invite
Example: She invited me to go to his house.
Want
Example: He wanted me to drink a cup of tea.
Instruct
Example: He instructed me to insert coin.
Permit
Example: My parents permitted me to travel with my friends.
Urge
Example: He urged me to finish reading the book.
Order
She ordered me to get out of bed.
Remind
Example: She reminded me to take out the garbage.
Warn
Example: She warned me not to go near the oven.

Verb + “ing” form

Admit (to)
Example: He admitted (to) stealing/having stolen her money.
Accuse somebody of
Example: She accused me of breaking the cup.
Apologize for
Example: He apologized for shouting/having shouted at me.
Boast about/ of
Example: He boasted of/about being the cleverest of all.
Complain to somebody of
Example: She complained to me of having a toothache.
Deny
Example: He denied murdering/having murdered his wife.
Insist on
Example: She insisted on me/my wearing warm clothes.
Suggest
Example: She suggested going to the theatre.

Verb + how
Explain to somebody
Example: He explained to me how to make polite conversation.
Wonder
Wonder where/what/why/how + clause

When the subject of the reporting verb is not the same as the subject in the reported question.
Example:
 She wondered how he could reach the top.
 He wondered where Joan was.
 He wondered why she was crying.

‘Wonder + whether + to-inf or clause’ or ‘Wonder where/what/how + to-inf or clause’

When the subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject of the verb.
Example:
 He wondered whether to buy that blender.
 He wondered where he had gone wrong in his calculations.
 He wondered what he should wear.
 He wondered how to get to the post office.

NB: When turning the direct speech into indirect speech we remove the comma and
inverted commas or quotation marks.
EXERCISES

Fill in the blank spaces with a verb in the correct tense. The first one has been done
for you.
Direct speech Indirect speech
1. “I am very tired,” said Dad. Dad said that he was very tired.
2. “You look very handsome, Mike,” said Mom told Mike that he……… very
Mom. handsome.

3. The teacher said, “Sam has not made any The teacher said that Sam ……not made
mistakes. any mistakes.
4. “I am losing my patience,” said Mr. Mr. Carter said that he………. losing his
Carter. patience.

5. “You can come to my house for dinner,” Maggie told Jason that he …………come to
Maggie told Jason her house for dinner.

6. Dad said, “Hurry up or we will be late.” Dad told us to hurry up or we…………. be

late.

7. “The train is coming,” said Peter. Peter said that the train coming.

8. “I have cleaned up my room,” said Kathleen said that she……… cleaned up

Kathleen her room.

9. The teacher said, “It is time to stop The teacher said that it……….. time to stop
writing.” writing.

10. “I don’t want to watch TV,” said John John said that he…………… want to watch
TV.