Reported speech

Direct speech Tom: Yesterday I talked to my sister Indirect speech Tom said (that) the day before he had talked to his sister. That is optional: you can say it or not.

Reported speech

When transforming a sentence from direct to indirect speech four things have to be taken into account. 1. A new introductory verb appears in the sentence. 2. Tenses change. 3. Subjects and pronouns change. 4. Time and space references change.

Reported speech
1. A new introductory verb appears in the sentence Tom: Yesterday I talked to my sister Tom said (that) the day before he had talked to his sister. The introductory verb is related to the speaking action.

Reported speech
1. A new introductory verb appears in the sentence There are many verbs that can be used: say, tell, ask, claim, explain, state, refuse, offer, deny, admit, suggest... Every verb confers a different meaning to the sentence.

Reported speech
1. A new introductory verb appears in the sentence Pay attention to the difference between say and tell. Peter said it was late. Peter said to Mary it was late. Peter said Mary it was late. Peter told me it was late. Peter told it was late. Peter told to me it was late. After tell, you always need who; after say, you can include that information or not.

Reported speech
1. A new introductory verb appears in the sentence Compare the following sentences: Tom said it was late. Tom claimed it was late. Tom insisted it was late. Tom complained it was late.

The words said are the same, but the introductory verb used slightly modifies the meaning.

Reported speech
2. Tense change Tom: Yesterday I talked to my sister. Tom said (that) the day before he had talked to his sister.

Reported speech
2. Tenses change Look at the photocopy. Try to complete the blanks with the correct tense. Afterwards, try to complete the chart with the corresponding tense. You have got five minutes.

Reported speech
2. Tenses change She said she didn't like New York. He told me he was staying in the Hilton. They said I would have a wonderful time. She said she was going to buy some jeans. He told me he had been to Chicago twice. She said she had seen a Broadway show.

Reported speech
2. The tense changes

Direct speech Present simple Present continuous Present perfect Past simple Past continuous Past perfect Future Conditional Can

Indirect speech Past simple Past continuous Past perfect Past perfect* Past continuous Past perfect Conditional Conditional Could

* Sometimes past simple stays the same.

Reported speech
3. Subjects and pronouns change
Tom: Yesterday I talked to my sister Tom said (that) the day before he had talked to his sister.

Reported speech
4. Time and space references change.
Tom: Yesterday I talked to my sister Tom said (that) the day before he had talked to his sister.

Reported speech
4. Time and space references change.
Time and space may be different, since the words may be repeated in a different place and some days after they were originally said. For example, if Tom says on Monday Yesterday I talked to my sister this yesterday means Sunday. If we repeated the words on Wednesday, yesterday means Tuesday, not Sunday.

Reported speech
4. Time and space references change.
With a partner, try to complete the chart you've been given.
D ire c t s p e e c hIn d ire c t s p e e c h To da y To m o rro w Y e s te rda y This (w e e k) The s e (da y s ) Ne xt (s um me r) L a s t (mo nth) No w (Tw o y e a rs ) a go He re

Reported speech
4. Time and space references change.

Direct speech Today Tomorrow Yesterday This (week) These (days) Next (summer) Last (month) Now (Two years) ago Here

Indirect speech That day The following day The day before That (week) Those (days) The following (summer) The previous (month) Then (Two years) before There

Reported speech
4. Time and space references change.
1. She said (that) the plane took off at 14.30. 2. They said (that) they wouldn't be able to pay until the following week. 3. The receptionist said (that) she left/had left the hotel at ten twenty. 4. Kate said (that) she was taking her holidays in August. 5. He said (that)n he had never seen anything like that. 6. The guide told them (that) they couldn't take photos there. 7. The receptionist said that the lift didn't go to the top floor. 8.The travel agent told them to get to the airport early.

Reported speech
4. Time and space references change.
1. said 2. told 3. tell 4. says 5. tell 6. say

Reported speech
Commands 'Come here', said the mother to her son. The mother told her son to come there. 'Don't phone Mary', said Peter to Sally. Peter told Sally not to phone Mary.

Reported speech
Commands 'Come here', said the mother to her son. The mother told her son to come there. 'Don't phone Mary', said Peter to Sally. Peter told Sally not to phone Mary. Commands are usually introduced by the following introductory verbs: tell, say, order, beg, remind, etc.

Reported speech
Commands 1. They told us not to leave our luggage unattended. 2. He asked me to open the window. 3. The flight attendant told passengers to fasten their seat belts. 4. He asked us not to smoke. 5. The receptionist told us to take the lift to the second floor. 6. He told us not to go there in July or August.

Reported speech
Questions Questions can be divided into two categories: a) Yes/No questions: the answer to the question is yes/no. Are you coming tonight? Yes, I am. b) Wh- questions: the answer to the question is not yes/no, but any other answer. Why are you studying English? Because I like it.

Reported speech
Yes/No Questions Peter: 'Are you coming with me?'. Peter asked me if/whether I was coming with him. - The verbs you normally use to introduce the reported sentence are ask, want to know, wonder, etc. - You need the particles if/whether (they have the same meaning) - You have to rewrite the question as if it was an affirmative sentence (no inversions, no auxiliary verbs).

Reported speech
Wh- Questions Peter: 'What's your name?'. Peter wanted to know me what my name was. - The verbs you normally use to introduce the reported sentence are ask, want to know, wonder, etc. - You have to rewrite the question as if it was an affirmative sentence (no inversions, no auxiliary verbs).

Reported speech
Wh- Questions Peter: 'Where does she come from?'. Peter wondered where she came from. - The verbs you normally use to introduce the reported sentence are ask, want to know, wonder, etc. - You have to rewrite the question as if it was an affirmative sentence (no inversions, no auxiliary verbs).

Reported speech
Questions

1. She asked him if/whether he knew New York well. 2. She asked him where the nearest bank was. 3. She asked him if/whether he could show her the way 4. She asked him how much a subway was. 5. She asked him what time the banks opened. 6. She asked him if/whether it was far to Fifth Avenue.