CHAPTER 12

12.1. STATEMENTS IN REPORTED SPEECH

DIRECT SPEECH

REPORTED SPEECH

REPORTING VERB IN THE PRESENT, PRESENT PERFECT, FUTURE

WILL ENTAIL NO TENSE CHANGE:
I enjoy walking in the park says Emily.
Emily says (that) she enjoys walking
in the park.
Ill never get married again. Tom says to his Tom says to his mother that he will
mother.
never get married again.
Ive been cooking this pie for hours says
Mother says (that) she has been
mother.
cooking that pie for hours.
Im trying to calm down the situation says
Grandmother says (that) she is
grandmother.
trying to calm down the situation.
REPORTING VERB IN THE PAST TENSE WILL ENTAIL TENSE
CHANGES:
SIMPLE PRESENT

SIMPLE PAST
I never eat pork he explained.
He explained (that) he never ate
pork.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS

PAST CONTINUOUS
Im waiting for the bus she said.
She said (that) she was waiting for
the bus.
PRESENT PERFECT

PAST PERFECT
I have found the key to the little box he said He said (that) he had found the key
to the little box.
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Ive been working on this project for

The designer said (that) she had
months the designer said.
been working on that project for
months.
PAST TENSE

PAST PERFECT
I fed the pigeons said the little girl.
The little girl said (that) she had fed
the pigeons.
FUTURE

FUTURE-IN-THE-PAST
Ill be in London on Monday its a promise, He promised (that) he would be in
he said.
London on Monday.
* NO CHANGE FOR SHOULD/WOULD
I should/ would really like to see the portrait I said (that)I should / would really
I said
like to see the portrait.

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12.2. QUESTIONS IN REPORTED SPEECH

DIRECT QUESTION
INDIRECT QUESTION
SIMPLE PRESENT
SIMPLE PAST
How old are you? I asked.
I asked how old you/ we were /he was.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PAST CONTINUOUS
Where is she going? he asked .
He asked where she was going.
PAST TENSE
PAST PERFECT
Where was your cousin? he inquired.
He inquired where my cousin had been.
*the question word (how, where, etc) is repeated in the indirect question
*the tense changes are the same as in the case of statements
Did you actually see the accident? the
The policeman wanted to know
policeman asked.
if/whether I had actually seen the
accident.
Do you want to ensure your estate or
The insurance agent asked whether or
not? the insurance agent asked.
not / if I wanted to insure my estate.
Shall / Should I go on with this? he
(1) He wondered whether to go on with
wondered.
that.
(2) He wondered whether he should go
on with that.
When the direct question has no question word if/whether must be used in the
indirect question (if more usual; whether emphasizes the idea of choice)
Direct questions become statements in reported speech ( mind the word order!)

12.3. EXCLAMATIONS IN REPORTED SPEECH

What a terrifying atmosphere! or
How terrifying!
Exclamations beginning with What a /
How ... can be reported by:
Capital! he exclaimed.
Thank you! he said.
Good luck! they said.
Happy Easter!, we said.

(1) He exclaimed that it was a terrifying

atmosphere / it was terrifying.
(2) He gave an exclamation of terror.
(1) exclaim/ say (that)
(2) give an exclamation of
(3) with an exclamation of
He gave an exclamation of pleasure.
He thanked me.
They wished me luck.
We wished them a happy Easter.

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12.4. COMMANDS, REQUESTS, AND ADVICE

IN REPORTED SPEECH
DIRECT SPEECH

INDIRECT SPEECH

Commands
IMPERATIVE

Stand up Danny father said.

Dont run too far from the camp, boys!
the teacher said.
You must forget all about this young
man said the parents to their daughter.
You leave this company for ever!said the
manager.
Do, please, allow me to watch the MTV
Awards she begged.
Will you shut up! / Shut up, will you!
Requests

INFINITIVE
Father asked Danny to stand up.
The teacher warned the boys not to run
too far from the camp.
The parents ordered their daughter to
forget all about that young man.
The manager orederd him to leave the
company for ever.
She begged me to allow her watch the
MTV Awards.
He ordered us to shut up.

REQUEST PATTERNS

Could you help me cross the street? said

that old lady.
Sit down, stop smoking and fasten your
seat belts said the stewardess.
You might photocopy these papers for
me said my boss.
Please, dont risk your life said my
mother.
If you would just sign the form, please
said the benk clerk.
Advice

INFINITIVE
That old lady asked me to help her cross
the street.
The stewradess invited us to sit down,
stop smoking and fasten our seat belts.
My boss asked me to photocopy those
papers for him.
My mother implored me not to risk my
life.
The bank clerk invited me to sign the
form.

ADVICE PATTERNS

You had better send for a doctor said the

nurse.
If I were you Id stop smoking I said.
Go on, apply for the job! James said.
Do try once more! said Kikis friends
encouragingly.
Why dont you join our club? he said.

INFINITIVE
The nurse advised me to send for a
doctor.
I advised her to stop smoking.
James urged me to apply for the job.
Kikis friends encouraged her to try
once more.
He recommended me to join their club.

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12.5. MODALS AND REPORTED SPEECH

MODALS WHICH DO NOT CHANGE
MUST expressing deduction, permanent command, intention remains unchanged
I meet him every day; he must live near
She said that he must live near there.
here she said
The safe door must always be kept
The superior said that the safe door must
locked said the superior.
always be kept locked.
I must have a party to celebrate my latest The hotel manager said he must have a
success in the business world said the
party to celebrate his
hotel manager.
NEED
Mother said You neednt wait.
Mother said that I neednt wait.
MODALS WHICH [CAN] UNDERGO TRANSFORMATIONS
MUST expressing obligation
Victor Newman said You must start
immediately.
NEED
Mary said If you would lend me your
dictionary I neednt go to the library.

Victor Newman said that she must / had

to start immediately.
Mary said that if I would lend her my
dictionary she neednt/ wouldnt have to
go to the library.

MODALS WHICH EITHER CHANGE OR UNDERGO

TRANSFORMATIONS OR WHICH MAY BE REPLACED
BY OTHER FORMS
MUST expressing obligation undergoes transformations when:
* the obligation depends on some future action
If it goes on raining over the night we
The old farmer said that if it went on
must/ will have to leave the farmhouse
raining over the night they would have
said the old farmer.
to leave the farmhouse.
* the obligation is presumably fulfilled by the time the speech is reported
I must brush my teeth she said and
She said that she had to brush her teeth
headed for her room.
[and she headed for her room].
NEED I/ YOU/ HE ?
Need I finish my homework before I go
The little boy asked if he had to finish
to meet my friends? asked the little boy.
his homework

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12.6. INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Exercise1. Comment on the changes occurring in turning from direct speech into
reported speech.
Exercise 2. Classify the reporting verbs according to the type of sentence they introduce:
statement, question, exclamation, order, command, advice, promise, suggestion, offer,
request
To think, to believe, to assume, to suppose, to suspect, to know, add, admit, affirm, ask,
inquire, question, command, direct, instruct, invite, forbid, recommend, urge, warn,
authorize, tothreaten, to exclaim, to query, to promise, to report, to state, to testify, to
observe, to emphasize, to remark, to boast, to remind.
Exercise 3. Rephrase the following exclamations to convey the same meaning:
1. How wonderful my presentation was!
He boasted
2. How mysterious her words were!
She emphasized
3. How impressive that fresco was!
The guide stressed
4. How nice of him to admit that he may be wrong!
She ironically remarked
5. How terribly distressing!
He exclaimed
6. What a warm welcome!
He admitted
7. What an unexpected appearance on this modest stage!
The speaker welcomed the guest star and exclaimed
8. What an overwhelming success!
The editor-in-chief stressed
Exercise 4. Turn the following sentences into reported speech:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

I suppose he has been paying you compliments said father mockingly.

I dont know if he will be able to comesaid Ann.
I should like to come to the theatre with you my little brother told me.
Why have you stopped playing, Dorian? asked the lady near the window.
Shall we have lunch with our little Dutchess? asked our guest of honour.
How curious it all seemed! they all exclaimed.
Thank you, Leaf, thank you for your kindness said Alice.

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8. How exquisite life had once been! How gorgeous in its pomp and decoration!
said grannie.
9. What could they learn from that? she asked
10. I must go out and sit in the garden the old man said
11. You are talking about things of which you know nothing, said Dorian.
12. I must speak and you must listen the boss said authoritatively.
Exercise 5. Turn the following sentences into direct speech:
1. They say you corrupt everyone with whom you become intimate.
2. I told him that it was absurd.
3. You ask me about Henry Ashton and Young Perth.
4. I wont tell you that I am dissatisfied with what I have done of him.
5. The young man said to Basil that he was waiting.
6. You ask me why Berwick leaves a room when I enter it.
7. You told me you had destroyed my photos.
8. She says she never sees you at balls.
9. I thought you would be tired of Gladys.
10. John told Nick to tell the maiden that he wanted a cup of tea.
11. He regretted that he had not told Basil the true reason.
12. She told me she had discovered a wonderful place for a quiet weekend.
Exercise 6. Translate the excerpt into Romanian and turn the sentences into reported
speech:
Come, Alan, you must decide at once.
I cannot do it, he said, mechanically
You must. You have no choice. Dont delay.
Is there a fire in the room upstairs? he asked hesitatingly.
Yes, there is a gas fire with asbestos.
I shall have to go home and get some things from the laboratory.
No, Alan, you must not leave the house. Write out on a sheet of note-paper what you
want, and my servant will take a cab and bring the things back to you.
(Adapted from O. Wilde, The Portrait of Dorian Gray)
Exercise 7. Point out the direct and the indirect speech sentences and give their reversed
version:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

I have just been telling him what a capital sitter you were.
Dont be so indifferent! mother said.
I swore I would kill you in return.
What about your country house and the life that is led there? I asked.
She said that he was very earnest and had a beautiful nature.
I shall show you my soul. You shall see the thing that you fancy only God can see he
added.
7. I dont know what she will say to you.

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8. Cant you see what I am going through? the crying woman asked.
9. You have chattered enough about corruption, father intervened.
10. Dont shrug your shoulders like that! she added.
11. He wanted to know how long my parents had been married.
12. Who can you trust in this situation? the old man wondered.
Exercitiul 8. Turn this letter excerpt into English:
De o sum de zile n-am mai primit nici o scrisoare de la mata...
Te-ai suprat? N-ai primit scrisoarea mea din urm? Ori ai alte cuvinte ca s numi scrii. Poate eti ocupat cu mutatul ori cu casele proprii...
i srut minile mici i gentile i te ntreb ce i-i? [] Rspunde lui Emin. []
Al tu Emin.
(Dulcea mea Doamn, Eminul meu iubit Coresponden inedit Mihai
Eminescu Veronica Micle, Ed. Polirom, 2001)
Exercitiul 9. Turn into reported speech:
Soames walked out of the garden door, crossed the lawn, stood on the path above
the river, turned round and walked back to the garden door, without having realised that
he had moved. The sound of wheels crunching the drive convinced him that time had
passed, and the doctor gone. What, exactly, had he said?
This is the position, Mr. Forsyte. I can make pretty certain of her life if I operate,
but the baby will be born dead. If I dont operate, the baby will most probably be born
alive, but its a great risk for the mother a great risk. In either case I dont think she can
ever have another child. In her state she obviously cant decide for herself, and we cant
wait for her mother. Its for you to make the decision, while Im getting whats necessary.
I shall be back within the hour.
The decision! What a decision! No time to get a specialist down! No time for
anything!
(J. Galsworthy, Forsyte Saga)
Exercitiul 10. Turn into reported speech:
I wonder will the Home Rulers ever be able to turn the Royal Bank of Ireland into an
Irish House of Parliament? murmured the mother, as she glanced out of the window.
God forbid theyd ever be able to turn such a beautiful building into a rendesvous of
rowdyism, said Ella fervently.
Parnells the only gentleman in the whole gang, said Tom. They were watching their
chance for years, and Kitty OShea is only an excuse for downing him. If they throw him
over, clowns and pantaloons in a pantomime parliament are all that they can hope to be.
He should have more respect for himself than to go and carry on with a married
woman, said Ella.
If all thats said about him is true, he should do the decent thing, and resign at once,
said Archie.

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Ay, said Tom, and give the guttermen the power.

Theyre not all guttermen, said Archie, and even if they were, they deserve all the
more credit for lifting themselves out of it.
Theres no credit going to them, said Tom, for its Parnell, the man theyre hounding,
that lifted them out of the gutter, and planted them on their feet.
Why doesnt he get hold of some single woman, inquired Ella, and leave the married
women alone?
The people are showing what they think of Parnell, anyway, said Michael.
Ay, the ignorant superstitious country gulls who walk in daily dread of their parish
priests, said Tom scornfully.
How do you know theyre in dread of their parish priests? asked Michael.
What about the priest who threatened to turn into a goat anyone that dared to say a word
in favour of Parnell? Read the papers, man. And Tom spat out of the window.
What about the men that are standing by him are they in dread of the parish priests?
Read the papers, read the papers, man.
He has no right to make a fool of himself over a married woman, persisted Ella.
Oh, we all know, said Michael, turning fiercely on Ella, that he has no right to make a
fool of himself over a woman, married or single, so pocket that stuff and button it up, and
let him answer the question of whether or no those who are standing up for Parnell are in
dread of their parish priests?
What about the priests preaching against Parnell from the altars? asked Tom.
Name the priests, name them! said Michael loudly; what altars, which altars, whose
altars?
Read the papers, repeated Tom; you wouldnt be so ignorant if you read the papers.
I suppose you think you are the only one who was brought up to be able to read the
papers?
Read the papers, read the papers, man, chanted Tom.
(Sean OCasey, I Knock at the Doors)
Exercitiul 11. Turn into reported speech:
Dr. Sloper began. Your brother wants to marry my daughter. I want to learn
about him. Tell me about your brother.
I find talking about my brother difficult, she said.
With a husband I dont like, Catherine will get nothing from me when I die. She
has ten thousand from her mother and nothing more.
Does Morris know this? she asked.
Ill be happy to tell him.
You say you dont like Morris. Why?
Hes a good man to talk to at a dinner. But I dont want him to be my daughters
husband. I think hes more interested in Morris Townsend than in Catherine Sloper. Tell
me Im wrong.
No, you are not wrong. But we are all interested in our lives, I think, said Mrs.
Montgomery. And hes handsome.

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Some young men do as little as they can, said the doctor. They live on the love
of other people. And ninety-nine times out of a hundred, those other people are women.
You, my sister, Lavinia, and Catherine, are all working to make an easy life for Morris.
Mrs. Montgomerys eyes were suddenly wet. She moved her head proudly. I
dont know how you know this! she cried.
Now, said the doctor. Answer this: Do you give your brother money? She
answered no.
Do you have much money? She answered no.
Does your brother know this? She answered yes.
I hear that your brother teaches your children.
(Henry James, Washington Square)
Exercitiul 12. Translate into English:
ION: i-au zis unii ce mai la deal la vale, am spus i eu... c tot eti dumneata
aici... romn de-ai notri... voinic-voinic... detept-detept ofier-ofier... ce s
zic... i-aa
ne-am hotrt s te rugm s fii cpitanul nostru... Iaca asta era...
MIRCEA (ctre Florea i Ecaterina): Voi tiai de asta?
FLOREA: Da
MIRCEA: i care e prerea voastr?
ECATERINA: Mai trenuie prerea noastr?
MIRCEA: Mcar a tatii Ce zici?
FLOREA: Despre ce?
MIRCEA: Despre oferta asta
FLOREA: C-i o mare cinste care ni se face o cinste neateptat
MIRCEA: Asta-i prerea ta?
FLOREA: Nu-i vine a crede, poate?
MIRCEA: Nu
ECATERINA: Mirceo!
MIRCEA: n primul rnd, m mir cum tatl meu nu gsete altceva mai bun de zis
dect c e o cinste oferta asta de cpitnie a unei bande ce n-are nici n clin nici n
mnec cu armata
ION: Pi, avem treizeci i opt de solai, cona Mircea.
MIRCEA: Ce fel de soldai?
ECATERINA: Mircea ia seama ce vorbeti.
FLOREA: Las-l n pace s spuie S-i rspund eu la ntrebarea ta: snt soldai
romni
MIRCEA: Ce caut n codri
FLOREA: Tu ntrebi?
ECATERINA: Mircea! Florea, te rog
FLOREA: Dar las-m n pace i zi, ce caut n codri? Dar unde-ar trebui s
fie? Rspunde te rog ar trebui s fie pe front? Nu? Pe front acolo sunt ostaii
vrednici Acolo ai un frate, dac nu m nel, i-acolo ar trebui s fie toi! Nu?
MIRCEA: i ce-i cu asta?

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FLOREA: A! Ce-i cu asta? De ce ntrebi atunci ce caut n codri? Ai vrea s fie

vri pe sub paturi ori n ascunztori speciale?
MIRCEA: Tat! Dar
ECATERINA: Floreo nu mai continua, mi sfie inima discuia asta
FLOREA: ie i-o sfie? A mea e sfiat toat! O ran din care fiece vorb a lui
rupe frmi Dar cine eti tu? Cine? Ce vrednicie ai artat? Spune!
ECATERINA: Pentru toi dumnezeii, te rog Floreo termin!
MIRCEA: Dar nu-mi trebuie aprarea dumitale, mam Ce vin mi poi aduce
mie la urma urmei? Ce vin? () Mi se pare c snt liber s am o prere, i o
am
(Victor Ion Popa, Ap vie)

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