GRAMMAR
Reporting Verbs
When using reported speech, most students learn to use "say" and "tell":Examples:
John told me he was going to stay late at work.
Peter said he wanted to visit his parents that weekend.
These forms are perfectly correct for reporting what others have said. However, there are a number of other reporting verbs which can more accurately describe what someone has said. These verbs take a variety of structures. The following list gives you reporting verbs in various categories based on sentence structure. Notice that a number of verbs can take more than one form.
| verb object infinitive | verb infinitive | verb (that) | verb gerund | verb object preposition gerund | verb preposition gerund |
| advise encourage invite remind warn | agree decide offer promise refuse threaten | admit agree decide deny explain insist promise recommend suggest | deny recommend suggest | accuse blame congratulate | apologize insist |
| Examples: Jack encouraged me to look for a new job. They invited all their friends to attend the presentation. | Examples: She offered to give him a lift to work. My brother refused to take no for an answer. | Examples: Tom admitted (that) he had tried to leave early. She agreed (that) we needed to reconsider our plans. | Examples: He denied having anything to do with her. Ken suggested studying early in the morning. | Examples: They accused the boys of cheating on the exam. She blamed her husband for missing the train. | Examples: He apologized for being late. She insisted on doing the washing up. |
GRAMMAR EXPANDED
When the introductory verb is in a present, present perfect or future tense we can report the direct speech withoutany change of tense:
PAUL (phoning from the station): I'm trying to get a taxi.
ANN (to Mary, who is standing beside her): Paul says he is trying to get a taxi.
В But indirect speech is usually introduced by a verb in the past tense. Verbs in the direct speech have then to be changed into a corresponding past tense. The changes are shown in the following table. (The that has been omittedin the last five examples.)
Direct speech Indirect speech
Simple present Simple past
7 never eat meat, ' he explained = He explained that he never ate
meat.
Present continuous Past continuous
'I'm waiting for Ann, ' he said = He said (that) he was waiting forAnn.
Present perfect Past perfect
I have found a flat, ' he said = He said (that) he had found a flat.
Present perfect continuous Past perfect continuous
He said, 'I've been waiting for ages'
= He said he had been waiting for ages.
Simple past Past perfect
I took it home with me, ' she said
= She said she had taken it home with her.
Future Conditional
He said, 'I will/shall be in Paris on Monday
= He said he would be in Paris on Monday.
Future continuous Conditional continuous
I will/shall be using the car myself on the 24th, ' she said
= She said she 'd be using the car herself on the 24th.
But note, Conditional Conditional
/ said, 7 would/should like to = / said I would/should like to see it.
see it' (No tense change)
'I/we shall' normally becomes he/she/they would in indirect speech:
I shall be 21 tomorrow,' said Bill = Bill said he would be 21 the following day.
But if the sentence is reported by the original speaker, 'I/we shall' can become either I/we should or I/we would,would is the more common.
Similarly 'I/we should' usually becomes he/she/they would in indirect speech:
If I had the instruction manual I should/would know what to do,'said Bill =
Bill said that if he had the instructions he would know what to do. But if the sentence is reported by the originalspeaker 'I/we should' can either remain unchanged or be reported by would.
See last example in В above.
Past tenses sometimes remain unchanged
A In theory the past tense changes to the past perfect, but in spoken English it is often left unchanged, provided
this can be done without causing confusion about the relative times of the actions. For example, He said, 7 loved
her' must become He said he had loved her as otherwise there would be a change of meaning. But He said, 'Ann
arrived on Monday' could be reported He said Ann arrived/had arrived on Monday.
В The past continuous tense in theory changes to the past perfect continuous but in practice usually remains unchanged except when it refers to a completed action:
She said, 'We were thinking of selling the house but we have decided
not to' = She said that they had been thinking of selling the house but had
decided not to. But He said, 'When I saw them they were playing tennis' =
He said that when he saw them they were playing tennis.
С In written English past tenses usually do change to past perfect but there are the following exceptions:
1 Past/Past continuous tenses in time clauses do not normally change:
He said, 'When we were living/lived in Paris . . .' = He said that when they were living in Paris . .
The main verb of such sentences can either remain unchanged orbecome the past perfect:
He said, 'When we were living/lived in Paris we often saw Paul' = He said that when they were living/lived in Paris they often saw/had often seen Paul.
2 A past tense used to describe a state of affairs which still exists when the speech is reported remains unchanged:
She said, I decided not to buy the house because it was on a main road' =
She said that she had decided not to buy the house because it was on a main road.
Unreal past tenses (subjunctives) in indirect speech
A Unreal past tenses after wish, would rather/sooner and it is time do not change:
'We wish we didn't have to take exams,' said the children = The children said they wished they didn't have to take exams. 'Bill wants to go alone,' said Ann, 'but I'd rather he went with a group' = : Ann said that Bill wanted to go alone but that she 'd rather he went with a group.
'It's time we began planning our holidays,' he said = He said that it was time they began planning their holidays.
В I/he/she/we/they had better remains unchanged, you had better can remain unchanged or be reported by advise + object + infinitive ):
'The children had better go to bed early,' said Tom =
Tom said that the children had better go to bed early.
'You 'd better not drink the water,' she said =
She advised/warned us not to drink the water.
С Conditional sentences types 2 and 3 remain unchanged : 'If my children were older I would emigrate,'he said = He said that if his children were older he would emigrate.
might, ought to, should, would, used to in indirect statements
A might remains unchanged except when used as a request form:
He said, 'Ann might ring today' = He said that Ann might ring (that day). But 'You might post these for me,' he said = He asked me to post them for him.
В ought to/should for obligation or assumption remains unchanged:
'They ought to/should widen this road,' I said = I said that they ought to/should widen the road. I said, 'I should be back by six' (I assume I will be) = / said I
should be back by six.
С But you ought to/you should, if used to express advice rather than obligation, can be reported by advise + object+ infinitive, you must can also express advice and be reported similarly.
'You ought to/should/must read the instructions,' said Ann = Ann advised/urged/warned me to read the instructions.
D The advice form 'If I were you I should/would . . .' is normally reported by advise + object + infinitive:
'If I were you I'd wait,' I said = / advised him to wait.
E The request form 'I should/would be (very) grateful if you
would . . .' is normally reported by ask + object + infinitive:
'I'd be very grateful if you 'd keep me informed,' he said= He asked me to keep him informed.
F would in statements doesn't change.
G used to doesn't change:
I know the place well because I used to live here,' he explained = He explained that he knew the place well because he used to live there.
could in indirect statements
A could for ability
1 could for present ability does not change:
I can 't/couldn 't stand on my head,' he said = He said he couldn 't stand on his head.
2 could for future ability can remain unchanged or be reported by would
be able:
He said, I could do it tomorrow' = He said he could do it/would be able to do it the next day.
3 could in type 2 conditional sentences is reported similarly:
'If I had the tools I could mend it,' he said =He said that if he had the tools he could/would be able to mend it.would be able here implies that the supposition may be fulfilled.
(Perhaps he'll be able to borrow tools.)
4 could in type 3 conditional sentences is reported unchanged.
5 could for past ability can remain unchanged or be reported by had been able:
I could read when I was three!' she boasted =
She boasted that she could/had been able to read when she was three.
В could for permission
1 In type 2 conditional sentences could can remain unchanged or be reported by would be allowed to:
'If I paid my fine I could walk out of prison today,' he said =
He said that if he paid his fine he could/would be allowed to walk etc.
2 could in the past can remain unchanged or be reported by was/were allowed to or had been allowed to:
He said, 'When I was a boy I could stay up as long as I liked' = He said that when he was a boy he could/was allowed to stay up or He said that as a boy he was/had been allowed etc.
Indirect speech: pronoun and adjective
A Pronouns and possessive adjectives usually change from first or second to third person except when the speaker is reporting his own words:
He said, 'I've forgotten the combination of my safe' =
He said that he had forgotten the combination of his safe.
I said, I like my new house' = I said that I liked my new house, (speaker reporting his own words) Sometimes a noun must be inserted to avoid ambiguity:
Tom said, 'He came in through the window' would not normally be reported Tom said he had come in through the window as this might imply that Tom himself had come in this way: but if we use a noun there can be no confusion:
Tom said that the man/burglar'/cat etc. had come in . . .
Pronoun changes may affect the verb:
He says, 'I know her' = He says he knows her. He says, I shall be there' = He says that he will be there.
В this and these
this used in time expressions usually becomes that:
He said, 'She is coming this week' =
He said that she was coming that week.
Otherwise this and that used as adjectives usually change to the:
He said, 'I bought this pearl/these pearls for my mother' =
He said that he had bought the pearl/pearls for his mother.
this, these used as pronouns can become it, they/them:
He showed me two bullets. 'I found these embedded in the panelling,'
he said =
He said he had found them embedded in the panelling.
He said, 'We will discuss this tomorrow' =
He said that they would discuss it/the matter the next day. this, these (adjectives or pronouns), used to indicate choice or to distinguish some things from others, can become the one(s) near him etc., or the statement can be reworded:
I'll have this (one),' he said to me =
He said he would have the one near him or
He pointed to/touched/showed me the one he wanted.
Expressions of time and place in indirect speech A Adverbs and adverbial phrases of time change as follows:
Direct Indirect
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/year etc. the following week/year etc.
last week/year etc. the previous week/year etc.
a year etc. ago a year before/the previous year
I saw her the day before yesterday,' he said = He said he 'd seen her two days before.
Til do it tomorrow,' he promised = He promised that he would do it the next day.
'I'm starting the day after tomorrow, mother,' he said =He told his mother that he was starting in two days' time.
She said, 'My father died a year ago' = She said that her father had died a year before/the previous year.
В But if the speech is made and reported on the same day these time changes are not necessary:
At breakfast this morning he said, Til be very busy today' =
At breakfast this morning he said that he would be very busy today.
С Logical adjustments are of course necessary if a speech is reported one/two days after it is made.
On Monday Jack said to Tom: I'm leaving the day after tomorrow.
If Tom reports this speech on the next day (Tuesday) he will probably say:
Jack said he was leaving tomorrow. If he reports it on Wednesday, he will probably say:
Jack said he was leaving today.
D here can become there but only when it is clear what place is meant: At the station he said, Til be here again tomorrow' = He said that he 'd be there again the next day. Usually here has to be replaced by some phrase:
She said, 'You can sit here, Tom' = She told Tom that he could sit beside her etc. . But He said, 'Come here, boys' would normally be reported: He called the boys.
Infinitive and gerund constructions in indirect speech
A agree/refuse/offer/promise/threaten + infinitive can sometimes be used instead of say (that):
ANN: Would you wait half an hour?
TOM: All right = Tom agreed to wait or Tom said he would wait.
ANN: Would you lend me another £50?
TOM: No, I won't lend you any more money =
Tom refused to lend her any more money or
Tom said that he wouldn't lend etc.
PAUL: I'll help you if you like, Ann =
Paul offered to help her or
Paul said that he'd help her. (See also shall I?, 318.)
ANN: I'll pay you back next week. Really I will. =
Ann promised to pay him back the following week or
Ann said that she would pay him back or
Ann assured him that she would pay him back.
KIDNAPPERS: If you don't pay the ransom at once we'll kill yourdaughter =
The kidnappers threatened to kill his daughter if he didn 't pay the
ransom at once or The kidnappers said that they would kill etc.
(For object + infinitive constructions,
В accuse . . . of/admit/apologize for/deny/insist on + gerund can sometimes be used instead of say (that):
'You took the money!' might be reported
He accused me of taking the money.
'I stole/didn't steal it' might be reported
/ admitted/denied stealing it.
'I'm sorry I'm late,' he said might be reported
He apologized for being late or
He said he was sorry he was late.
BILL: Let me pay for myself.
TOM: Certainly not! I'll pay! might be reported
Tom insisted on paying.
316 say, tell and alternative introductory verbs A say and tell with direct speech
1 say can introduce a statement or follow it:
Tom said, 'I've just heard the news' or
'I've just heard the news,' Tom said.
Inversion of say and noun subject is possible when say follows the statement:
'I've just heard the news,' said Tom.
say + to + person addressed is possible, but this phrase must follow the direct statement; it cannot introduce it:
'I'm leaving at once,' Tom said to me. Inversion is not possible here.
2 tell requires the person addressed:
Tell me. He told us. I'll tell Tom.
except with tell lies/stories/the truth, when the person addressed need not be mentioned:
He told (me) lies. I'll tell (you) a story. tell used with direct speech must be placed after the direct statement:
'I'm leaving at once,' Tom told me. Inversion is not possible with tell.
В say and tell with indirect speech
Indirect statements are normally introduced by say, or tell + object. say + to + object is possible but much lessusual than tell + object:
He said he 'd just heard the news.
He told me that he'd just heard the news. Note also tell . . . how/about:
He told us how he had crossed the mountains.
He told us about crossing the mountains.
He told us about his journeys.
Other useful verbs are:
add* complain * point out
admit* deny* promise *
answer* explain * protest*
argue* grumble * remark *
assure + object object* remind + object
boast* observe * reply*
These can be used with direct or indirect speech. With direct speech they follow direct statements:
'It won't cost more,' Tom assured us. Starred verbs can be inverted, provided the subject is a noun:
'But it will take longer,' Bill objected/objected Bill.
'It'll cost too much,' Jack grumbled/grumbled Jack. They can all introduce indirect statements. that should be placed
after the verb:
Tom assured us that it wouldn 't cost more. But Bill objected/pointed
out that it would take longer.
D murmur, mutter, shout, stammer, whisper can precede or follow direct statements or questions
. With noun subjects the verb can be inverted as shown above:
'You're late,' whispered Тот/Torn whispered. They can introduce indirect statements, that is usually necessary:
Tom whispered that we were late.
There are, of course, a lot of other verbs describing the voice or the tone of voice, e.g. bark, growl, roar, scream,
shriek, snarl, sneer, yell. But these are more common with direct than indirect speech.
Questions in indirect speech
Direct question: He said, 'Where is she going?' Indirect question: He asked where she was going.
A When we turn direct questions into indirect 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. The question mark (?) is therefore omitted in indirect questions:
He said, 'Where does she live?' = He asked where she lived. With affirmative verb questions this change is obviously not necessary:
'Who lives next door?' he said = He asked who lived next door.
'What happened?' she said = She asked what had happened.
В If the introductory verb is say, it must be changed to a verb of inquiry, e.g. ask, inquire, wonder, want to know etc.:
He said, 'Where is the station?' = He asked where the station was.
ask, inquire, wonder can also be used in direct speech. They are then usually placed at the end of the sentence:
'Where is the station?' he inquired.
С ask can be followed by the person addressed (indirect object):
He asked, 'What have you got in your bag?' = He asked (me) what I had got in my bag.
But inquire, wonder, want to know cannot take an indirect object, so if we wish to report a question where theperson addressed is mentioned, we must use ask:
He said, 'Mary, when is the next train?' = He asked Mary when the next train was. If we use inquire, wonder or want to know we must omit Mary.
D If the direct question begins with a question word (when, where, who, how, why etc.) the question word is repeated in the indirect question:
He said, 'Why didn't you put on the brake?' =
He asked (her) why she hadn't put on the brake.
She said, 'What do you want?' =
She asked (them) what they wanted.
E If there is no question word, if or whether must be used: 'Is anyone there?' he asked = He asked if/whether anyone was there.
1 Normally we can use either if and whether, if is the more usual:
'Do you know Bill?' he said =
He asked if/whether I knew Bill.
'Did you see the accident?' the policeman asked =
The policeman asked if/whether I had seen the accident.
2 whether can emphasize that a choice has to be made:
'Do you want to go by air or sea?' the travel agent asked = The travel agent asked whether I wanted to go by air or by sea. Note whether or not:
'Do you want to insure your luggage or not?' he asked -He asked whether or not I wanted to insure my luggage or He asked if I wanted to insure my luggage or not.
3 whether + infinitive is possible after wonder, want to know:
'Shall/Should I wait for them or go on?' he wondered =
He wondered whether to wait for them or go on or
He wondered whether he should wait for them or go on.
inquire + whether + infinitive is possible but less usual.
(For whether + infinitive,
4 whether is neater if the question contains a conditional clause as otherwise there would be two ifs:
'If you get the job will you move to York?' Bill asked = Bill asked whether, if I got the job, I'd move to York.
Questions beginning shall I/we? in indirect speech
Questions beginning shall I/we? can be of four kinds.
A Speculations or requests for information about a future event:
'Shall I ever see them again?' he wondered.
'When shall I know the result of the test?' she asked. These follow the ordinary rule about shall/will. Speculations are usually introduced by wonder:
He wondered if he would ever see them again.
She asked when she would know the result of the test.
В Requests for instructions or advice:
'What shall 1 do with it?' = 'Tell me what to do with it.' These are expressed in indirect speech by ask, inquire etc.,with should or the be + infinitive construction. Requests for advice are normally reported by should:
'Shall we post it, sir?' he said =He asked the customer if they were to post/if they should post it.
'What shall I say, mother?' she said =She asked her mother what she should say. (request for advice)
When a choice is required we normally use whether in indirect speech. whether + infinitive is sometimes possible :
'Shall I lock the car or leave it unlocked?' he said =
He asked whether he should/was to lock the car or leave it unlocked or He asked whether to lock the car etc.
С Offers:
'Shall I bring you some tea?' could be reported He offered to bring me some tea.
Note that 'Would you like me to bring you some tea?' and 'I'll bring you some tea if you like' could also be reported by offer.
D Suggestions:'Shall we meet at the theatre?' could be reported He suggested meeting at the theatre.
Questions beginning will you/would you/could you?
These may be ordinary questions, but may also be requests, invitations, or, very occasionally, commands
He said, 'Will you be there tomorrow?' (ordinary question) =
He asked if she would be there the next day.
'Will you stand still!' he shouted = He shouted at me to stand still or
He told/ordered me to stand still.
'Would you like to live in New York?' he asked =
He asked if I would like to live in New York.
'Will/Would you file these letters, please?' he said =
He asked/told me to file the letters.
'Would you like a lift?' said Ann = Ann offered me a lift.
'Would you like to come round/Could you come round for a drink?'
he said =He invited me (to come) round for a drink.
'Could you live on £25 a week?' he asked = He asked if I could live on £25 a week.
'Could/Would you give me a hand?' she said =She asked us to give her a hand.
'Could/Would you show me the photos?' she said =She asked me to show her the photos or She asked to see the photos. (For can/could/may/might + I/we?,
Commands, requests, advice in indirect speech
Direct command: He said, 'Lie down, Tom.'
Indirect command: He told Tom to lie down.
Indirect commands, requests, advice are usually expressed by a verb of
command/request/advice + object + infinitive (= the object + infinitiveconstruction).
A The following verbs can be used: advise, ask, beg, command,encourage, entreat, forbid, implore, invite, order, recommend, remind, request, tell, urge, warn.
Note that say is not included in this list.
He said, 'Get your coat, Tom!' = He told Tom to get his coat.
'You had better hurry, Bill!' she said - She advised Bill to hurry.
В Negative commands, requests etc. are usually reported by not + infinitive:
'Don't swim out too far, boys,' I said = 1 warned/told the boys not to swim out too far.
forbid can also be used for prohibitions, but is more common in the passive than in the active.
С Verbs in A above require object + infinitive, i.e. they must be followed directly by the person addressed without preposition .
The person addressed is often not mentioned in direct commands, requests etc.: He said,'Go away!'
When reporting such commands/requests therefore we must add a noun or pronoun:
He told me/him/her/us/them/the children to go away. ask differs from the other verbs in A in that it can also be followed directly by the infinitive of certain verbs, e.g. see, speak to, talk to:
He said, 'Could I see Tom, please?' =He asked to see Tom.
But this is quite different from the ask + object + infinitive type of request.
Both ask and beg can be followed by the passive infinitive: 'Do, please, send me to a warm climate,' he asked/begged = He asked/begged us to send him to a warm climate or He asked/begged to be sent to a warm climate.
D Examples of indirect commands, requests, advice
Note that direct commands are usually expressed by the imperative, but that requests and advice can be expressed in a variety of ways
'If I were you, I'd stop taking tranquillizers,' I said = I advised him to stop taking tranquillizers. 'Why don't you take off your coat?' he said = He advised me to take off my coat.
'You might post some letters for me,' said my boss = My boss asked me to post some letters for him. 'If you 'd just sign the register,' said the receptionist = The receptionist asked him to sign the register.
'Do sit down,'said my hostess = My hostess asked/invited me to sit down. 'Please, please don't take any risks,' said his wife = His wife begged/implored him not to take any risks. 'Forget all about this young man,' said her parents; 'don't see him again or answer his letters' =
Her parents ordered her to forget all about the young man and told her not to see him again or answer his letters or She was ordered to forget all about the young man and forbidden to see him again or answer his letters, (passive construction)
'Don't forget to order the wine,' said Mrs Pitt = Mrs Pitt reminded her husband to order the wine.
'Tryagain,' said Ann's friends encouragingly = Ann's friends encouraged her to try again. 'Go on, apply for the job,' said
Jack = Jack urged/encouraged me to apply for the job. 'You had better not leave your car unlocked,' said my friends;
'there's been a lot of stealing from cars' =My friends warned me not to leave my car unlocked as there had been a lot of stealing from cars.
will you . . . sentences are normally treated as requests and reported by ask:
'Will all persons not travelling please go ashore,' he said = He asked all persons not travelling to go ashore.
But if a will you sentence is spoken sharply or irritably, and the please is omitted, it might be reported by tell or order:
'Will you be quiet!/Be quiet, will you!' he said =He told/ordered us to be quiet.
Other ways of expressing indirect commands
A say/tell + subject + be + infinitive:
He said/told me that I was to wait.
This is a possible alternative to the tell + infinitive construction, so that:
He said, 'Don't open the door' could be reported
He told me not to open the door or
He said that I wasn 't to open the door.
The be + infinitive construction is particularly useful in the following cases:
1 When the command is introduced by a verb in the present tense:
He says, 'Meet me at the station' = He says that we are to meet him at the station. (He tells us to meet him would be much less likely.)
2 When the command is preceded by a clause (usually of time or condition):
He said, 'If she leaves the house follow her' could be reported He said that if she left the house I was to follow her.
He told me to follow her if she left the house would be equally possible here but note that if we use the tell +infinitive construction we must change the order of the sentence so as to put the command first.
Sometimes this would result in a rather confusing sentence. For example, the request If you see Ann tell her to ring me would become He told me to tell Ann to ring him if I saw her. Such requests can only be reported by the be + infinitiveconstruction:
He said that if I saw Ann I was to tell her to ring him.
В say/tell (+ that) + subject + should
1 say or tell with a should construction normally indicates advice rather than command:
He said, 'If your brakes are bad don't drive so fast' =
He said/told me that if my brakes were bad I shouldn 't drive so fast
orHe advised me not to drive so fast if my brakes were bad. (Note
change of order here, as with tell + infinitive above.)
2 Advice can also be expressed by advise, recommend and urge + that . . . should. This is particularly useful in the passive :
I advise cancelling the meeting,' he said -He advised that the meeting should be cancelled.
3 command and order can also be used with should or a passive infinitive:
'Evacuate the area!' ordered the superintendent =
The superintendent ordered that everyone should leave the area or
ordered that the area should be evacuated or ordered the area to be evacuated.
4 Note that when an indirect command is expressed by an object + infinitive construction, as in
there is normally the idea that the person who is to obey the command is addressed directly. But when the command is expressed by the be + infinitive
construction (A above) or by a should construction (B3 above) the recipient of the command need not necessarily be addressed directly.
The command may be conveyed to him by a third person.
let's, let us, let him/them in indirect speech
A let's
1 let's usually expresses a suggestion and is reported by suggest in indirect speech:
He said, 'Let's leave the case at the station' would be reported:
He suggested leaving the case at the station or He suggested that they/we should leave the case at the station.
He said, 'Let's stop now and finish it later' would be reported:
He suggested stopping then and finishing it later or He suggested that they/we should stop then and finish it later.
Similarly in the negative:
He said, 'Let's not say anything about it till we hear the facts' = . • He suggested not saying
anything/saying nothing about it till they heard the facts or
; He suggested that they shouldn't say anything till they heard the facts.
: But let's not used alone in answer to an affirmative suggestion is often
• reported by some phrase such as opposed the idea/was against it/objected. So that we could report:
• 'Let's sell the house,' said Tom. 'Let's not,' said Ann by Tom suggested selling the house but Ann was against it.
2 let's/let us sometimes expresses a call to action.
It is then usually reported by urge/advise + object + infinitive
The strike leader said, 'Let's show the bosses that we are united' = The strike leader urged the workers to show the bosses that they were united.
В let him/them
1 In theory let him/them expresses a command. But very often the speaker has no authority over the person who is to obey the command:
'It's not my business,' said the postman. 'Let the government do something about it.'
Here, the speaker is not issuing a command but expressing an obligation. Sentences of this type are therefore normally reported by ought/should:
He said that it wasn't his business and that the government ought i to/should do something about it.
2 Sometimes, however, let him/them does express a command. It is then usually reported by say + be + infinitive
'Let the boys clear up this mess,' said the headmaster = The headmaster said that the boys were to clear up the mess.
'Let the guards be armed,' he ordered = He ordered that the guards should be armed.
3 Sometimes let him/them is more a suggestion than a command. In such cases it is usually reported by suggest, or say + should
She said, 'Let them go to their consul. He 'II be able to help them' = She suggested their/them going to their consuletc. or She suggested that they should go to their consul or She said that they should go to their consul.
4 let him/them can also indicate the speaker's indifference:
'The neighbours will complain,' said Ann.
'Let them (complain),' said Tom = Tom expressed indifference or
Tom said he didn't mind (if they complained).
С let there be
Here the speaker could be ordering, advising, urging or begging: 'Let there be no reprisals,' said the widow of the murdered man = The widow urged/begged that there should be no reprisals.
D let is also an ordinary verb meaning allow/permit:
'Let him come with us, mother; I'll take care of him,' I said =
/ asked my mother to let him come with us and promised to take care of him.
Exclamations and yes and no
A Exclamations usually become statements in indirect speech. The exclamation mark disappears.
1 Exclamations beginning What (a) ... or How . . . can be reported (a) by exclaim/say that:
He said, 'What a dreadful idea!' or 'How dreadful'.' = He exclaimed that it was a dreadful idea/was dreadfulor (b) by give an exclamation of delight/disgust/horror/relief/
surprise etc.
Alternatively, if the exclamation is followed by an action we can use the construction (c) with an exclamation of delight/disgust etc. + he/she etc. + verb.
2 Other types of exclamation, such as Good! Marvellous! Splendid! Heavens! Oh! Ugh! etc. can be reported as in (b) or (c) above:
'Good!' he exclaimed =He gave an exclamation of pleasure/satisfaction.
'Ugh!' she exclaimed, and turned the programme off = With an exclamation of disgust she turned the programme off.
3 Note also:
He said, 'Thank you!' = He thanked me.
He said, 'Curse this fog!' = He cursed the fog.
He said, 'Good luck!' = He wished me luck.
He said, 'Happy Christmas!' = He wished me a happy Christmas.
He said, 'Congratulations!' = He congratulated me.
He said, 'Liar!' = He called me a liar.
He said, 'Damn!'etc. = He swore.
The notice said: WELCOME TO WALES'. =
The notice welcomed visitors to Wales.
В yes and no are expressed in indirect speech by subject + appropriate auxiliary verb:
He said, 'Can you swim?' and 1 said 'No' =
He asked (me) if I could swim and I said I couldn't.
He said, 'Will you have time to do it?' and I said 'Yes' =
He asked if I would have time to do it and I said that I would.
Indirect speech: mixed types
Direct speech may consist of statement + question, question + command, command + statement, or all three together.
A Normally each requires its own introductory verb: 7 don't know the way. Do you?' he asked =
He said he didn't know the way and asked her if she did/if she knew it. 'Someone's coming,' he said. 'Get behind the screen' = He said that someone was coming and told me to get behind the screen.
Т т going shopping. Can I get you anything?' she said = She said she was going shopping and asked if she could get me anything.
I can hardly hear the radio,' he said. 'Could you turn it up?' = He said he could hardly hear the radio and asked her to turn it up.
В But sometimes, when the last clause is a statement which helps to explain the first, we can use as instead of a second introductory verb:
'You'd better wear a coat. It's very cold out,' he said =
He advised me to wear a coat as it was very cold out.
'You'd better not walk across the park alone. People have been
mugged there,' he said =
He warned her not to walk across the park alone as people had been
mugged there.
С Sometimes the second introductory verb can be a participle:
'Please, please, don't drink too much! Remember that you'll have to drive home,' she said =
She begged him not to drink too much, reminding him that he'd have to drive home.
'Let's shop on Friday. The supermarket will be very crowded on Saturday,' she said =
She suggested shopping on Friday, pointing out that the supermarket would be very crowded on Saturday. (as could be used in both these examples.)
must and needn't
A must used for deductions, permanent commands/prohibitions and to express intention remains unchanged.
1 Deductions:
She said, 'I'm always running into him; he must live near here!' = She said that. . . he must live in the area.
2 Permanent command:
He said, 'This door must be kept locked' = He said that the door must be kept locked.
3 must used casually to express intention:
He said, 'We must have a party to celebrate this' = He said that they must have a party to celebrate it.
В must used for obligation can remain unchanged. Alternatively it can be
reported by would have to or had to.
1 I/we must reported by would have to would have to is used when the obligation depends on some future action, or when the fulfilment of the obligationappears remote or uncertain, i.e. when must is clearly replaceable by will have to:
'If the floods get worse we must (will have to) leave the house,' he said =
He said that if the floods got worse they would have to leave the house.
'When it stops snowing we must start digging ourselves out,'
I said = I said that when it stopped snowing we would have to start digging
ourselves out.
'We must mend the roof properly next year,' he said =
He said that they would have to mend the roof properly the following
year.
'I have just received a letter,' he said. 'I must go home' =
He said that he had just received a letter and would have to go home.
(But had to would be more usual here if he went at once, i.e. had
to would imply that he went at once.) 2 I/we must reported by had to
had to is the usual form for obligations where times for fulfilment have been fixed, or plans made, or when the
obligation is fulfilled fairly promptly, or at least by the time the speech is reported:
He said, 'I must wash my hands' (and presumably did so) =
He said that he had to wash his hands.
Tom said, 'I must be there by nine tomorrow' =
Tom said that he had to be there by nine the next day. would have to would be possible here also but would implythat the obligation was self-imposed and that no outside authority was involved. had to could express either an outside authority (i.e. that someone had told him to be there) or a self-imposed obligation. All difficulties about had to/would have to can of course be avoided by keeping must unchanged. In both the above examples must could have been used instead of had to/would have to.
3 you/he/they must is reported similarly:
He said, 'You must start at once' =
He said that she must/had to/would have to start at once. But note that would have to removes the idea of the speaker's authority:
Tom said, 'If you want to stay on here you must work harder' =
Tom said that if she wanted to stay on she must/would have to work harder.
must implies that Tom himself insists on her working harder, would have to merely implies that this will be necessary.
4 must I/you/he? can change similarly but as must in the interrogative usually concerns the present or immediate future it usually becomes had to:
'Must you go so soon?' I said = / asked him if he had to go so soon.
5 must not
I must not usually remains unchanged, you/he must not remains unchanged or is expressed as a negative command
: He said, 'You mustn't tell anyone' = He said that she mustn 't tell/wasn 't to tell anyone or He told her not to tell anyone.
С needn't
needn't can remain unchanged and usually does. Alternatively it can change to didn't have to/wouldn't have to just as must changes to had to/would have to:
He said, 'You needn't wait' = He said that I needn't wait.
I said, 'If you can lend me the money I needn 't go to the bank =
/ said that if he could lend me the money I needn 't/wouldn 't have to
go to the bank.
He said, 'I needn't be in the office till ten tomorrow morning' =
He said that he needn 't/didn 't have to be in the office till ten the next
morning.
need I/you/he? behaves exactly in the same ways as must I/you/he? i.e. it normally becomes had to: 'Need I finish my pudding?' asked the small boy = The small boy asked if he had to finish his pudding.
EXERCISES
Indirect speech Indirect speech
16 Ann said, 'Englishmen make good husbands because they are nearly
always willing to help in the house.'
17 Mary answered, 'I like men to be useful but I don't like them to be
too domesticated. I prefer them to keep out of the kitchen
altogether. Men look silly in aprons anyway.'
18 Motoring report: The new Rolls Royce runs so quietly that all you
can hear is the ticking of the clock.
Managing director of the Rolls Royce company: In that case we'll
have to do something about the clock.
19 'I don't know what to do with all my plums. I suppose I'll have to
make jam. The trouble is that none of us eats jam,' she said.
20 'We like working on Sundays because we get double pay,' explained
the builders.
21 He said, 'I am quite a good cook and I do all my own washing and
mending too.'
22 'You can keep that one if you like, Joan,' he said. 'I've got plenty of
others.'
23 'I'm going fishing with mother this afternoon,' said the small boy,
'and we are going into the garden now to dig for worms.'
(Omit now).
24 'You've got my umbrella,' I said crossly. 'Yours is in your bedroom.'
25 'I know exactly what they said,' the private detective explained to
his client, 'because I bugged their phone.'
26 'I'll sit up till she comes in, but I hope she won't be late,' he said.
27 'If you give me some wire, I'll hang that picture for you,' said my
cousin.
28 'I have a Turkish bath occasionally, but it doesn't seem to make any
difference to my weight,' she said.
29 'This is quite a good model, madam. I use one of these myself,' said
the salesman.
30 'My new house is supposed to be haunted, but so far I haven't seen
any ghosts,' she said.
31 The advertisement said, 'If you answer the questions correctly you
may win £100.'
32 'If I press my ear against the wall, I can hear what the people in the
next flat are saying,' he said.
86 Indirect speech: statements
PEG 309-10
Some tenses/forms do not change when direct speech becomes
indirect:
'I wish my children would eat vegetables,' she said.
She (said she) wished her children would eat vegetables.
Put the following into indirect speech, being careful to avoid
ambiguity:
1 'I couldn't get into the house because I had lost my key, so I had to
break a window,' he said.
2 'The mirror is there so that you can see yourself when you are
dancing,' the instructress told him.
3 'I wrote to him the day before yesterday. I wonder why he hasn't
rung up,' she said.
4 'If the ground is dry on the day of the race, my horse might win,'
said the owner.
5 'You'd better slow down. There's a speed limit here,' she said to me.
(Use advise.)
6 'If Tom wants seats, he'd better apply early,' she said.
7 'We walked 50 miles last night to see the Minister and protest about
our rents being raised. He was very polite and promised to do what
he could for us,' said one of the tenants.
8 'They should put traffic lights here, otherwise there'll be more
accidents,' she said.
9 'It's time we began training for our next match,' the coach said to
them.
10 'If you leave home at six, you should be here by nine,' he said to me.
11 'If it rains this afternoon it will be too wet to play the match
tomorrow,' the captain said.
12 'I meant to plug in the electric blanket but I plugged in the electric
kettle by mistake. I'm always doing silly things like that,' she told
her guest.
13 'I was intending to do it tomorrow,' he said, 'but now I don't think
I'll be able to.'
14 'Bill should do very well at the university, Mrs Smith,' said the
headmaster. 'He's done very well here.'
15 'I don't think your father likes me,' said the young wife.
'You mustn't think that,' said her husband; 'it is just that he is old
and finds it hard to get used to new people.' (Leave mustn't
unchanged.)
16 'The steak is overdone again. I'm not complaining; I'm just pointing
it out,' said her husband.
'I wish you'd stop pointing things out,' said his wife.
17 'They couldn't open the safe on the spot so they carried it away with
them,' the night watchman reported.
18 'If you saw my father, you'd recognize him at once. He is the most
extraordinary-looking man,' she said to me.
19 'I found an old Roman coin in the garden yesterday,' he said, 'and
I'm going to take it to the museum this afternoon.'
20 He said, 'I got out of my boat, leaving the engine running, but while
I was standing on the quay the gears suddenly engaged themselves
and the boat went straight out of the harbour with no one on board.'
21 Then Macbeth enters and says, 'I have done the deed.'
128 129
Indirect speech Indirect speech
22 'Would you like me to go with you?' I said.
'I'd rather go alone,' he answered.
23 My brother said, 'You may take my car if you like. I shan't be
needing it tomorrow or the day after.'
24 'Yesterday Tom and I went to look at a house that he was thinking
of buying. It was rather a nice house and had a lovely garden but
Tom decided against it because it was opposite a cemetery,' said
Celia.
25 He said, 'My wife wants to take a job but I'd rather she
concentrated on our home.'
26 'I don't know what your father will say when he sees what a mess
your puppies have made of this five-pound note,' said my mother.
27 'It's high time you passed your test; I'm tired of driving round with
an L — plate on the front of the car,' my sister said.
28 'I wish you'd seen it,' I said to her.
87 Indirect speech: questions
PEG 317
Put the following into indirect speech. The first ten questions
require no change of order:
He said, 'What is happening?'
He asked what was happening.
1 'What happened to Mr Budd?' said one of the men.
2 'Which of his sons inherited his estate?' asked another.
3 'Who is going to live in the big house?' enquired a third.
4 'What will happen to his racehorses?' asked someone else.
5 'Which team has won?' asked Ann.
6 'Which team won the previous match?' said Bill.
7 'Who is playing next week?' he asked.
8 'Who will be umpiring that match?' asked Tom.
9 'Who wants a lift home?' said Ann.
10 'Who has just dropped a £10 note?' I asked.
11 'Where is the ticket office?' asked Mrs Jones.
12 'What shall I do with my heavy luggage?' she said. (Use should.)
13 'What platform does the train leave from?' asked Bill.
14 'When does it arrive in York?' he asked.
15 'When was the timetable changed?' I asked.
16 'Why has the 2.30 train been cancelled?' said Ann.
17 'How much does a day return to Bath cost?' Mrs Jones asked.
18 'Why does the price go up so often?' she wondered.
19 'How can I get from the station to the airport?' said Bill.
20 'When are you coming back?' I asked them.
21 'Is a return ticket cheaper than two singles?' said my aunt.
22 'Do puppies travel free?' asked a dog owner..
23 'Can I bring my dog into the compartment with me?' she asked.
24 'Does this train stop at York?' asked Bill.
25 'Can you telephone from inter-city trains?' said the businessman.
26 'Does the 2.40 have a restaurant car?' he enquired.
27 'Can you get coffee on the train?' asked my aunt.
28 'Do they bring it round on a trolley?' she said.
29 'Are there smoking compartments?' said the man with the pipe.
30 'Have you reserved a seat?' I asked him.
Extra exercise: read the last twenty questions, using one of the
following prefaces: I wonder/I'd like to know/Do you know?/Have
you any idea?/Can you tell me?
11 'Do you know where the ticket office is?'
12 'I wonder what I should do with my heavy luggage.'
88 Indirect speech: questions
PEG 317
A new student, Paul, has come to the college and the other students
are asking him questions. Imagine that he reports these questions
later to an English friend:
1 Bill asked what country I came from.
1 'What country do you come from?' said Bill.
2 'How long have you been here?' said Ann.
3 'Are you working as well as studying?' asked Peter.
4 'Have you got a work permit?' Bill wanted to know.
5 'What are you going to study?' asked Ann.
6 'Have you enrolled for more than one class?' said Peter.
7 'Do you want to buy any second-hand books?' said Bill.
8 'Have you seen the library?' asked Ann.
9 'Do you play rugby?' said Peter.
10 'Will you have time to play regularly?' he went on.
11 'Did you play for your school team?' said Bill.
12 'Are you interested in acting?' asked Ann.
13 'Would you like to join our Drama Group?' she said.
14 'What do you think of the canteen coffee?' asked Peter.
Mary and Tom, with their son, John, aged 11, have recently come to
this area. Mary wants to find a school for John and asks her
neighbour Mrs Smith about the local school.
(a) Later, Mrs Smith reports these questions to her husband:
'Is it a mixed school?'
She asked if it was a mixed school.
(b) Alternatively, supply suitable answers to Mary's questions and
then imagine that Mary reports the conversation (her questions
and Mrs Smith's answers) to her husband Tom:
130 131
Indirect speech Indirect speech
9 'Open the safe!' the raiders ordered the bank clerk.
10 'Please do as I say,' he begged me.
11 'Help your mother, Peter,' Mr Pitt said.
12 'Don't make too much noise, children,' he said.
13 'Do whatever you like,' she said to us.
14 'Don't miss your train,' she warned them.
15 'Read it before you sign it,' he said to his client.
16 'Do sing it again,' he said.
17 'Don't put your hands near the bars,' the zoo keeper warned us.
18 'Buy a new car,' I advised him.
19 'Don't drive too fast,' she begged him.
20 'Don't lean your bicycles against my windows, boys,' said the
shopkeeper.
21 'Come to the cinema with me,' he asked her.
22 'Cook it in butter,' I advised her.
23 'Don't touch the gates, madam,' said the lift operator.
24 'Don't argue with me,' the teacher said to the boy.
25 'Pull as hard as you can,' he said to him.
26 'Send for the Fire Brigade,' the manager said to the porter.
27 'Don't lend her anything,' he advised us.
28 'Make a list of what you want,' she told us.
29 'Look at the paper,' he said to her.
30 'Stand clear of the doors,' a voice warned the people on the
platform.
31 'See if you can find any mushrooms, children,' she said.
32 'Don't go alone,' I warned her.
33 'Pay at the cash desk,' the shop assistant said to the customer.
34 The notice said, 'Leave this space clear.'
35 'Remember to write to your mother,' I said to them.
36 'Think well before you answer,' the detective warned her.
91 Indirect speech: commands, requests, advice
• PEG 320
See note to 90.
Put the following into indirect speech. In most cases the person
addressed must be supplied.
1 He said, 'Get out of my way.'
2 'Climb in through the window,' he ordered.
3 'Please pay at the desk,' said the assistant.
4 'Open your bag, please,' said the store detective.
5 'Don't worry about anything, Mrs Pitt,' said her solicitor. 'Leave it
all to me.'
6 'Don't use bent coins in a slot machine,' I warned him.
7 'Follow that car,' the detective said to the taxi-driver.
8 'Wash it in lukewarm water,' recommended the assistant.
9 'Have confidence in me,' urged the doctor.
10 'Take me up to the 33rd floor,' he said to the liftman.
11 'Read the notice about life-saving equipment,' advised the airhostess.
12 'Always cook with butter,' said her mother, 'never use margarine.'
13 'Don't argue with your father,' I said.
14 'Remember to prune the roses,' said my aunt.
15 'Wait for me at the bridge,' said the young man.
16 'Don't eat too much starch,' I advised her, 'and avoid fried food.'
17 'Don't say anything to make her angry,' said my father.
18 Notice: Please do not ask at the desk for change for telephone calls.
19 'Don't forget to feed the goldfish,' Mary said to her brother.
20 'Cross the line by the footbridge,' said the porter.
21 'Write to me as often as you can,' said his wife.
22 'Put your pistol on the table,' said the crook.
23 'Please book me a seat in a non-smoker,' said the traveller.
24 'Don't forget your sandwiches,' said his mother.
25 'Don't go near the water, children,' she said.
26 'Search the house,' said the police sergeant.
27 'Don't make mountains out of molehills,' he said.
28 'Put down that gun. It's loaded,' she warned.
92 Indirect speech: commands, requests, advice
PEG 320
See note to 90.
Put the following into indirect speech, joining the sentences together
with as, and, but or for.
1 'Make good use of your time. You won't get such an opportunity
again,' he said to us.
2 'Don't wait till tomorrow,' said the advertisement, 'post the coupon
at once.'
3 'Be very careful crossing roads,' she said, 'and remember to drive on
the right.'
4 'I can't open it. You have a try, Peter,' he said.
5 'Go and get me a paper, and come straight back,' he said to me.
6 'Someone's coming. Get into the cupboard,' she said.
7 'Give way to traffic approaching from your right,' the road sign
warned us.
8 'Please, please send whatever you can spare,' said the secretary of
the disaster fund.
9 'Wear a wig if you don't want to be recognized,' I advised him.
10 'Don't bathe when the red flag is flying,' said the lifeguard.
134 135
Indirect speech Indirect speech
11 'Don't forget to thank Mrs Jones when you are saying goodbye to
her,' said his mother.
12 'Watch the milk and don't let it boil over,' he said.
13 'Don't shelter under a tree in a thunderstorm,' he said. 'The tree
might be struck by lightning.'
14 'Put the message into a bottle and throw it into the sea,' he said.
15 'Read it for yourself if you don't believe what I say,' he told me.
16 'Don't forget to use your indicators,' said the driving instructor.
17 'Don't drive too fast or the baby'll be sick,' she said to her husband.
18 'Do make the coffee a bit stronger,' I begged. 'It was terribly weak
last night.'
19 'Beware of pickpockets,' said a huge notice.
20 'Smell this. Do you think it has gone bad?' she said.
21 'Don't take your coat off. We are going out again in a moment,' she
told him.
22 'Stand by the window and tell me if anyone goes into the house
opposite,' he said.
23 'Don't move till the policeman waves you on,' said the driving
instructor.
24 'Don't touch it. You will only make it worse,' he told me.
25 'Be careful; the steps are very slippery,' I warned him.
26 'Ask your boss to ring me back,' I said. 'My number is 1234567.'
'Could you repeat that, please?' said the girl.
27 'Don't work too fast,' said the foreman. 'If we finish before six we
shan't get any overtime.'
28 'Prepare to meet your doom. The end of the world is at hand,' said
the placard.
29 'Remember to put the brake on,' the instructor said.
30 'Would you please take off your shoes?' Keiko said to him.
93 Indirect speech: commands, requests, invitations,
offers, advice
• PEG 284-7, 318-20
Put the following into indirect speech using ask, advise, invite, offer,
remind, tell, warn.
1 'Would you like to have lunch with me on Sunday?' he said to me.
2 'Would you like a cigarette?' said one of the guests.
3 'Would you mind not smoking between courses?' said their hostess.
4 'Take these letters to the post, will you? And shut the door as you go
out,' said the boss.
5 'Will you help me, please?' she said. 'I can't reach the top shelf.'
6 'This is a horrible room. Why don't you ask for something better?'
he said.
7 'If I were you I'd try to get a room on the top floor,' he said.
8 'I'll wait for you if you like,' she said.
9 'Remember to switch off when you've finished,' he said.
10 'You might check these figures for me,' he said.
11 'You'd better apologize for being late,' said my mother.
12 'Could you check the oil, please?' I asked the mechanic.
13 'I wish you'd sit still!' said the artist. 'How do you expect me to
paint you when you keep jerking your head?'
14 'Why don't you go by train? It's much less tiring than driving,' I
said.
15 Hotel notice:, Will guests please not play radios loudly after
midnight?
16 'Would you like to wait here?' said the receptionist, showing me into
the waiting room.
17 'You must see this exhibition!' said all my friends.
18 'I should plant daffodils, if I were you,' I said to them.
19 'If you'd just sign the back of the cheque,' said the bank clerk.
20 'I'd be very grateful if you'd forward my letters while I am away,'
he said.
21 Police announcement: Will anyone who saw this accident please get
in touch with their nearest police station?
22 'Don't leave your room at night,' he said. 'Our host's dogs might
mistake you for a burglar.'
23 'Answer this letter for me, will you?' he said. 'And remember to
keep a copy.'
24 'Would you mind moving your car?' he said. 'It's blocking my gate.'
25 (in a letter) 'Perhaps you'd let me know when your new stock comes
in.' (Mrs Jones . . .)
26 Notice on board: The first team will report to the gymnasium for
weight-training. (The coach . . .)
27 'Could you sew on this button for me?' Tom asked Ann.
'You'd better sew it on yourself,' said Mary. 'Buttons sewn on by
Ann usually come off the next day.'
28 'If you will kindly sit down the fortune-teller will be with you in a
moment,' the girl said.
94 Indirect speech: questions, requests, invitations,
offers, advice
• PEG 284-7, 318-20, 323
Remember that Why don't you? can be an ordinary question or
advice/suggestion. Treat it here as advice.
Put the following into indirect speech.
1 'Could you get there and back in one day?' I asked. (I asked if he . . .)
2 'I can't open this tin,' said Ann. 'Shall I do it for you?' said Tom.
3 'Could you translate this for me, please?' I asked the official.
136 137
Indirect speech Indirect speech
4 'Shall we ever meet again?' he wondered.
5 'Will you be here tomorrow?' she asked. 'Yes,' I answered.
6 'Could I lose five kilos in a week?' said the fat woman. 'No,' said the
doctor.
7 'Will you have a drink?' he said.
8 'Why don't you install gas central heating?' said the advertisement.
{urge)
9 'Will you read this very carefully, please?' he said to me.
10 'Shall I tell him what happened?' she asked me.
11 'Wouldn't you like to look ten years younger?' said the hairdresser.
12 'I'm going to Brighton tomorrow,' said Ann.
'So'm I,' said Tom. 'Would you like a lift?' (Tom said he was too
and. . .)
13 'Can I have a sweet?' said the small boy.
14 'Can we stay up till the end of the programme?' said the children.
15 'Could I have the weekend off?' he asked his boss.
16 'Could I leave early on Friday?' he said.
17 'Why don't you like pop music?' the teenagers asked him.
18 'Why don't you take up the oboe again?' said my friends, (advise)
19 'Where shall I hang my new picture?' he said. 'Would it look well
over the mantelpiece?'
20 'What shall I do if the car won't start?' I said.
21 'Have you got enough money? Shall I lend you some?' said my
friend.
22 'Will you be able to guide me or shall I bring a map?' I asked.
23 'You won't forget to shut the door, will you?' she said, (remind)
24 'Would you like to see over the house?' I asked her.
25 'Would you like to peel the potatoes?' said Ann, handing me a knife.
26 'I've got two tickets. Would you like to come with me?' he said.
27 'Can you use a word processor?' he asked. 'No,' I said.
28 'Would you mind living by yourself for six months?' they asked.
29 'Would you mind paying cash?' said my landlady when I took out my
cheque-book.
30 'Why don't you trust him?' I asked Ann.
'I never trust left-handed men,' she answered.
95 Indirect speech: commands and questions with
if- clauses and time clauses
PEG 229, 320-1
Questions with if- clauses and time clauses should be reported with
the if- clause or time clause last.
'When/If I see him, what shall I say?' she asked.
She asked what she should say when/if she saw him.
Commands can be reported by tell + infinitive + if- clause/time
clause.
138
But sometimes (as in nos. 5 and 10 below) this would produce a
rather clumsy sentence. It is then advisable to use say/said that + if- clause/time clause + be/should + infinitive:
'If /When you see him, ask him to ring me,' she said.
She said that if/when I saw him I was to ask him to ring her.
was to expresses a definite command; should implies advice.
Put the following into indirect speech.
1 He said, 'When you are at the butcher's remember to get a bone for
the dog.'
2 She said, 'If you feel faint sit down and put your head between your
knees.'
3 'If I find your purse what shall I do with it?' he said.
'Keep it till you see me again,' I replied.
4 She said, 'If he arrives before I get back give him something to
drink.'
5 'If anyone rings up,' she said, 'say that I'll be back shortly.'
6 'When you are driving always look in your driving mirror before
turning right,' said my instructor.
7 'Leave the key under the mat if you go out,' she said.
8 'If you think the room is cold shut the windows,' said my aunt.
9 'If you feel lonely any time ring me up,' he said.
10 'If she doesn't eat meat, offer her an omelette,' he said.
11 'Get the car off the road on to the verge if you have a puncture.
Don't leave it on the road,' said my father.
12 'If I am not back by this time tomorrow take this letter to the
police,' he said.
13 'When you see Mrs Pitt don't forget to thank her,' she said to her
husband.
14 'When the bell rings take the meat out of the oven,' my sister said.
15 'If you are taken prisoner,' said the officer, 'give your name, rank
and number but refuse to answer any other questions.'
16 'When you hear the fire alarm, shut all windows and go downstairs
as quickly as possible,' said the schoolmaster.
17 'If the lift should stop between two floors press the emergency
button,' he said.
18 'Before you allow anyone to use the Turkish bath remember to ask
him if he has a weak heart,' said the senior attendant.
19 'If the police stop me, what shall I say?' she asked.
20 'What shall I do if he refuses to let me in?' she said.
'Write a note and push it under the door,' I said.
21 'What will happen if the strike continues?' he said.
22 'If it goes on snowing, how'll we get food?' wondered the
housewives.
23 'When the rain stops, can we go out?' said the children.
24 'When you've completed one section, go on to the next,' the teacher
said.
139
96 Indirect speech: suggestions
Li PEG 289 D, 322
Part 1 Write the following in indirect speech, in ordinary narrative
form.
Ann suggested having a party on the next Saturday. Mary
agreed and asked who they should invite.
Report 'Why don't we . . . ?' as a suggestion and 'Why don't you . . ?'
as suggestion or advice. Report 'Why not?' in no. 9 as agreed.
1 Ann: What about having a party on Saturday?
2 Mary: Yes, let's. Who shall we invite?
3 Ann: Let's not make a list. Let's just invite everybody.
4 Mary: We don't want to do too much cooking, so what about making
it a wine and cheese party?
5 Ann: Suppose we ask everybody to bring a bottle?
6 Mary: Shall we hire glasses from our local wine shop? We haven't
many left.
7 Ann: If it's warm, how about having the party in the garden?
8 Mary: Why not have a barbecue?
9 Ann: Why not? We could ask Paul to do the cooking.
10 Mary: Last time we had a barbecue the neighbours complained
about the noise. Shall we ask everyone to speak in whispers?
11 Ann: Suppose we go round to the neighbours and apologize in
advance this time?
12 Mary: Why not invite the neighbours? Then the noise won't matter.
13 Ann: What a clever idea! Shall we start ringing everyone up tonight?
14 Mary: What about working out how much it will cost first?
Part 2 Put the following into indirect speech.
15 'What about a round-the-world cruise?' suggested Mrs Smith.
'What about renting a caravan? It's all we can afford,' said her
husband.
16 'Suppose you complain, Ann?' I said. 'The boss is more likely to
listen to you than to any of us.'
17 'You used to be a good tennis player,' she reminded him. 'Why don't
you take it up again?'
18 'Shall we talk there? It's not far,' he said. 'Yes, let's,' I said.
19 'What about joining a weaving class?' Ann said to me. 'There's one
starting soon.'
20 'Let's organize a sponsored cycle race,' said the children.
'What about a sponsored silence?' said the teacher with a grin.
21 'Where shall we meet?' I said. 'What about the hotel?' said Bill.
22 'Suppose you ring him, Ann, and ask him what he thinks of the
idea?' I said.
23 'I'm doing most of the work,' I pointed out. 'What about giving me a
hand?'
24 'Let's leave the washing-up till tomorrow,' he suggested. 'I hate
washing up last thing at night.'
25 'Suppose the children go on an adventure holiday this summer?'
suggested the father.
26 'Why don't you ask them what they'd like to do?' I said.
27 'Shall we begin training for the next London Marathon?' said Bill.
'I've no intention of running in marathons,' I said. 'Why don't you
ask Paul?'
28 'Why don't you put an advertisement in the local paper?' they
suggested to me.
97 Indirect speech: mixed types
• PEG chapter 31 (note especially 324)
Put the following into indirect speech, avoiding as far as possible the
verbs say, ask and tell and choosing instead from the following:
accept, accuse, admit, advise, agree, apologize, assure, beg, call
(= summon), call (+ noun/pronoun + noun), complain, congratulate,
deny, exclaim, explain, give, hope, insist, introduce, invite, offer,
point out, promise, protest, refuse, remark, remind, suggest, thank,
threaten, warn, wish.
1 He said, 'Don't walk on the ice; it isn't safe.'
2 'Miss Brown, this is Miss White. Miss White, Miss Brown,' he said.
3 'Here are the car keys. You'd better wait in the car,' he said to her.
4 'Please, please, don't tell anyone,' she said.
'I won't, I promise,' I said.
5 'Would you like my torch?' I said, holding it out.
'No, thanks,' he said. 'I have one of my own.' (Omit thanks)
6 Tom: I'll pay.
Ann: Oh no, you mustn't!
Tom: I insist on paying!
7 'Come in and look round. There's no obligation to buy,' said the
shopkeeper.
8 'If you don't pay the ransom, we'll kill the boy,' said the kidnappers.
9 'I won't answer any questions,' said the arrested man.
10 'He expects a lot of work for very little money,' complained one of
the typists.
'Yes, he does,' agreed the other.
11 'I wish it would rain,' she said.
12 'You pressed the wrong button,' said the mechanic. 'Don't do it
again. You might have a nasty accident.'
13 'Your weight's gone up a lot!' I exclaimed.
'I'm afraid it has,' she said sadly.
14 'I hope you'll have a good journey,' he said. 'Don't forget to send a
card when you arrive.'
15 'Hurrah! I've passed the first exam!' he exclaimed.
'Congratulations!' I said, 'and good luck with the second.'
16 'All right, I'll wait a week,' she said. (Omit all right)
17 'Many happy returns of your birthday!' we said.
'Thanks,' said the boy.
18 'Your door is the shabbiest in the street,' said the neighbour.
'It is,' I said.
19 'Cigarette?'~
'Thanks,' I said.
20 'I'll sell the TV set if you keep quarrelling about the programme,'
said their mother.
'No, don't do that! We won't quarrel any more,' said the children.
21 'I'll give you £500 to keep your mouth shut,' he said to me.
22 'I'll wait for you, I promise,' he said to me.
23 'I'm sorry I'm late,' she said. 'The bus broke down.'
24 'You've been leaking information to the Press!' said his colleagues.
'No, I haven't,' he said. 'Liar!' said Tom.
25 'I'll drop you from the team if you don't train harder,' said the
captain.
26 'If the boys do anything clever, you call them your sons,' complained
his wife. 'But if they do anything stupid, you call them mine.'
27 'Let's have a rest,'said Tom.
'Yes, let's,' said Ann.
28 'Ugh! There's a slug in my lettuce. Waiter!' he cried.
98 Indirect to direct speech
• PEG 307-22
Put the following into direct speech, using dialogue form:
Tom: Would you like to come for a drive tomorrow, Ann?
Ann: I'd love to etc.
Trip to Stratford
1 Tom invited Ann to come for a drive the following day.
2 Ann accepted with pleasure and asked where he was thinking of
going.
142
3 He said he'd leave it to her.
4 She suggested Stratford . . .
5 adding that she hadn't been there for ages.
6 Tom agreed and said that they might go on the river if it was a
fine day.
7 Ann wondered what was on at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
8 Tom said they'd find out when they got there . . .
9 adding that it was usually possible to get seats on the day of the
play.
10 He asked Ann if she could be ready by ten.
11 Ann said with regret that she couldn't as she had to type a report
first.
12 Tom expressed horror at the idea of working on Saturday . . .
13 and advised her to change her job.
14 She told him not to be ridiculous and explained that . . .
15 she had volunteered to type the report in return for a free afternoon
the following week.
16 She pointed out that she hadn't known that he was going to ask
her out.
17 Tom said he supposed it was all right b u t . . .
18 warned her not to make a habit of volunteering for weekend work.
19 Ann promised not to.
20 Tom said gloomily that he supposed she'd be busy all morning.
21 Ann assured him that she'd be finished by 11.00 and . . .
22 offered to meet him at the bus stop at Hyde Park Corner.
23 Tom said that it wasn't a very good meeting place and that he'd call
for her.
24 Ann said that that was very kind of him and that she'd be waiting in
the hall.
Hill climb
25 Tom suggested climbing to the top, adding that the view from there
was marvellous . . .
26 but Ann said that they'd been climbing for three hours and that she
was too tired to go any further.
27 She suggested that Tom should go on up while she went down and
waited there.
28 Tom agreed and handed her the car keys, advising her to wait in
the car.
29 He promised to be as quick as he could.
30 Ann said that if he was too long there'd be no lunch left, for she'd
have eaten it all.
143
Indirect speech Indirect speech
10 'He expects a lot of work for very little money,' complained one of
the typists.
'Yes, he does,' agreed the other.
11 'I wish it would rain,' she said.
12 'You pressed the wrong button,' said the mechanic. 'Don't do it
again. You might have a nasty accident.'
13 'Your weight's gone up a lot!' I exclaimed.
'I'm afraid it has,' she said sadly.
14 'I hope you'll have a good journey,' he said. 'Don't forget to send a
card when you arrive.'
15 'Hurrah! I've passed the first exam!' he exclaimed.
'Congratulations!' I said, 'and good luck with the second.'
16 'All right, I'll wait a week,' she said. (Omit all right)
17 'Many happy returns of your birthday!' we said.
'Thanks,' said the boy.
18 'Your door is the shabbiest in the street,' said the neighbour.
'It is,' I said.
19 'Cigarette?'~
'Thanks,' I said.
20 'I'll sell the TV set if you keep quarrelling about the programme,'
said their mother.
'No, don't do that! We won't quarrel any more,' said the children.
21 'I'll give you £500 to keep your mouth shut,' he said to me.
22 'I'll wait for you, I promise,' he said to me.
23 'I'm sorry I'm late,' she said. 'The bus broke down.'
24 'You've been leaking information to the Press!' said his colleagues.
'No, I haven't,' he said. 'Liar!' said Tom.
25 'I'll drop you from the team if you don't train harder,' said the
captain.
26 'If the boys do anything clever, you call them your sons,' complained
his wife. 'But if they do anything stupid, you call them mine.'
27 'Let's have a rest,'said Tom.
'Yes, let's,' said Ann.
28 'Ugh! There's a slug in my lettuce. Waiter!' he cried.
98 Indirect to direct speech
• PEG 307-22
Put the following into direct speech, using dialogue form:
Tom: Would you like to come for a drive tomorrow, Ann?
Ann: I'd love to etc.
Trip to Stratford
1 Tom invited Ann to come for a drive the following day.
2 Ann accepted with pleasure and asked where he was thinking of
going.
142
3 He said he'd leave it to her.
4 She suggested Stratford . . .
5 adding that she hadn't been there for ages.
6 Tom agreed and said that they might go on the river if it was a
fine day.
7 Ann wondered what was on at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
8 Tom said they'd find out when they got there . . .
9 adding that it was usually possible to get seats on the day of the
play.
10 He asked Ann if she could be ready by ten.
11 Ann said with regret that she couldn't as she had to type a report
first.
12 Tom expressed horror at the idea of working on Saturday . . .
13 and advised her to change her job.
14 She told him not to be ridiculous and explained that . . .
15 she had volunteered to type the report in return for a free afternoon
the following week.
16 She pointed out that she hadn't known that he was going to ask
her out.
17 Tom said he supposed it was all right b u t . . .
18 warned her not to make a habit of volunteering for weekend work.
19 Ann promised not to.
20 Tom said gloomily that he supposed she'd be busy all morning.
21 Ann assured him that she'd be finished by 11.00 and . . .
22 offered to meet him at the bus stop at Hyde Park Corner.
23 Tom said that it wasn't a very good meeting place and that he'd call
for her.
24 Ann said that that was very kind of him and that she'd be waiting in
the hall.
Hill climb
25 Tom suggested climbing to the top, adding that the view from there
was marvellous . . .
26 but Ann said that they'd been climbing for three hours and that she
was too tired to go any further.
27 She suggested that Tom should go on up while she went down and
waited there.
28 Tom agreed and handed her the car keys, advising her to wait in
the car.
29 He promised to be as quick as he could.
30 Ann said that if he was too long there'd be no lunch left, for she'd
have eaten it all.
143
