DIRECT, INDIRECT, REPORTED speech

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DIRECT, INDIRECT, REPORTED speech
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When we report peoples words we can use the
exact words that were spoken. This structure is
called direct speech.

• She asked What do you want?
• When we make somebodys words part of our own
  sentence, changing pronouns, tenses and words, if
  necessary we use indirect or reported speech.
• She asked what I wanted

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When we use reported speech, we are usually
talking about the past (because obviously the
person who spoke originally spoke in the past).
The verbs therefore usually have to be in the
past too

• Direct speech He said Im going to the
  cinema.
• Reported speech He said he was going to the
  cinema

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Tense changes
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Other tenses
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• In reported speech we need to use a past form
  when there is a difference between what was said
  and what is really true.
• She said Joe is in hospital.
• She said Joe was in hospital.

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• Exceptions
• If the reported sentence deals with a fact or
  general truth, the present tense is (can be)
  retained. She said that the moon causes the
  tides.
• If the speaker reports something immediately or
  soon after it was said, the noun clause verb
  often remains as spoken. A What did the
  conductor say?B He said that the next stop is
  Northgate.
• If will is the modal in the reported utterance
  and expresses future time, and if the situation
  described in the quote still holds true at the
  time of the indirect report, the will may not be
  changed to would even though the reporting verb
  is in the past tense Mr. Arden said that a
  volcanic eruption will occur next year.

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We dont need to change the verb when

• What we are reporting is still true
• Paul said. My new job is very interesting.
• Paul said his new job is very interesting.
• The reporting verb is in the present
• She says shes going to be late.
• The original words are in the past simple or past
  continuous.
• I loved him / she said she loved him

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• Note
• If the reporting verb (the main verb of the
  sentences, e.g., said, is in the past, the verb
  in the noun clause will usually be in a past
  form.
• If the reporting verb is simple present, present
  perfect, or future, the noun clause verb is not
  changed.
• She says, "I wash my hair every day."She says she
  washes her hair every day.She has said, "I wash
  my hair every day."She has said that she washes
  her hair every day.She will say, "I wash my hair
  every day."She will say that she washes her hair
  every day.

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Personal pronouns

• You also need to be careful with personal
  pronouns. They need to be changed according to
  the situation. You need to know the context. For
  example, there is possible confusion when you try
  to change reported speech to direct speech
• She said she'd been waiting for hours.(Is she
  one person or two different people?)
• I told them they would have to ask
  permission.(Are we talking about two groups of
  people or only one?)

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Say and tell

• If you say who somebody is talking to use tell
• Sonia told me that you were in hospital
• What did you tell the police?
• Otherwise use say
• What did you say?
• But you can say something to somebody
• Ann said goodbye to me and left.

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• The doctor told my husband to double his
  physical activity, so now he changes the channels
  with both hands!

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Tell/ask somebody to do something

• Stay in bed for a few days. The doctor said to
  me.
• The doctor told me to stay in bed for a few days.
• Dont shout I said to Jim.
• He told me not to shout.
• We use the infinitive (to stay, to shout) in
  reported speech especially with TELL and ASK (for
  orders and requests)

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ask

• The verb ask, when used to report a request, is
  followed by an object and to.
• Trevor asked me to get a newspaper for him.
• The verbs warn, remind and tell can be followed
  by an object and to or that.
• She told Sarah to be careful.
• She told Sarah that she must be careful.

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• The verbs complain, explain, exclaim, think
  ,hope, say and suggest can be followed by that
  but NOT by an object.
• She said that the rent must be paid.
• He suggested that we stayed in and watched
  television.
• It is possible to omit THAT after reporting verbs.

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Promise and offer

• Speech related to actions (e.g. promises,
  agreements, offers, requests, advice) is often
  reported with infinitives.
• He promised to write soon.
• He offered to help in case of need.
• She agreed to wait for me.

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A change of place and time may mean changing
words like the following.
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Reported questions

• In reported questions the subject usually comes
  before the verb
• Direct Where is Alice?
• Reported I asked where Alice was.
• D. When are you leaving?
• R. He wanted to know when I was leaving.

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Yes/no questions

• Yes/no questions are reported with if or whether.
• Do you want the town centre?
• The taxi driver asked if I wanted the town centre.

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Change the sentences below into indirect speech

• She said What time are you all leaving?
• Help! he said, Im stuck! Pull me out!
• Is it possible they have disconnected the
  phone? she said.
• I didnt believe it! he said.
• Its a rat! Take it away! he said.

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Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
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• PERHAPS, PERHAPS, PERHAPS
• You wont ____ you love me.And so how am I
  ____________? You only tell mePerhaps, perhaps,
  perhaps.A million times I ask you,And then I
  ask you _______.You only answerPerhaps,
  perhaps, perhaps.If you cant make your _______
  ,Well never get started.And I dont wanna
  _______Being parted, broken-hearted.So if you
  really love me,Say yes.But if you dont, _____,
  confess.And please dont tell mePerhaps,
  perhaps, perhaps.If you cant make your
  __________,Well never get started.And I dont
  wanna ________Being parted, broken-hearted.So
  if you really love me,Say yes.But if you dont,
  _____, confess.And please dont tell mePerhaps,
  perhaps, perhaps,Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps,

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• PERHAPS, PERHAPS, PERHAPS
• You wont admit you love me.And so how am I
  ever to know? You only tell mePerhaps, perhaps,
  perhaps.A million times I ask you,And then I
  ask you over again.You only answerPerhaps,
  perhaps, perhaps.If you cant make your mind
  up,Well never get started.And I dont wanna
  wind upBeing parted, broken-hearted.So if you
  really love me,Say yes.But if you dont, dear,
  confess.And please dont tell mePerhaps,
  perhaps, perhaps.If you cant make your mind
  up,Well never get started.And I dont wanna
  wind upBeing parted, broken-hearted.So if you
  really love me,Say yes.But if you dont, dear,
  confess.And please dont tell mePerhaps,
  perhaps, perhaps,Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps,