Reported Speech for ESL Learners

A Basic Guide to Using Direct and Indirect Speech

Copyright © 2010 SANOOK ENGLISH

Mieder van Loggerenberg E-mail: [email protected]

Index

STEP 1:

WORD ORDER AND PUNCTUATION …………………………………………………………………………………………….……… 1

STEP 2:

BASIC SENTENCE AND VERB STRUCTURE ………………………………………………………………………………………...… 2

STEP 3:

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF THE PERSONS …………………………………………………………………….……… 3

STEP 4:

RULES OF CHANGING PRONOUNS …………………………………………………………………………………………….……….. 4

STEP 5:

TENSE TRANSFORMATION WITH VERBS ………………………………………………………………………….………….……… 7

STEP 6:

REPORTED SPEECH FROM QUESTIONS WH- QUESTION CLAUSES ……………………………………………….……… 13

STEP 7:

YES - NO QUESTION CLAUSES …………………………………………………………………………………………….………………. 17

STEP 8:

COMMANDS, REQUESTS AND ADVICE …………………………………………………………………….………………….……… 20

STEP 9:

UNDERSTANDING HOW SUBJUNCTIVES RELATE TO COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE …………………. 22

STEP 10:

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR REPORTED SPEECH ……………………………………………………………………………………… 26

STEP 11:

QUICK GUIDE TO CHANGE BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH ………………………………………………… 34

STEP 12:

QUICK GUIDE TO REPORTING VERB COLLOCATIONS …………………………………………………………..……………… 35

1

DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH Direct speech: In direct speech, we convey the message of the speaker in his own actual words without any change to another person. Indirect speech: In indirect speech (reported speech), we convey the message of the speaker in our own words to another person.

STEP 1: WORD ORDER AND PUNCTUATION DIRECT SPEECH Direct speech the reporting message can be placed either before or after the reporting speaker but it is important to use the punctuation accordingly.

Direct “I like it,” he said. or He said, “I like it.”

QUICK WORD ORDER AND PUNCTUATION GUIDE FOR INDIRECT SPEECH

+ Positive - Negative

1. Remove comma and quotes I say, “I am happy.” I don’t say, “I am not happy.”

2. Add “that” after “say” I say that I am happy. I don’t say that I am not happy.

3. “that” can be left out I say I am happy. I don’t say I am not happy.

2

STEP 2: BASIC SENTENCE AND VERB STRUCTURE

Subject Predicate Verb Verb Rule

1. S + V (v.i.) Intransitive - Needs preposition when adding object

2. S + V + O (v.t.) Transitive - No preposition needed with noun

3. S + V + Adj. (v.l.) Linking - Verb used independently from main verbs, takes the form of auxiliary verbs with tense. Usually emotion verbs and the verb “to be” can be used as a non-continuous verb.

4. S + V + Adv. (v.l.)

5. S + V + N (v.l.)

“told” and “said” has the same meaning but different usage “told” is (v.t.) needs an object “said” is (v.i.) with or without object, needs “to” when adding an object.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

He told me, “He is playing well.” He told me that he was playing well.

He said, “He is playing well.” He said that he was playing well.

or

He said to me, “He is playing well.” He said to me that he was playing well.

3

STEP 3: UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF THE PERSONS

1st First person : the one who is speaking. I and we

2nd Second person : the one who is listening. you / thou (thou used for God or poems)

3rd Third person : the one about whom we are talking. he, she, they and (it)

QUICK GUIDE TO TABLE OF PERSONS

Person Subject Object Possessive Adj. Possessive Pron. Reflexive Pron.

1st singular I me my mine myself

1st plural We us our ours ourselves

2nd singular You you your yours yourself

2nd plural You you your yours yourselves

3rd singular He him his his himself

3rd singular She her her hers herself

3rd singular John John / him John’s / his John’s / his himself

3rd singular Jill Jill / her Jill’s / her Jill’s / hers herself

3rd plural They them their theirs themselves

4

STEP 4:

RULES OF CHANGING PRONOUNS We have to change the pronouns to keep the same meaning of a sentence. EXAMPLE


He said, “They called us.” He said they had called them.

She said, “I like your jeans.” She said she liked my jeans.

Sometimes we have to use a noun instead of a pronoun to avoid confusion of who had done the action. If we only make mechanical changes (John said he had killed them), the new sentence can have a different meaning - John himself killed them. EXAMPLE


John said, “He killed them.” John said that the man had killed them.

QUICK WORD GUIDE FOR PRONOUNS AND POSSESSIVES Subj.

1st singular 1st plural 2nd singular 2nd plural 3rd singular 3rd plural

D I we singular you plural you he, she, it they

I he you I we I you

she they she they we

you he

it it

Obj.

1st singular 1st plural 2nd singular 2nd plural 3rd singular 3rd plural

D me us singular you plural you him, her, it them

I him you me us me us

her them him them you you

you her

it it

Poss. Adj.

1st singular 1st plural 3rd singular 3rd plural * *

D my our his, her, its their your John’s, Jill’s

I your your my our my John’s

his their your your his, her

her his

its her

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QUICK RULE GUIDE FOR CHANGING PRONOUNS

How to change the subject of Indirect Speech

Subject Indirect 1st person 2nd person 3rd person

Change to Direct S (subject) O (object) N (no change)

RULE 1: If “2nd subj.” in Direct is 1st person then for Indirect change it to be the same as 1st subj. of Direct

1st subj. 1st obj. 2nd subj.

Direct 3rd person 1st person

Indirect change to 1st subj.

Direct : He said, “I am with you at your house.”

Indirect : He said that he was with me at my house.

Direct : She said, “My brother is with me at their house.”

Indirect : She said that her brother was with her at their house.

Direct : John said, “She helps me with my homework.”

Indirect : John said that she helped him with his homework.

RULE 2: If the 1st subj. and “2nd subj.” in Direct is the same and is 1st person then no change for subject in Indirect


Direct 1st person 1st person

Indirect no change

Direct : I said, “I write a letter.”

Indirect : I said that I wrote a letter.

Direct : We said, “We completed our work.”

Indirect : We said that we completed our work.

RULE 3: If “2nd subj.” in Direct is 2nd person then for Indirect change it to be the same as 1st obj. of Direct


Direct 1st obj. 2nd person

Indirect change to 1st obj.

Direct : She said to him, “You are intelligent”

Indirect : She said to him that he was intelligent.

Direct : He said to me, “You have to come with me.”

Indirect : He told me that I had to go with him.

Direct : She said to me, “Your friend has to help me.”

Indirect : She told me that my friend had to help her.

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RULE 4: If “2nd subj.” in Direct is 3rd person then for Indirect then no change for subject in Indirect


Direct 3rd person

Indirect no change

Direct : They said, “He will come to your party.”

Indirect : They said that he would come to my party.

Direct : He said, “Her mother is a good parent.”

Indirect : He said that her mother was a good parent.

RULE 5: If “2nd subj.” in Direct is 1st person plural (We) then for Indirect then change it to be 3rd person plural (they)


Direct 1st person (We)

Indirect 3rd person (they)

Direct : He says to her, “We are working hard.”

Indirect : He says to her that they are working hard.

Direct : She told us, “We should be really glad.”

Indirect : She told us they would be really glad.

Direct : He explained, “We are doing exercises.”

Indirect : He explained that they were doing exercises.

RULE 6: If “2nd subj.” is 3rd person and If 1st subj. and “2nd subj.” is different in Direct then for Indirect change it to a matching noun of gender and quantity


Direct Different from 2nd subj. 3rd person

Indirect Noun.

Direct : John said, “He killed them.”

Indirect : John said that the man had killed them.

Direct : We said, “She is at work.”

Indirect : We said that the woman was at work.

Direct : You said, “they stole the money.”

Indirect : You said that the robbers had stolen the money.

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STEP 5: TENSE TRANSFORMATION WITH VERBS Indirect speech (reported speech) is typically introduced by verbs such as say and tell in the past tense. As a rule, when you report something someone has said you go back a tense. There are many other verbs we can use apart from said, told and asked, these include:

accused agreed begged denied implied ordered remind

admitted alleged boasted explained invited promised replied

advised apologized complained hoped offered refused thought

EXAMPLE

Indirect Speech

He asked me to come to the party. He invited me to the party. He begged me to come to the party. He ordered me to come to the party. He advised me to come to the party. He suggested I should come to the party.

RULE 1: If these (reporting) verbs are in verb 1 form (say, tell), we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE EXAMPLE


Present Simple I say, “I am elated.”

Present Simple (NO CHANGE) I say that I am elated.

Past Simple He says, “I was a fool then.”

Past Simple (NO CHANGE) He says that he was a fool then.

Future Simple She says, “I will be more experienced then.”

Future Simple (NO CHANGE) She says that she will be more experienced then.

Present Simple (will say) I will say, “He loves cricket.”

Present Simple (NO CHANGE) I will say that he loves cricket.

Past Simple (will say) She will say, “He was in the shop then.”

Past Simple (NO CHANGE) She will say that he was in the shop then.

Future Simple (will say) They will say, “We will achieve greatness.”

Future Simple (NO CHANGE) They will say that we will achieve greatness.

RULE 2: If these (reporting) verbs are in the past tense (said, told), we CHANGE the following:

Verb Tenses and Verb Forms Pronouns Adverbs of time and place

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QUICK TENSE CHANGE GUIDE

1. Present

Past

2. Past Past Perfect

3. Future Conditional

* Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE QUICK 12 TENSES CHANGE GUIDE

1. Present Simple Past Simple

2. Past Simple Past Perfect

3. Future Simple Cond. Future Simple

4. Present Perfect Past Perfect

5. Past Perfect NO CHANGE

6. Future Perfect Cond. Future Perfect

7. Present Continuous Past Continuous

8. Past Continuous Past Perfect Cont.

9. Future Continuous Cond. Future Continuous

10. Present Perfect Cont. Past Perfect Cont.

11. Past Perfect Cont. NO CHANGE

12. Future Perfect Cont. Cond. Future Perfect Cont.

EXAMPLE


Present Simple She said, “It is cold.”

Past Simple She said it was cold.

Present Continuous She said, “I’m teaching English.”

Past Continuous She said she was teaching English.

Present Perfect She said, “I have been on the web since 1999.”

Past Perfect She said she had been on the web since 1999.

Present Perfect Continuous She said, “I have been teaching English for seven years.”

Past Perfect Continuous She said she had been teaching English for seven years.

Past Simple She said, “I taught online yesterday.”

Past Perfect She said she had taught online yesterday.

Past Continuous She said, “I was teaching earlier.”

Past Perfect Continuous She said she had been teaching earlier.

Past Perfect She said, “The lesson had already started when he arrived.”

Past Perfect (NO CHANGE) She said the lesson had already started when he arrived.

Past Perfect Continuous She said, “I had already been teaching for five minutes.”

Past Perfect Continuous (NO CHANGE) She said she had already been teaching for five minutes.

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! NOTE - With Future tenses the verb that refers to future such as “will, shall and may” changes into conditionals but the form of the tense does not change.

Pronoun Future Indirect

All will would

I, We shall would

I, We should would

All shall should

All should no change

EXAMPLE


will He reminded me, “I will come on Sunday.”

would He reminded me that he would come on Sunday.

I shall He said, “I shall appreciate it.”

would He said he would appreciate it.

We should She told us, “We should be really glad."

would She told us they would be really glad.

! NOTE - When we are talking about the present or past feelings, we must change it otherwise it will not be clear. EXAMPLE


Feelings He said, “I hated her.”

Feelings He said that he had hated her.

RULE 3: If Direct Speech reporting verbs are in the past tense (said, told) with a modal verb, we CHANGE THE MODAL VERB BUT NOT THE TENSE QUICK MODAL VERBS GUIDE

can could could no change

must had to would no change

may might should no change

shall should might no change

will would used to no change

did had done ought to no change

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EXAMPLES


can He said, “I can do it.”

could He said he could do it.

must She said, “I must have a computer to teach English online.”

had to She said she had to have a computer to teach English online.

may He said to me, “You may need help.”

might He told me I might need help.

shall She said, “I shall go to work.”

should She said that she should go to work.

will He said, “I will work hard.”

would He said that she would work hard.

did She said, “You did your homework.”

had done She said that I had done my homework.

! NOTE - THERE IS HOWEVER NO CHANGE TO: could, would, should, might, used to and ought to. EXAMPLE


might “I might go to the cinema”, he said.

might (NO CHANGE) He said he might go to the cinema.

! NOTE - If the modal verb must DOES NOT EXPRESS OBLIGATION, we DO NOT CHANGE it. However we do not usually change the modal verbs must and needn’t but is some cases we can.

must had to would have to Would / wouldn’t have to, used only for future obligations. needn’t didn’t have to wouldn’t have to

EXAMPLE


might “I might go to the cinema”, he said.

might (NO CHANGE) He said he might go to the cinema.

must He said, “I must wash up.”

had to (PAST OBLIGATION) He said he had to wash up.

must He said, “We must do it in June.”

would have to (FUTURE OBLIGATION) He said they would have to do it in June.

must (SUGGESTION) He said, “We must relax for a while.”

must (NOT EXPRESS OBLIGATION - NO CHANGE) He said they must relax for a while.

must (CERTAINTY) He said, “You must be tired after such a trip.”

must (NOT EXPRESS OBLIGATION - NO CHANGE) He said we must be tired after such a trip.

needn’t He said, “I needn’t be at school today.”

needn’t / didn’t have to / wouldn’t have to He said he needn’t be at school that day. He said he didn’t have to be at school that day. He said he wouldn’t have to be at school that day.

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RULE 4: If the Direct Speech in the quotation marks talk of (Present or Past Simple Rules: repeated actions facts or habits, except feelings) then follow Rule 1 (we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE) EXAMPLE


Fact The teacher said, “The sun rises in the east.”

Fact (NO CHANGE IN TENSE) The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.

Something is still true She said, “My name is Jill.”

Something is still true She said her name is Jill. or She said her name was Jill.

Action I said, “She did it on Sunday.”

Action I said she did it on Sunday.

RULE 5: You can also use the present tense if you are talking about a future event by using an Adverb of Time. If Direct Speech reporting verbs are in the past tense (said, told) with an Adverb of Time then follow Rule 1 (we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE) EXAMPLE


Present Simple (about the future) She said, “Next week’s lesson is on reported speech.”

Present Simple (NO CHANGE IN TENSE) (about the future) She said next week’s lesson is on reported speech.

RULE 6: Special verbs: after - wish, would rather, had better, it is time, we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE. EXAMPLE


wish Jill said, “I wish they were in Paris.”

wished Jill said she wished they were in Paris.

would rather John said, “I would rather fly.”

would rather John said he would rather fly.

had better Jill said, “They had better go.”

had better Jill said they had better go.

It is time John said, “It is time I got up.”

It was time John said it was time he got up.

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RULE 7: If-clauses: we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE.

Present Real Conditional Present Unreal Conditional

If + (Present Simple) + (Present Simple) If + (Past Simple) + (Future Simple) would

If I have time, I study English. Sometimes I have time.

If I had time, I would study English. I don't have time.

Past Real Conditional Past Unreal Conditional

If + (Past Simple) + (Past Simple) If + (Past Perfect) + (Future Perfect) would

If I had time, I studied English. Sometimes I had time.

If I had had time, I would have studied English. I didn't have time.

Future Real Conditional Future Unreal Conditional

If + (Present Simple) + (Future Simple) If + (Past Simple) + (Future Simple) would

If I have time, I will study English. I don't know if I will have time or not.

If I had time, I would study English. I won't have time.

EXAMPLE


Jill said, “If I cleaned my room, my dad would be happy.”

Jill said that if she cleaned her room, her dad would be happy.

RULE 8: Time-clauses: we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE. EXAMPLE


John said, “When I was staying in Bangkok I worked at Tesco Lotus.”

He said that when he was staying in Bangkok he worked at Tesco Lotus.

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STEP 6:

REPORTED SPEECH FROM QUESTIONS - WH- QUESTION CLAUSES QUICK GUIDE FOR CHANGING WH- QUESTIONS TO INDIRECT SPEECH

1. Remove comma, quotes and question mark My friend said, “How are you?”

2. Change said to asked 3. Join clauses using: how, who, whom, where, when,

or why

My friend asked how are you.

4. Change 2nd verb to the same tense as the 1st verb how was I.

5. Put the subject before the verb My friend asked how I was.

RULE 1: In reporting questions, the indirect Speech uses the verbs: asked / inquired / requested * Usually the QUESTION FORMS for direct in the quotation marks CHANGE TO POSITIVE FORM in indirect. The reporting verb say changes into ask, want to know, wonder. EXAMPLE


He said to me, “What are you doing?” He asked me what I was doing.

A stranger asked me, “Where do you live?” A stranger enquired where I lived.

The Policemen said to us, “Where are you going?”

The Policemen asked us where we were going.

He said, “Will you listen to such a man?”

He asked them whether they would listen to such a man.

His angry mother jeered, “Do you suppose you know better than your father?”

His angry mother jeered and asked whether he supposed that he knew better than his father.

He said, “Where have you been?” He asked me where I had been.

He said, “What time did it start?” He wanted to know what time it had started.

She said, “Why won't he do it?” She wondered why he wouldn't do it.

RULE 2: WH- QUESTION CLAUSES DO NOT FOLLOW the VERB TENSE ADJUSTMENT AS REPORTING STATEMENTS and CAN TAKE MORE THAN ONE TENSE FORM with reporting questions. QUICK TENSE CHANGE GUIDE FOR WH- QUESTION

1. Present

Past

2. Past Past


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QUICK 12 TENSES CHANGE GUIDE FOR WH- QUESTION


2. Past Simple Past Simple or Perfect

3. Future Simple Cond. (If) Future Simple

4. Present Perfect Past Simple or Perfect


6. Future Perfect Cond. (If) Future Perfect


8. Past Continuous Past Continuous

9. Future Continuous Cond. (If) Future Continuous

10. Present Perfect Cont. Past Continuous or Perfect Cont.


12. Future Perfect Cont. Cond. (If) Future Perfect Cont.

EXAMPLE


Present Simple She said, “How are you?”

Past Simple She asked how I was

Present Continuous She said, “Where are you going?”

Past Continuous She said she was teaching English.

Present Perfect She said, “Where have you been?”

Past Simple or Past Perfect She asked where I was. She asked where I had been.

Present Perfect Continuous She said, “How have you been doing?”

Past Continuous or Past Perfect Continuous She asked how I was doing. She asked how I had been doing.

Past Simple She said, “Whom did you call?"

Past Simple or Past Perfect She asked whom I called. She asked whom I had called.

Past Continuous She said, “Whom were you calling?”

Past Continuous She asked whom I was calling.

Present Simple (GENERAL TRUTH) She said, “How hot is the sun?”

Present or Past Simple (GENERAL TRUTH) She asked how hot the sun is.

Present Simple (AT THE MOMENT) She said, “How hot is the weather today?”

Present or Past Simple (AT THE MOMENT) She asked how hot the weather was.

Present Simple (AT THE MOMENT) She said, “What are you thinking?"”

Present or Past Simple (AT THE MOMENT) She asked what I was thinking. She asked what I am thinking.

Present Simple (PERMANENTLY) She said, “What do you think?”

Present or Past Simple (PERMANENTLY) She asked what I think.

Future (CONDITIONALS) She said, “ Will you make coffee?”

Present or Past Simple (PERMANENTLY) She asked me if I would make coffee.

15

RULE 3: SUBORDINATE WH-QUESTIONS - ADDING A PERSONAL COMMENT In a WH-QUESTION, the QUESTION WORD BECOMES the PRONOUN that JOINS the CLAUSE to a main sentence. The QUOTE CAN BE PLACED WITHIN A STATEMENT. The speaker restates the quote and adds a personal comment. The SAME TENSE, PRONOUN AND ADVERB CHANGES need to be applied. EXAMPLE

QUOTED WH-QUESTION COMMENT WITH WH-QUESTION

“Where did he go?”

I don't know where he went. (Adjust verb to past tense.) Where he went is a mystery to me.

“How long were you there?”

I can't remember how long I was here. (Adjust adverb: there – here.) How long I was here is something I can't remember.

“Which way shall we turn?”

I have no idea which way we should turn. Which way we should turn is something I can't answer.

“What time is it?”

Can you tell me what time it is? What time it is is a mystery to me.

“Where are you tonight?”

He couldn't tell me where he was that night. (Adjust adverb: tonight – that night.) Where he was that night was something he couldn't tell me.

“Who is she?”

Do you happen to know who she is. Who she is, is a question I can't answer.

“Why are you always late?”

She couldn't answer why she is always late. (Do not change verb tense for "general truth".) Why she is always late is a mystery to her.

! NOTE - COMMON MISTAKES EXAMPLE

ERROR FIX

The man asked what time is it. (This is a common error of native speakers as well)

The man asked what time it was.

She asked where are we going for lunch.

She asked where we were going for lunch. (asking plans) She asked where to go for lunch. (asking instructions)

16

RULE 4: EMBEDDED WH-questions shortened to with an infinitive Commenting on a means or method question REQUESTING INSTRUCTIONS - In a WH-QUESTION that ASKS MEANS or METHOD (instructions), should or could is commonly used. COMMENTING ON REQUEST - The VERB CAN BE SHORTENED TO AN INFINITIVE (to + verb) in an embedded statement on means or method of doing something (instructions). EXAMPLE

REQUESTING INSTRUCTIONS COMMENTING ON REQUEST

“Where should I go?”

I don't know where to go. I don't know where you should go.

“How do you use a dictionary?” method

I can't remember how to use a dictionary. I can't remember how I should use a dictionary.

“Which way shall we turn?”

I have no idea which way to turn. I have no idea which way we should turn.

“What time should we leave?”

Can you tell me what time to leave? Can you tell me what time we should leave?

“Where can I find a pharmacy?”

He couldn't tell me where to find a pharmacy. He couldn't tell me where I could find a pharmacy.

"Who shall we invite?"

Let's decide who to invite. Let's decide who we should invite.

“Why should we be late?” (This question asks about plans.)

She couldn't answer why to be late. (This is not a statement of means or method.)

17

STEP 7:

YES-NO QUESTION CLAUSES QUICK GUIDE FOR CHANGING YES-NO QUESTION CLAUSES TO INDIRECT SPEECH

1. Remove comma, quotes and question mark My friend said, “Are you coming?”

2. Change said to asked 3. Join clauses using: whether or if

My friend asked if are you coming

4. Change 2nd verb to the same tense as the 1st verb if was I coming

5. Put the subject before the verb My friend asked if I was coming

RULE 1: YES-NO QUESTIONS DIFFER FROM WH-QUESTIONS. These QUOTED QUESTIONS can use different reporting verbs such as said or asked. These QUOTED QUESTIONS can also BEGIN WITH AUXILIARY VERB forms such as: is, are, am, do, does, has, have, can, will, must. They can be ANSWERED WITH “yes” or “no”. The pronoun whether or if is used to embed (insert) the question clause into the main clause. EXAMPLE

QUOTED QUESTION REPORTED QUESTION

He said, “Are you coming?” He asked, whether I was coming or not.

She asked, “Is your brother coming too?” She asked, if my brother was coming too.

He asked, “Can you drive us?” He asked, whether I could drive them.

She asked, “Will you have enough gas?” She asked, if I would have enough gas.

He asked, “Do we have enough money for gas?”

He asked, whether we had enough money for gas.

RULE 2: YES-NO QUESTIONS FOLLOW THE SAME VERB TENSE ADJUSTMENT AS REPORTING STATEMENTS. THE SAME RULES APPLY FOR MODAL VERBS WHERE THE MODAL CHANGES BUT THE TENSE DOES NOT CHANGE. QUICK TENSE CHANGE GUIDE FOR YES-NO QUESTIONS

4. Present

Past

5. Past Past Perfect


* Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE

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QUICK 12 TENSES CHANGE GUIDE


2. Past Simple Past Perfect

3. Future Simple Cond. Future Simple

4. Present Perfect Past Perfect


6. Future Perfect Cond. Future Perfect


8. Past Continuous Past Perfect Cont.

9. Future Continuous Cond. Future Continuous

10. Present Perfect Cont. Past Perfect Cont.


12. Future Perfect Cont. Cond. Future Perfect Cont.

EXAMPLE


Present Simple She said, “Do you live here?”

Past Simple She asked if I lived there.

Am , Are, Is (Present Simple) She asked, “Are you tired?”

Am , Are, Is (Past Simple) She asked whether I was tired. She asked whether I were tired.

Present Continuous She said, “Are you working?”

Past Continuous She asked whether I was working. She asked whether I were working.

Present Perfect She asked, “Have you called yet?”

Past Perfect She asked if I had called yet.

Present Perfect Continuous She said, “Have you been calling me?”

Past Perfect Continuous She asked if I had been calling her.

Past Simple She asked, “Were you married?” She asked, “Did you get married?"

Past Perfect She asked whether I had been married. She asked if I had gotten married.

Past Continuous She said, “Were you calling?”

Past Perfect Continuous She asked whether I had been calling.

! NOTE - If the tense reflects "general truth", it does not change to past form.

Present Simple (GENERAL TRUTH) She said, “Do you like dancing?”

Present or Past Simple (GENERAL TRUTH) She asked whether I like dancing.

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QUICK MODAL VERBS GUIDE

can could

must had to

may might

shall should

will would

EXAMPLE


Can She asked, “Can I help?”

could She asked if she could help.

Must She asked, “Must you do that?”

had to or need to She questioned if I had to do that exactly then. She questioned if I need to do that exactly then.

May She asked, “May I come too?”

might She asked whether she might come too.

Shall She asked, “Shall I make lunch?”

would She asked if she should make lunch.

Will She asked, “Will you leave soon?”

would She inquired whether we would leave soon.

! NOTE - must changes to need to or had to in past tense ! NOTE - The reporting verb CAN BE SUBSTITUTED for other verbs DEPENDING ON WHAT THE SPEAKER WANTED TO SAY. Synonyms

SYNONYM MEANING SENTENCE

ask (asked)

request information or something

My neighbor asked if I was going to go on vacation.

inquire (inquired)

request information (formal) Mr. Smith inquired whether there were any more books available.

question (questioned)

settle doubt My instructor questioned if I am / was working hard enough.

query (queried)

settle doubt (data) The teacher queried whether I had finished the homework.

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STEP 8:

COMMANDS, REQUESTS AND ADVICE Commands and Requests in Direct Speech change to indirect Speech Verb expressing commands and requests. The IMPERATIVE MOOD is CHANGED TO INFINITIVE MOOD. QUICK GUIDE FOR CHANGING YES-NO QUESTION CLAUSES TO INDIRECT SPEECH

1. Remove comma, quotes and exclamation mark He said, “Get up!”

2. Change said to verb related to command, request or advice

3. Add object + infinitive

He told me to get up.

RULE 1: The commands, requests and advice mostly have the same form in English: verb + object + infinitive (advise, ask, beg, forbid, order, persuade, recommend, tell, urge, warn etc.). Unlike the direct speech the PERSON ADDRESSED MUST BE MENTIONED IN THE INDIRECT SPEECH. EXAMPLE


He said, “Get up!” He told me to get up.

He said, “Please, revise for the test.” He urged me to revise for the test.

I said, “Put on your coat.” I advised him to put on his coat.

RULE 2: Negative commands, requests and advice are made by verb + object + not + infinitive. EXAMPLE


He said, “Don't hesitate.” He persuaded me not to hesitate.

The doctor warned my father, “Don't smoke.” The doctor warned my father not to smoke.

! NOTE - Tell CAN INTRODUCE STATEMENTS, COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE. However the FORM IS DIFFERENT. EXAMPLE


STATEMENTS WITH TELL (NOT USE INFINITIVE)

He told me, “I am leaving.” He told me that he was leaving.

COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE WITH TELL (USE INFINITIVE)

He told John, “Leave the room!” He told John to leave the room.

The teacher told her students, “Don't give up.” The teacher told the students not to give up.

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! NOTE - Say and Tell can be followed by should with the pronoun I, we or he, she, they. EXAMPLE


The doctor said, “Get some rest.”

The doctor said that (you) get some rest. The doctor said that I get some rest. The doctor said that I should get some rest.

! NOTE - Similarly ask is USED IN REPORTED QUESTIONS, COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE IN DIFFERENT FORMS. EXAMPLE


QUESTIONS WITH ASK (NOT USE INFINITIVE)

He said, “Will you make coffee?” He asked me if I would make coffee.

COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE WITH ASK (USE INFINITIVE)

He said, “Make coffee, please.” He asked me to make coffee.

John told me, “Don't park in my place.” John asked me not to park in his place.

RULE 2: Exclamation and Wishes in Direct Speech change to Indirect Speech. Verbs and punctuation can express Exclamation and Wishes.

! exclaimed, applauded

cried called upon

EXAMPLE


He said, “Alas! I am undone” He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.

Jill said, “How clever I am?” Jill exclaimed that she was very clever.

He said, “Bravo! You have done well.” He applauded him, saying that he had done well.

“So help me, Heaven!” he cried, “I will never steal again”.

He called upon Heaven to witness his choice never to steal again.

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STEP 9:

UNDERSTANDING HOW SUBJUNCTIVES RELATE TO COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE RULE 1: SUBJUNCTIVES FORM FORM Use the simple form (V1) of the verb. The simple form is the infinitive without the “to.” The simple form of the verb “to go” is “go.”However the Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. USE The Subjunctive is used to EMPHASIZE URGENCY OR IMPORTANCE. It is USED AFTER CERTAIN EXPRESSIONS. EXAMPLES: I suggest that he study. NOTICE The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. In the examples below, the Subjunctive is not noticeable in the “you-form” of the verb, but it is noticeable in the “he-form” of the verb. EXAMPLES: You try to study often. (you-form of “try”) It is important that you try to study often. (Subjunctive form of “try”) looks the same. He tries to study often. (he-form of “try”) It is important that he try to study often. (Subjunctive form of “try”) is noticeable here. VERBS FOLLOWED BY THE SUBJUNCTIVE The Subjunctive is used after the following verbs:

to advise (that) to demand (that) to propose (that) to suggest (that)

to ask (that) to desire (that) to recommend (that) to urge (that)

to command (that) to insist (that) to request (that)

EXAMPLES: The teacher insists that her students be on time. EXPRESSIONS FOLLOWED BY THE SUBJUNCTIVE The Subjunctive is used after the following expressions:

It is best (that) It is essential (that) It is recommended (that) It is a good idea (that)

It is crucial (that) It is imperative (that) It is urgent (that) It is a bad idea (that)

It is desirable (that) It is important (that) It is vital (that)

EXAMPLES: It is important she attend the meeting.

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NEGATIVE, CONTINUOUS AND PASSIVE FORMS OF SUBJUNCTIVE The Subjunctive can be used in negative, continuous and passive forms. NEGATIVE EXAMPLES: The boss insisted that John not be at the meeting. PASSIVE EXAMPLES: John recommended that Jill be hired immediately. CONTINUOUS EXAMPLES: I propose that we all be waiting in John's apartment when he gets home. SHOULD AS SUBJUNCTIVE After many of the above expressions, the word “should” is sometimes used to express the idea of subjunctiveness. This form is used more frequently in British English and is most common after the verbs “suggest,” “recommend” and “insist.” The use of the subjunctive is more common in American English than in British English, where should + infinitive is often used. EXAMPLES: The teacher suggested that Wilma should study harder for the final exam. (BrE) The manager insists that the car park should be locked at night. (AmE) RULE 2: SUBJUNCTIVE VS. INFINITIVE VERB FORM When reporting a command, wish or suggestion, say or tell is followed by a that-clause or a shortened infinitive clause. The verb in the “that-clause” includes the subjunctive verb form, the plain form of the verb. EXAMPLE

QUOTED COMMAND REPORTED COMMAND

The doctor said, “Get some rest.”

The doctor said (that) I should get some rest. The doctor told me to get some rest. The doctor said to get some rest.

CLAUSE WITH SUBJUNCTIVE VERB Subjunctive Verbs expressing a wish, suggestion or order are followed by a noun/pronoun and a that-clause. ! NOTE - the verb in the clause is not inflected with a final -s for 3rd person singular - John, he, she, the group. Standard form with 3rd person singular: He leaves the house.

SUBJ. NOUN & VERB NOMINATIVE PRONOUN CLAUSE (SUBJUNCTIVE VERB)

The teacher ordered that he (3rd person sing.) leave. (subjunctive verb form)

The teacher ordered that you leave.

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INIFINITIVE CLAUSE A similar meaning expressed with an infinitive clause. Following the verb is a noun or an accusative pronoun (the pronouns me, us, her, him, them, whom, whomever are accusative), which are both the object of the verb and the understood subject of the infinitive clause.

SUBJ. NOUN & VERB ACCUSATIVE PRONOUN INFINITIVE CLAUSE

The teacher ordered him to leave.

The teacher ordered you to leave.

! NOTE - COMMON MISTAKES EXAMPLE

ERROR FIX

I advised that John leaves.

I advised John to leave. I advised that John leave.

SUBJUNCTIVE AND INIFINITIVE VERBS EXAMPLES:

VERBS ORDER SUBJ. NOUN & VERB NOMINATIVE + SUBJUNCTIVE

ACCUSATIVE + INFINITIVE

COMPLEMENT

advise We advised that he take him to take a break.

ask She asked that we come us to come along.

beg She begged that we stay us to stay up late.

caution The doctor cautioned that we rest us to rest a day.

command He commanded that we stop us to stop talking.

advise We advised that he take him to take a break.

ask She asked that we come us to come along.

beg She begged that we stay us to stay up late.

caution The doctor cautioned that we rest us to rest a day.

command He commanded that we stop us to stop talking.

desire We desired that I see me to see him.

directed He directed that we follow us to follow him.

forbid She forbids that he stay him to stay out late.

instruct He instructed that we go us to go home.

intend He didn't intend that we do us to do all the work.

order They ordered that we carry us to carry a passport.

pledge He pledged that we help us to help out.

prefers She prefers that he see him to see it.

prescribe Dr. Lee prescribed that he take him to take aspirin.

signal They signaled that we come us to come in.

recommend He recommends that you be you to be hired.

request They requested that we dress us to dress formally.

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SUBJUNCTIVE AND INIFINITIVE VERBS CONT. EXAMPLES:

VERBS ORDER SUBJ. NOUN & VERB NOMINATIVE + SUBJUNCTIVE

ACCUSATIVE + INFINITIVE

COMPLEMENT

require We require that you stay you to stay late.

urge We urged that he be him to be more careful.

vote We vote that she be her to be President.

IMPERATIVE VERBS ! NOTE - It has the meaning of ordering someone to do something EXAMPLES:

IMPERATIVE VERB

SUBJ. NOUN & VERB NOMINATIVE + SUBJUNCTIVE

NO ACCUSATIVE + INFINITIVE

COMPLEMENT

demand They demanded that he leave -

insist They insisted that she come - along.

propose They propose that he go - first.

recommend They recommend that she hires - him.

suggested We suggested that he try - again.

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STEP 10:

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR REPORTED SPEECH

RULE 1: THE RULES OF CHANGING “Here and Now words” ! NOTE - in spoken English, when the place or the thing is in your reach, “this” and “here” don’t change, they remain unchanged. EXAMPLE


They say, “We don’t like this place.” They say that they don’t like that place.

He said, “I don’t like this chair.” He said that he didn’t like this chair.

RULE 2: THE RULES OF CHANGING INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES 1. The reporting verb changes into “asked” or “enquired of”. 2. Interrogative sentence is made affirmative sentence. 3. In the place of question mark, we use full stop. 4. “do”, “does” and “did” are removed. 5. Helping verbs or model verbs come after its subject. 6. If the interrogative sentence is from helping verb or model verb, we use “if” or “whether” instead of

“that”. 7. If the interrogative sentence is from Wh-/How word, the Wh-/How word remains in the same place. 8. We don’t use “if”, “whether” or “that” with Wh-/How word. EXAMPLE


He said to her, “Do you know him.” He asked her if she knew him.

I said to him, “Are you coming with us.” I asked him whether he was coming with us.

He said to him, “Where were you going yesterday.”

He asked him where he had been going the previous day.

RULE 3: THE RULES OF CHANGING IMPERATIVE SENTENCES If the sentence is a request, suggestion, order or advice it is called imperative sentence.

1. reported verb full infinitive

2. order “ordered”

3. order asked” or “told” (less stress)

4. request “requested/entreated”

5. advice “advised”

6. advice “urged” (more stress)

7. never “told”, “advised” or “forbade” (no “not” after “forbade”)

8. direction “directed”

9. suggestion suggested to”

10. warning “warn”

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! NOTE - if a person is addressed directly, the reporting verb changes into “called” EXAMPLE


She said to them, “Please, help me.” She requested them to help her.

He said to him, “Don’t make mistakes again.” He warned him not to make mistakes again.

RULE 4: THE RULES OF CHANGING OPTATIVE SENTENCES When the verbs “pray” or “wish” are used in a sentence it is called an Optative sentence. 1. “May” will change into “might” and it will come after the reported subject. 2. The verb of reported speech will remain unchanged. 3. The exclamation mark will change into full stop. 4. “that” comes between the two speeches. 5. The reporting verb sometimes changes into “prayed” and sometimes into “prayed for”.

! NOTE (i) If the object of reporting speech is related with the subject of reported speech, the reporting verb

will change into “prayed for”. (ii) If the object of reporting speech is not related with the subject of reported speech, the reporting

verb will change into “prayed” and the object of reporting speech is omitted. EXAMPLE


He said to me, “May you recover soon.” He prayed for me that I might recover soon.

He said to me, “May he recover soon.” He prayed that he might recover soon.

RULE 5: THE RULES OF CHANGING EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES 1. Exclamatory sentence changes into assertive sentence. 2. Interjections are removed. 3. Exclamation mark changes into full stop. 4. We put that between the two speeches. 5. Wh-/How words like, “what” and “how” are removed and before the adjective of reported speech we

put “very”. 6. Changes of “tenses”, “pronouns” and “here and now words” will be according to the rules.

7. sorrow “exclaimed with sorrow/grief/exclaimed sorrowfully or cried out”

! NOTE - if the sorrow is being expressed strongly, the reporting verb will change into “exclaimed with great sorrow/grief”.

8. happiness “exclaimed with joy/delight/exclaimed joyfully”

! NOTE - if the happiness is being expressed strongly, the reporting verb will change into “exclaimed with great joy/delight”

9. surprise “exclaimed with surprise/wonder/astonishment”

! NOTE - the reporting verb can be changed into “said in great surprise/wonder/astonishment” (i) If the surprise is being expressed strongly, the reporting verb will change into “exclaimed with great

/ said in great surprise /wonder/astonishment”. (i) If there is an appreciation and it is being expressed strongly, the reporting verb will change into

“applauded”.

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EXAMPLE


She said, “Alas! My mother has become paralyzed.”

She exclaimed with great grief that her mother had become paralyzed.

He said to his teacher, “How lucky you are to win this match!”

He said to his teacher in great wonder that he was very lucky to win that match.

I said to them, “Bravo! You played very well.” I applauded them that they had played very well.

RULE 6: HOW TO WE CHANGE “LET” FROM DIRECT INTO INDIRECT “let” is changed from direct into indirect in three different ways. 1. If there is proposal in reported speech.

a) The reporting verb changes into proposed / suggested. b) “let” is removed. c) We put “should” before the reported verb. d) We put “that” between the two speeches. ! NOTE (i) If there is an object in reporting speech, the reporting verb changes into “proposed to/

suggested to”.

EXAMPLE


He said, “Let us play chess.” He proposed that they should play chess.

He said to them, “Let us play football.”

He proposed to them that they should play football.

(ii) according to the rule, 1st person of reported speech changes according to the subject of

reporting speech but here in the usage of “let” with suggestion; if the object of reporting speech is 1st person, the 1st person of reported speech changes against the rule according to the object of reporting speech.

EXAMPLE


He said to me, “Let us go to cinema.” He proposed that we should go to cinema.

(iii) here object is commonly removed. ! NOTE - if the object of the reporting speech is the 2nd person, we will not apply “SON” formula. ! NOTE - normally “you” cannot be the object of the reporting speech because imperative sentences are said to the 2nd person but according to the situation “you” can be the object of the reporting speech. Situation: “A” says to “B” “Let us go to bazaar.” Saying this sentence “A” goes out from the room but “B” doesn’t understand this and asks “C” what he said? Then “C” says to “B” He said to you,” Let us go to bazaar.”

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EXAMPLE


He said to you, “Let us go to bazaar.”

He suggested to you that you should go to bazaar with him.

2. If there is permission in reported speech, act upon the following.

a) the reporting verb will change into “asked” b) Before “let”, “to” is used. c) “that” is not used.

EXAMPLE


I said to him, “Let me go.” I asked him to let me go.

She said to me, “Let me do this work first.” She asked me to let her do that work first.

3. If there is a request in reported speech.

a) The reporting verb changes into “requested”. b) Before “let” “to” is used. c) “Please” is removed. d) “That” is not used.

EXAMPLE


He said to me, “Please, let me sit here.” He requested me to let him sit there.

They said to him, “Please, let us stay here.” They requested him to let them stay there.

! NOTE - If there is a negative sentence in reported speech, before “let” we put “not to”. EXAMPLE


He said to me, “please, don’t let him go.” He requested me not to let him go.

RULE 7: CONDITIONAL SENTENCES Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled. There are three types of Conditional Sentences. IF-CLAUSES

I condition possible to fulfill

II condition in theory possible to fulfill

III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)

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FORM

TYPE IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

I Present Simple will + V1 (or Modal + infinitive)

If I study, I will pass the exam.

II Past Simple would + V1 (infinitive) *

If I studied, I would pass the exam.

III Past Perfect would + have + past participle (V3)*

If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

EXAMPLES (affirmative and negative sentences)

I

+ If I study, I will pass the exam.

- If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I do not study, I will fail the exam.

II

+ If I studied, I would pass the exam.

- If I studied, I would not fail the exam. If I did not study, I would fail the exam.

III

+ If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

- If I had studied, I would not have failed the exam. If I had not studied, I would have failed the exam.

! NOTE - We could or might can be substitute for would

would could might may should must

1. ! NOTE - if the reporting speech is in the present or in the future tense, the tenses of “if” and “result”

clauses won’t change. EXAMPLE


He says, “If he works hard, he will pass the exam.”

He says that if he works hard, he will pass the exam.

2. If the reporting speech is in the past tense, the following changes will take place in Type I/ first

conditional / the will condition.

a) The present simple tense of “if” clause changes into the past simple tense. b) The “will” of the result clause changes into “would” c) “that” comes between the two speeches. d) “if” of the conditional sentence remains in its own place.

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EXAMPLE


He said, “If he works hard, he will pass the exam.”

He said that if he worked hard, he would pass the exam.

3. ! NOTE the following changes will take place in type II / second conditional / would condition.

a) The past simple tense of “if” clause can remain unchanged and it can also be changed into the past perfect tense.

b) “would + V1” of the “result clause” can remain unchanged and it can also be changed into “would have + V3”

c) “that” comes between the two speeches. d) “if” of the conditional sentence remains in its own place.

EXAMPLE


He said, “If he worked hard, he will pass the exam.”

He said that if he worked hard, he would pass the exam. He said that if he worked hard, he would have passed the exam.

4. ! NOTE

(i) No change will take place in the “if clause” and “result clause” of type III / third conditional / would have condition.

(ii) “tenses” , “here and now words” , “pronouns” and other changes will take place according to the previous rules.

EXAMPLE


He said, “If he had worked hard, he would have passed the exam.”

He said that if he had worked hard, he would have passed the exam.

5. If there is command / order in the result clause of conditional sentence, the following changes will take

place, while changing it from direct into indirect.

a) The reporting verb changes into “told/ asked”. b) The reported verb changes into “full infinitive”. c) The result clause comes before and “if clause” goes after the result clause. d) The tenses, “here and now words” and “pronouns” will change according to the previous rules. e) “if” comes in middle and works as a conjunction.

EXAMPLE


He said to me, “If you go out, bring me a glass of water.”

He asked/told me to bring him a glass of water if I went out.

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6. If there is an advice in the main clause of conditional sentences, we act upon the following rules while changing it from direct into indirect

a) The reporting verb changes into “advised”. b) The reported verb changes into “full infinitive”. c) Other changes will take place according to the previous rules.

EXAMPLE


They said to her, “If you have got tired, why don’t you go to bed early.”

They advised her to go to bed early if she had got tired.

7. If there is request in the reported speech, we act upon the following changes.

a) The reporting verb changes into “requested”. b) The reported verb changes into “full infinitive”. c) Result clause comes before and “if” clause goes after the result clause. d) “tenses” , “pronouns” and “here and now words” will change according to the previous rules. e) “please” is omitted. f) “would” is also omitted.

EXAMPLE


He said to me, “If you have money, please, lend me some money.”

He requested me to lend him some money if I had money.

8. If there is a message to be conveyed to someone by someone else in conditional sentences, we act

upon the following rules.

a) “tenses” , “pronouns” and “here and now words” will change according to the precious rules. b) The verb of the main clause changes into “was to / were to / is to / are to / am to /” according to

the tense. EXAMPLE


He says to me, “If you miss this chance, prepare yourself for the next.”

He says to me that if I miss that chance, I am to prepare myself for the next.

He said to me, “If you miss this chance, prepare yourself for the next.”

He said to me that if I missed that chance, I was to prepare myself for the next.

She said to us, “If you miss the train, come by bus.”

She said to us that if we missed the train, we were to come by bus.

9. If someone is asking question for information with surprise / wonder, we act upon the following rules

while changing from direct into indirect.

a) The reporting verb changes into surprise / wonder. b) Interrogative sentences changes into affirmative. c) Other changes will take place according to the previous rules.

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EXAMPLE


He said in surprise, “what will we do if they leave us?”

He was surprised what they would do if they left them. He wondered what they would do if they left them.

! NOTE - if someone is asking a question for information without surprise or wonder, we act upon the following changes while changing from direct into indirect.

(i) The reporting verb changes into “asked”. (ii) “will” changes into “would” and “shall” into “should”. (iii) Interrogative sentences will change into affirmative sentences.

EXAMPLE


He said, “where will we go if we don’t see him?”

He asked where they would go if they didn’t see him.

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STEP 11:

QUICK GUIDE TO CHANGE BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

1. TENSES

Present

Past

Past Past Perfect

Future Conditional

2. PERSONAL PRONOUNS

I

he, she

you he, she, they

we they

they they

he, she he, she, I

3. POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS

my

his, her, my

your his, her, my

his, her his, her

their their

our their

4. PLACES

here

there

this that

these those

here, there at + n. , at the + n.

5. TIME

now

then

today that day, yesterday, the day before

tonight that night

this (morning/afternoon/evening/night) that (morning/afternoon/evening/night)

on Monday on Monday, 11th December (December 11)

ago before

three (days/weeks/months/...years) ago three (days/weeks/months/.....years) before

yesterday the day before, the previous day

the day before yesterday two days before

last night the night before

last (year/month/week) the (year/month/week) before

last (year/month/week) the previous (year/month/week)

tomorrow the next day, the following day

the day after tomorrow in two days

next (week/month/year) the following (week/month/year)

thus so

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STEP 12:

QUICK GUIDE TO REPORTING VERB COLLOCATIONS 1. Verbs followed by 'if' or 'whether' + clause:

ask know remember say see

2. Verbs followed by a that-clause:

add comment fear remember suppose

admit complain feel repeat tell

agree confirm insist reply think

announce consider mention report understand

answer deny observe reveal warn

argue doubt persuade say

boast estimate propose state

claim explain remark suggest

3. Verbs followed by either a that-clause or a to-infinitive:

decide guarantee promise swear threaten

expect hope

4. Verbs followed by a that-clause containing should (but note that it may be omitted, leaving a subject + zero-infinitive):

advise demand prefer recommend suggest

beg insist propose request

5. Verbs followed by a clause starting with a question word:

decide forget learn say tell

describe guess realize see wonder

discover imagine remember suggest think

discuss know reveal teach understand

explain

6. Verbs followed by object + to-infinitive

advise beg forbid invite tell

ask command instruct teach warn

* Notice that a number of verbs can take more than one form.

verb + object + infinitive

verb + infinitive verb + (that) verb + gerund verb + object + prep. + gerund

verb + prep. + 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

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EXAMPLES

verb + object + infinitive

Jack encouraged me to look for a new job.

They invited all their friends to attend the presentation.

verb + infinitive

She offered to give him a lift to work. My brother refused to take no for an answer.

verb + (that)

Tom admitted (that) he had tried to leave early.

She agreed (that) we needed to reconsider our plans.

verb + gerund

He denied having anything to do with her. Ken suggested studying early in the morning.

verb + object + prep. + gerund

They accused the boys of cheating on the exam. She blamed her husband for missing the train.

verb + prep. + gerund

He apologized for being late. She insisted on doing the washing.

Documents

Reported Speech for ESL Learners