erb forms and

13
GRAMMAR
fí:V\,lsMeo! ...... ..
Reported speech

London.
Problems
This unit assumes that the basic rules for forming reported speech are already known.

......... earlier! @ The most importan! rule is to use verb forms that are natural in the situation .
'I'm happy to help you,' she said.
She told me she is happy to help us.
this In the above example, the verb has not been pul one stage back in the past. This
emphasizes the fact that the person is still happy now.
when it is In the following example, it is unnecessary to put the reported speech one stage back
in the past if the time sequence is clear. This is common in everyday speech.
1 wanted to go to the cinema, but John wasn't so keen,' said Sue.
Sue said that shf wanted to go to the cinema, but John wasn't so keen .
.... the same o Reported speech with modal auxiliaries
If the reporting verb is in a past verb form, modals change where there is a 'past'
equivalent.
will - would can - could may - might
Could, would and might do not change.
'I might be late.'
She said (that) she might be late.
Should usually remains unchanged.
'You should res t.' They said (that) I should res t.
However, when should is used as a first person form of would, it changes to would in
reported speech.
1 should lave to come.' She said (that) she would lave to come.
Must can either be reported as had to or remain as must.
ing. 'You must be there at 6.00.' They said I must be there at 6.00.
rain! They said I had to be there at 6.00.
@ Reported speech with conditional sentences
After a past tense reporting verb, the verb form changes when it refers to a real
situation.
'If we leave now, we'll catch the train.'
I told him that if we left then, wál catch the train.
1fyou don't hurry, you'll be late.' I told her that if she didn't hurry she'd be late.
In reported hypothetical situations, verb form changes are not made if the sentence
refers to a possible future.
'If you came back tomorrow, rn be able to help you.'
She said that if I came back the next day, she'd be able to help me.
If the event is clearly hypothetical and impossible, time changes are made.
'If I had a spanner, I could fix it.'
He said that if he had hada spanner he could have fixed it.
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LANGUAGE PRACTICE FOR ADVANCED

In hypothetical past conditional sentences, verb forro changes are not made.
'Jf she hadn't helped me, I wouldn't have succeeded.'
He said that if she hadn't helped him, he wouldn't have succeeded.
@ Don't think
Statements reported with verbs of thinking such as think, expect, suppose usually @ Ve
transfer the negative from the statement to the reporting verb.
I don't think it'll rain. (This means I think it won't rain.) A
I don't suppose she'll come. (This means I suppose she won't come.) ar

Reporting verbs
There are numerous reporting verbs which are used to report the words of others or
our own words and thoughts. Only a selection of the most useful categories is given
here. Other examples are included in the activities. lt is advisable to use a dictionary
to check on how different reporting verbs are used. See Grammar 16 for infinitives
or -ing forros following verbs, and Grammar 17 for prepositions. Fv.m
@ Verbs followed by that + clause (with * can be followed by a person) ®M
add confirm feel predict say
admit consider hope "promise state
agree decide imply *reassure suggest
announce deny insist reckon suppose
argue doubt mean remark *tell
believe estímate mentían repeat think
claim *expect object reply *threaten
complain explain *persuade report *warn
@ Verbs followed by person + to
advise forbid invite persuade tell
ask ,instruct order remind warn @ s
@ Verbs followed by subjunctive or should
Most of these verbs can also be used in the other ways given.
As these verbs contain the sense that someone 'should do' something, should can
follow them.
They suggested that she should apply again. Ch
More formally, the subjunctive can be used instead of should. This is formed from the
base of the verb (without third person s).
They suggested that she apply again.
We propose that you leave / should leave your position at the end of the year.
She recommended that they stay / should stay in the Grand Hotel.
Sorne other verbs of this type are:
advise (also: someone to do/ against something)
agree (also: to do something, that + clause)
demand (also: to do something)
insist (also: on someone doing something)
prefer (also: someone to do something)
propase (also: doing something)

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 GRAMMAR 13 REPORTEO SPEECH

le. recommend (also: doing something)

request (also: someone to do something)
suggest (also: that + clause)
urge (also: someone to do something)

1sually 111 Verbs which can be followed by that + clause containing would
decide, expect, hope, promise, threaten
Ali these verbs report statements containing will. These verbs can also be followed by
an infinitive with to.
I'll leave at 8.00.
She decided to leave at 8.00.
'others or She decided (that) she would leave at 8.00.
:s is given 'J'll come back later.'
:lictionary He promised he would come back later.
1finitives
Functions
111 Many verbs describe a function, rather than reporting speech. Sorne examples are:
admit complain request suggest
advise invite remind warn
agree persuade threaten

'Look, if I were you I'd leave early: she said.

She advised me to leave early.
1fyou don't leave, we'll call the police,' they said.
They threatened to call the police.
'Why don't you come to lunch?' we said.
We invited her to lunch.
111 Sorne. verbs describe actions. Sorne examples are:
accept, congratulate, decide, greet, interrupt, introduce
'Hi, Dave, how are you?' he said. He greeted me.
'Thank you very much for your invitation. I'd /ove to come,' she said.
Id can She accepted our invitation.

Changes of viewpoint
d from the Changes of time, place and person reference are assumed_ known at this leve!. In
reported speech, there is no longer a clear reference which can be understood by two ·
people in the same place.
year. I left the parce/ on this chair.
In reported speech one would have to specify which chair:
He said he had left the parce/ on the chair by the window.
Or the reference may be replaced by a more general one:
I !ove this town.
She said that she loved the town.

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LANGUAGE PRACTICE FOR ADVANCED

1 Underline the correct word or phrase in each sentence. 3 Con

1 The government spokesperson denied I refused that there was a crisis. sen
2 Jane said me/ told me there was nothing the matter. l
3 Peter persuaded me/ insisted me to stay to dinner.
4 The director of studies advised me I suggested me to spend more time in the library.
5 Sheila explained me/ warned me not to leave the heater on all night.
2
6 The chairperson mentioned us / reminded us that time was extremely short.
7 Bill answered them I replied them with a detailed description of his plans.
8 Michael and Sarah announced / reported that they were going to get married.
9 Paul accepted / expected that he had made a mistake, and apologized. 3
l O The manager confirmed I reassured that our room had been reserved.

2 Rewrite each sentence in reported speech, using the best form of the verbs given.
Sorne may be negative. 4

1 '! think !'11 take the brown pair; said the customer.
me .ctA.sto""'-er. deúdec( to t~lze.tne _brow"" l'~"Y. ......... (decide)
5
................................................... , ... , .............................. . (decide)+ (will)
(say) + (will)
2 'Me? No, I didn't take Sue's calculator: said Bob.
(deny)
(deny that)
3 'Don't forget to buy sorne milk, Andy, said Clare.
(remind)
(say) + (should)
(remind) + (need)
4 Tm sorry I couldn't come on Saturday; said David.
(say) + (could)
(say) + (be able to)
(apologize far)
5 'Why don't you go back to Singapore, Max?' I said.
(ask) + (go)
(suggest) + (should)
1
(suggest)
6 'Be sure not to leave too late, Tim; said Jack.
(say) + (should)
(warn)
(warn against)

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 GRAMMAR 13 REPORTEO SPEECH

3 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given.
l 'Helen, would you like to come to lunch on Sunday?' asked Mary.
IF
n the library.
Mary .fl!i!?&0..~~.~.".Y.iJ.-..\W..½'.9.~~,H(~L ........ to come to lunch on Sunday.
hort. 2 'You are not allowed to smoke in your room, Dick; said his mother.

ns. FORBADE
arried. Dick's mother ................................................................................ in his room.
3 Sue thought it would be a good idea for me to see a doctor.
ADVISED
Sue ................................................................................................. see a doctor.
verbs given.
4 The minister proposed regular meetings for the committee.
SUGGESTED
The minister .................................................................. should meet regularly.
5 Jack demanded urgent action from the police.
,ill)
DO
Jack demanded .................................................................. something urgently.
6 My bank manager invited me to visit him at home.
COULD
My bank manager .................................... ,........................... visit him at home.
7 'No, I really don't want to stay the night, Sophia; Ann said.
STAYING
,Id)
Ann insisted ......................................................... the night at Sophia's house.
need)
8 'I'll call off the football match if you don't behave; the teacher said.
THREATENED
d)
The teacher ................................................................ the children's behaviour
,le to)
improved.
r)
9 'OK Mum, 1'11 do my homework, I promise; said Laura.
THAT
Laura .................................................................................... do her homework.
;hould)
10 'Congratulations on getting engaged, Sue; said Harry.
CONGRATULATED
Harry ............................................................................................. engagement.
Id)

t)

101
LANGUAGE PRACTICE FOR ADVANCED

4 Underline the best word to complete each sentence. 6 Ce

1 I thought Jim would say something about his new job. But he didn't mentían / 1
state / declare it.
2 Sorry, I wasn't being insulting. I simply offered I reassured I remarked that you seem 2
to have put on rather a lot of weight recently.
3 The police requested / estimated / advised that the crowd was under 50 000,
although the organizers of the march put it at nearer 100 000.
4 The children complained / threatened / persuaded that their parents were always
checking up on them.
5 lt has been objected / hoped / predicted that by the year 2050 sorne capital cities will
be almost uninhabitable because of the effects of air pollution.
6 During the months befare Smith's transfer from City, it had been rumoured I
doubted / threatened that he and the manager had come to blows in the dressing-
room, though this was denied by the club.
7 Brown forbade / recommended I claimed that the arresting officers had treated him
roughly, and that one of them had punched him in the eye.
8 An army spokesman stressed that al! troops patrolling the streets had been denied /
ordered / announced to issue clear warnings befare firing any shots.
9 Although he didn't say so directly, the prime minister told / ordered I suggested that
an agreement between the two sides was within reach.
10 The witness suggested / insisted I gave her name and address to the court befare the 7 e

[
cross-examination began.

5 Complete the text, using one word in each gap.

The case of the break-in at a Cambridge college entered its third day today. D
The accused's defence was based on the fact that he (1) ....~Q.'«,l0. ........... not T
have entered the building at 6.30. He claimed (2) ....................... have been V

playing football at the time, and stated that severa! witnesses could confirm
this. At this point, the prosecution (3) ....................... him of changing a
his story, as he had previously stated that he had been at home at the s
r
(4) ....................... of the break-in. The defendant agreed that his memory
(5) ....................... not in the best of shape, as he had been (6) .... ,................. .. (

from bouts of depression. The judge stepped in, reminding the defendant
that he (7) ....................... taken an oath to tell the truth, and warning
(8) ....................... of the severe consequences of lying in court. The defendant
then said that he had simply forgotten (9) ....................... the football match,
and insisted (1 O) ....................... he was not changing his story.

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 GRAMMAR 13 REPORTEO SPEECH

6 Complete the second sentence as a report of the first sentence.

,ention / l 'I wouldn't stay out in the cold for too long; Jill told Tom.
Jill advised .IP.!'Y.-:.!'::9.t. tr.. /é t.0.!:;I.. r.\'ft. f.<::-..tb.~.i:'9.k0.. fr.r..t9.9.. fm'.',0,.......
that you seem 2 'Don't forget to ring your sister, Ben: Caro! told Ben.
Caro! reminded ................................................................................. ..
)000,
3 'Don't go back into the house: the firefighter told Jack.
ere always The firefighter warned ................................................................................. ..
4 'Ifl were you, l'd stay near the airport: the travel agent told us.
ita! cities will The travel agent recommended .................................................................................. .
5 'Don't worry, you'll make a complete recovery: the doctor told me.
oured I The doctor reassured ................................................................................. ..
,e dressing-
6 'It's not true that I am getting married to Ann )ones: Prince Gary told us.
Prince Gary denied .................................................................................. .
1treated him
7 'Why don't you come round to my house for a mea!; Alan told me.
been denied / Alan invited .................................................................................. .
8 'Yes, it's true, I am expecting a baby; Mary Hawkins told the press.
;uggested that Mary Hawkins confirmed ................................................................................. ..

1rt before the 7 Complete the text, using the best form of a verb from the box in each gap.

advise anticípate assure estímate report

announce apologize confirrn mention request

:lay today.
Dear Mrs Henderson
......... not
Tha_nk you far your letter of 21st August.
1ave been We would like to (1) .....0.~o.lagizt ......... far the failure of our compute, ordering system last
Id confirm week and (2) .............................. you that the system is now fully functional again. We
(3) ............................... that the goods ordered will be delayed by two or three working days
changing
and we (4) ............................... the new arrival time far your arder will be the week beginning
ne at the September 6th. We are grateful to you far (5) ............................... the defect in the ZP200
s memory model and we are happy to (6) ............................... that the defect has now been remedied.
In your letter you (7) ............................... the possibility of taking goods from us on 'sale
or return' al an exhibition you are organizing. We can certainly (8) .............................. our
defendant interest in this arrangement, but we would like to (9) .. . ..... further information
befare we commit ourselves to a decision. Please be (1 O) ....... . .... that as of
J warning
1st September our warehouse is now open seven days a week from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
defendant Yours sincerely
,ali match, ])w:d s,,,,,:th
David Smith

.SEEALSO
Grammar 16: Verbs + infinitive or -ing
Grammar 17: Verbs + prepositions
Grammar 18: Prepositions
103