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Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

I. We can report : * statements * questions * commands, requests, suggestions

Type of sentences Direct Speech Reported Speech

1) Imperative They say , ‘Close the door’ They ask/asked to do.......

(Повелительное) They say , ‘Don’t close the They tell/told not to do........
window’
2) Declarative She says, ‘I don’t know She says/said (that) subject / predicate
( утвердительное, this rule’
повествовательное)
3) Yes/No Question The tourist asks me, ‘Do The tourist asks/asked me
( общий вопрос) you live in St.Petersburg?’ if (whether) / subject / predicate
 We prefer whether before or , especially in
a formal style.
* I enquired whether she was coming by road
or by air.
4) WH-question We ask them, ‘Where does We ask / asked
(специальный Ben live?’ question word / subject /predicate
вопрос)

II. Changes: Verb tenses and time expressions change in reported speech:

 when the introductory verb is in the past tense. ‘I am buying a new car next month’, he said.
 He said that he was buying a new car the following month.
 in out-of-date reporting. ‘(13 October) Tim said ‘I have caught a cold’.  (17 October) Tim said
that he had caught a cold.
 when we consider what the speaker says to be untrue. ‘ Peter and I are business partners’, Jill
said to me.  Jill said that she and Peter were business partners. (but Peter had never met her)
 past tenses are changed to past perfect tenses after past reporting verbs, but only if this is
necessary in order to make the time relations clear:
‘I saw Penny a couple of days ago’.  He said he’d seen Penny a couple of days before.
‘Dinosaurs were around for 250 million years’.  This guy on TV said dinosaurs were around
250 million years.

Change in tense Direct Speech Reported Speech

1. Present Simple Past Simple ‘I play the piano’ He said he played the piano.
2. Present Continuous  Past ‘I am learning He said (that) he was learning
Continuous French.’ French.
3. Present Perfect  Past Perfect ‘I have already He said (that) he had already
watered the flowers.’ watered the flowers.
4. Past Simple  Past Perfect ‘I didn’t go out’ He said he hadn’t gone out.
5. Past Continuos  Past Continuous / ‘I was writing a letter He said (that) he was writing /had
Past Perfect Continuous at 5 o’clock.’ been writing a letter at 5 o’clock.
6. Future (will)  ‘I will do the He said (that) he would do the
conditional (would) shopping.’ shopping.
7. Present Perfect Continuous  ‘I have been working He said he had been working all
Past Perfect Continuous all day.’ day.
8. Past Perfect  Past Perfect ‘I hadn’t seen him She said she hadn’t seen him
Past Perfect Continuous Past before’. before..
Perfect Continuous

No change in tense
He says the city is crowded.
 the introductory verb (say, tell.....) is ‘The city is He is saying that the city is
in the Present Simple, Present crowded.’ crowded.
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Continuous, Present Perfect, He often said that the city is

Future Perfect crowded.
The government has announced
‘Taxes will be that taxes will be raised.
 There is no change in tense in raised’. He said he lives in Paris.
reported speech when what is said is ‘I live in Paris’. He said the Earth goes round the
still true or is always true or a law of ‘The Earth goes Sun.
nature round the Sun’.
He said Elvis Presley was still
 If what is said is clearly untrue, ‘Elvis Presley is still alive.
the tense changes. alive’. * Did you hear that? She said she
was fourteen!
 the speaker is reporting something
immediately after it was said (up to Mum said (that) there is plenty of
date) ‘There’s plenty of food in the fridge.
food in the fridge’
 There is no tense change when we
She said she wished he was /were
report wishes or preferences. ‘ I wish he was / with her now.
were with me now’. He said he would prefer to go to
‘ I would prefer to go Paris.
 the reported sentence deals with type to Paris.’
2 or type 3 conditionals. Kelly said (that) if she had the
‘If I had the money, I money, she would travel abroad.
would travel abroad ‘

Modal Verbs
will  would ‘I will help you’. He said he would help me.
can  could ‘I can help you’. He said he could help me.
can could/ would be able ‘I can meet you at noon’. He said (that) he could/would be able
(future reference) to meet me at noon.
may might ‘I may come later’. He said he might come later.
must  must / had to ‘I must go to the bank’. He said he must/ had to go to the
(obligation) bank.
Must does not change when ‘ You must be happy’, Susan told Joe (that) he must be
it expresses a logical Susan said to Joe. happy.
assumption.
shall should ‘What shall I tell him?’ He asked what he should tell him.
(asking for advice)
shall  offer ‘Shall I help you?’ He offered to help me.
( expressing offers)
needn’t  needn’t /didn’t ‘You needn’t feed the dog’. I needn’t/ didn’t need to / didn’t
need to / didn’t have to have to feed the dog.
 Would, could, might, ‘You could watch a video’, He said that we could watch a video.
should, ought, had better, he said.
used to, mustn’t do not ‘You’d better go’. He said I’d better go.
change. ‘You ought to exercise My doctor told me I ought to exercise
more’ more.

III. Other changes:

 this / these  that /those*  today, tonight  that day,  this week  that week
 here  there that night  tomorrow  the next day, the
 now then, at the time,  two days ago  two days following day
immediately before  next month  the month
 yesterday  the day  last month  the month after, the following month
before, the previous day before, the previous month  come  go
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 * When this/these are used in time expressions, they change to that/those ( this week-that week;
these days- those days). When this/these are not used in time expressions, they change as follows:
a) they change to the when used as adjectives, that is, when they are followed by a noun ( ‘This film
is boring’, Claire told me. - Claire told me (that) the film was boring.)
b) they change to it or they/them when used as pronouns, that is, when they are not followed by a
noun. ( ‘ This is an unusual situation’, Dad said. - Dad said (that) it was an unusual situation.)

IV. Reported Statements

 to report statements we use a reporting verb ( say, tell, explain.....) followed by a that- clause. In
spoken English that can be omitted.
 Pronouns, possessive adjectives tenses and time words can change (see above)

Direct statement Reported statement ( no change in tense)

I hadn’t been there before He said he hadn’t been there before.
I would like a coffee. He said he would like a cup of coffee.
I’d rather stay here. He said he’d rather stay there.
You’d better leave He said I’d better leave.

V. Say - Tell - Ask

 Say /Tell are not used to report questions. (not: The driver said whether I wanted the town
centre)
 But Say/Tell can introduce the answers to questions. ( * Please say whether you want the town
centre. He never says where he’s going. I told her what time it was)
 If you say who you are talking to, use Tell (tell somebody): (* Sonya told me that you were ill.
What did you tell the police?)
 But you can say something to somebody : ( * Ann said goodbye to me and left)

 Say can be used both in She said, ‘I’m happy’./ Expressions with SAY,TELL and
direct and reported speech. She said to me , ‘I’m ASK.
It is used with or without a happy’. 
personal object. When used She said (that) she was SAY:
with a personal object, it is happy.  good morning/afternoon
always followed by the  something/nothing
preposition to (said to me) .  a prayer, so, a few words
In reported speech say is not  no more, for certain
followed by an object
pronoun, but it can be TELL:
followed by that.  the truth, a lie, a secret
 Tell can be used both in She told me, ‘I’m happy’.
  a story, a joke
direct and reported speech.
She told me (that) she  the time, the difference,
It is always followed by a
personal object (told me) . was happy.  smb one’s name, smb the way
 Ask is used in reported  one from another
‘Where is Tom?’ he asked  one’s fortune
questions and requests. It is
me.  He asked me  smb so
also used in direct questions.
where Tom was.
‘Will you do me a favour?’
Mary said to me.  Mary ASK:
asked me to do her a  a favour, the time, a question
favour.
 the price

VI. Reported Questions.

 Reported questions are usually introduced with the verbs ask, inquire, wonder or want to know.
The verb is in the affirmative.
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 The question mark and words such as please, well, oh... are omitted. The verb tenses, pronouns
and time expressions change as in statements.
 When we report questions constructed with who/what/which + be + complement, BE can be put
before or after the complement.
‘ Who’s the best player here?’  She asked me who the best player was./ She asked who was the
best player.
‘ What’s the matter?’  I asked what the matter was./ I asked what was the matter.
‘Which is my seat?’  She wondered which her seat was. / She wondered which was her seat.
 negative questions :
‘Why don’t you work harder?’  She asked why he didn’t work harder.
‘Don’t the children like ice-cream?’ (expressing surprise)  She was surprised that the children
didn’t like ice-cream. ( not: She asked if the children didn’t like ice-cream)
‘Isn’t she lovely!’(expressing emotion)  I remarked how lovely she was.( not: I asked if she
wasn’t lovely)
 question tags are omitted in reported speech. We use an appropriate introductory verb to convey
the same meaning.
‘ You won’t tell anyone, will you?’ she said to him.  She asked him not to tell anyone.

Direct questions Reported questions

Present Simple: ‘Are you American?’ Past Simple: He asked me if I was American.
Past Simple: ‘Did you see the Eiffel Tower?’ Past Perfect: She asked if I had seen the Eiffel
Tower.
Present Perfect: ‘Have you fed the cat yet?’ Past Perfect: Mum asked me if I had fed the cat.
Present Perfect Continuous: Past Perfect Continuous:
‘Have you been smoking?’ Dad asked me if I had been smoking.

VII. Reported commands / requests / suggestions/ orders /advice

To report commands, requests, suggestions, instructions, etc., in reported speech we use an

appropriate introductory verb ( advise, ask, order......) and the to-infinitive, -ing form or that-clause,
depending on the introductory verb.

 question word + infinitive He asked her how to make a white sauce. Don’t tell me what to do.
 we do not use infinitive structures after suggest and say ( instructions can be reported with
that-clause)
He suggested that I try the main car park . (not: He suggested me to try.....)
The policeman said that I mustn’t park there. (not: The policeman said me not to park there.)
 suggest + Ving ; suggest + person + infinitive; suggest + that + person +should + infinitive
She suggested going out that afternoon. She suggested Lucy try a new restaurant. She suggested
that they should stay at home for the holiday.

 the verb + pronoun + to

‘Stand up straight,’ the sergeant shouted.  The sergeant told the soldiers to stand up straight.
Introductory Verbs
Introductory Verb Direct Speech Reported Speech
+ to-infinitive
agree ‘Yes, I’ll drive you home’. He agreed to drive me home.
*claim ‘I’ve won £1,000,000.’ He claimed to have won £1,000,000 .
*demand
‘Give me your wallet’ He demanded to be given my wallet.
offer
‘Would you like me to help?’ He offered to help.
*promise
I’ll meet you at the cafe’. He promised to meet me at the cafe.
refuse
‘No, I won’t do the shopping’. He refused to do the shopping.
*threaten
‘Be quiet or I’ll send you to She threatened to send me to my room
your room’. if I wasn’t quite.

+ smb +to-infinitive
advise ‘You should eat less junk food’ He advised me to eat less junk food.
allow ‘You can go to the party’ He allowed me to go to the party.
ask ‘Could you open the window?’ He asked me to open the window.
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beg ‘Please, don’t hurt me’ He begged me not to hurt him.

command ‘Give me all your money’ He commanded them to give him all
their money.
encourage ‘You should study maths’. He encouraged me to study maths.
forbid ‘You mustn’t park here.’ He forbade me to park there.
invite ‘Will you come to my party?’ He invited me to (go to) his party.
order ‘Stop talking!’ He ordered me to stop talking.
* remind ‘Don’t forget to feed the dog’ He reminded me to feed the dog.
warn ‘Don’t touch those wires.’ He warned me not to touch the wires.
+ ing form
accuse smb of ‘You stole my gold watch’ ‘He accused him of stealing/having
stolen his gold watch.
*admit (to) ‘Yes, I lied to you’. He admitted (to) lying/having lied to
me.
apologise for ‘I’m sorry I broke your mug’ He apologised for breaking my mug.
*boast about/of ‘I’m the best tennis player in He boasted about/of being the best
the world’. tennis player in the world.
*complain (to smb) of ‘ I live very far away from the She complained (to me) of living very
city centre’ far away from the city centre.
*deny ‘No, I didn’t use your keys’. He denied using/having used my keys.
*insist on ‘You must rest more’ He insisted on me/my resting more.
*suggest ‘Let’s go to the cinema’ He suggested going to the cinema.
+ that-clause
explain ‘I liked his latest film because it She explained that she liked his latest
was exciting’. film because it was exciting.
inform smb ‘The manager will be back at He informed us that the manager would
noon’. be back at noon.
exclaim / remark ‘What a glorious day!’ He exclaimed/remarked that it was a
glorious day.
explain to smb +how ‘That’s how it works’ He explained to us how it worked.

 The verbs marked with an asterisk (*) can also be followed by a that-clause in reported speech.
1) He claimed that he had won £1,000,000. 6) He admitted that he was wrong
2) He demanded that I should give him my 7) He boasted that he was very rich.
wallet. 8) He complained that he didn’t earn enough
3) He promised that he would meet me at the money.
train station.. 9) He denied that he had taken the money.
4) He threatened that he would leave. 10) He insisted that I (should) work on
5) He reminded me that I had a meeting that Saturday.
afternoon. 11) He suggested that we go to the cinema.

VIII. Reporting a dialogue / conversation.

 In dialogues we use a mixture of statements, questions, commands, requests, etc. In reported

speech we use : and, as, adding that, and (he/she) added that, because, but, since, and
then (he/she) went on to say (that), while, then, etc. to link the sentences in a dialogue. We can
also use introductory verbs in the present participle form (offering, begging, explaining......)

a) ‘I’m exhausted’, she said to him. ‘Can you make me a cup of tea?’  She exclaimed that she
was exhausted and asked him to make her a cup of tea.

b) ‘I’ll take a taxi home. It’s getting late’, he said.  He said that he would take a taxi home as/
because/ since it was getting late.

c) A: Can I talk to Mr Smith?

B: I’m sorry, he’s not here. Would you like me to take a message?
A: No, thank you. I need to see him in person.

 Mr A. asked to talk to Mr Smith . Mr B said that A wasn’t there and offered to take a
message. Mr A declined, explaining that he needed to see him in person.
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 Exclamations. We use the verbs exclaim /say that to report exclamations which begin with ‘What
a/an......’ or ‘How........’in direct speech.
‘What an unusual design!’ he said.  He exclaimed /said that it was an unusual design.
He exclaimed /said that the design was unusual.
But with exclamations such as ‘Splendid!, ‘Great!’, ‘Good!’, ‘Excellent!’, ‘Oh!’, ‘Oh dear!’ etc.
we use the expression give an exclamation of delight /disgust/ relief/ surprise, etc.
‘Wow!’ he said as he unwrapped his gift.  He gave an exclamation of surprise as he unwrapped
his gift.

 Study the following examples:

d) They said, ‘Thank you’.  They thanked us.
e) ‘You fool!’ she said.  She called him fool.
f) ‘Happy Birthday!’ we said to Tom.  We wished Tom a happy birthday.
g) ‘Congratulations!’ they said to us.  They congratulated us.

 Yes/ No short answers are expressed in reported speech with subject + appropriate auxillary
verb / introductory verb.
‘Will you help me decorate the cake?’ she asked him. - ‘Yes,’ he said.
 She asked him to help her decorate the cake and he said he would / he agreed.

Reported Speech (practice) (form 10)

Test 1. Complete the reported speech sentences using the verb given.
1) ‘Why don’t you sit down for a moment?’ -She suggested...........
2) ‘I could make you something to eat if you like’- She offered........
3) ‘I’m feeling hungry, actually’. - I admitted.............
4) ‘I’m sorry that I was so late’. - I apologised...........
5) ‘What happened?’ - She asked him........
6) ‘I got stuck in the traffic’. - I told her........
7) ‘Now don’t forget you have to practise every day’. - She reminded me........
8) ‘Of course. I’ll practise every afternoon after school’. -I promised........
9) ‘And don’t leave your books at school again!’ - She warned me...........
10) ‘If I were you, I wouldn’t spend so much time playing computer games’. -She advised
me.........
11) ‘Let’s go to the cinema tonight.’ - She suggested........
12) ‘Don’t drive through the centre of town’. -He advised his wife.........
13) ‘I definitely didn’t leave the window open!’ - He denied........
14) ‘Could you please have the papers ready by 11 o’clock? - He asked his secretary............
15) ‘Don’t do that again, or there’ll be trouble’. - The teacher warned........
16) ‘Don’t forget to switch off the lights before you leave’. - She reminded.........
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17) ‘You’ve stolen my pen! Give it back!’ -Peter accused........

18) ‘Come to my birthday party on Saturday’. - He invited.........
19) ‘I’m sorry I ever took your advice’. - She regretted........
20) ‘I will not eat this pizza’- Ann refused..........

Test 2. Complete each sentence in reported speech, using these verbs:

promised, suggested, insisted, refused, accused, explained, said, asked, advised

1) ‘Why don’t we go for a walk?’ 6) ‘I gave you my homework last week’.

2) ‘I wasn’t anywhere near the scene of the 7) ‘Could you come and pick me up from school
crime’. today, dad?’
3) ‘This spot is the best place for a picnic’. 8) ‘If I were you, I wouldn’t drink so much’.
4) ‘The swallows return every spring and fly 9) ‘I won’t help you because you didn’t help
past my window. me’.
5) ‘Can you answer the phone? I’m having a 10) ‘I’ll bring it back tomorrow’.
shower!’

Test 3. Complete each sentence in reported speech.

1) ‘The camera needs two batteries.’ -The instructions say........
2) ‘I’ve finished the letters you asked me to write’. - Jill said........
3) ‘Pandas live in China’. - The teacher said........
4) ‘It’s time for bed’. - Dad says.......
5) ‘I have to tidy my bedroom now’. - Toby said...........
6) ‘I should have bought her a present’. - He said.....
7) ‘Coal is found underground’. -He said........
8) ‘You ought to go to the doctor’s’. -She said to her son......
9) ‘If I had more time, I would take up a hobby’.- Eric told me.......
10) ‘If I hadn’t parked my car on a double yellow line, I wouldn’t have got a ticket’. - Sam
said.......
11) ‘Dinner is ready’. -Mum says......
12) ‘If I were you, I would save some money’. -She told me......
13) ‘Kangaroos live in Australia’- She told them.......
14) ‘I can help you tidy the attic on Saturday’. _Karen said to Joe......
15) ‘You could be right’. -I said....
16) ‘ I live in St.Petersburg’. -She told me.........
17) ‘I watch TV every day’. -She has said that........../ -She will say that............
18) ‘ Where is Natali?’ - Sam wanted to know.............
19) ‘What do you want?’- John asked ...........
20) ‘When I saw them they were playing tennis’. - He said that.........

Test 4. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) ‘You must hand in your homework tomorrow morning’, our teacher said to us.
2) ‘I don’t want to go to school today’, Sammy said to his mother.
3) ‘I’ll buy some milk on my way home from work,’ said John.
4) ‘Tommy hasn’t finished eating his dinner ‘, Lucy said to Roy.
5) ‘My mother can look after the children next week’, Sue said to Harry.
6) ‘Tony was practising the clarinet last night’, his father said.
7) ‘The last time I saw Jean was two months ago,’ Diane said.
8) ‘Mr White comes to my cafe for a cup of coffee every morning, ‘Don said.
9) ‘Eric has just opened his new shop,’ Ian said to Ben.
10) ‘You must pay the bills on Monday’, Clare said to Alan.

Test 5. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) ‘Did you go to Bill’s party last night?’ asked Mark.
2) ‘Have you ever been to Italy?’ she asked me.
3) ‘Will you drive me to work today?’ Carla asked Richard.
4) ‘Do you like reading the cartoons section of the newspaper?’ Brad asked Susan.
5) ‘Where does he live?’ he wondered.
6) ‘When did you graduate from university?’ Laura asked Tanya.
7) ‘Do you know how to use the internet?’ our teacher asked us.
8) ‘Can I go to the cinema this weekend?’ she asked her mother.
9) ‘Why is he so late for our appointment?’ Sara wondered.
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10) ‘How old were you when you first travelled on an aeroplane ?’ Sally asked me.
11) ‘Will you take the dog for a walk?’ asked Fred.
12) ‘Where did you go on Saturday night?’ Paul asked Tina.

Test 6. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) Do you enjoy being a writer? 6) Have you travelled to many exotic places?
2) What was your first book about? 7) Who is your favourite author?
3) How many books have you written? 8) Which actors would you like to star in a film
4) Have any of your books been bestsellers? based on one of your books?
5) Do you do a lot of research for your books? 9) What is your latest book called?

Test 7. Match the direct speech sentences in column A with the appropriate introductory verbs
in column B. Then turn the sentences into reported speech.
1) I’m sorry I didn’t follow the instructions. a) threaten
2) You should see a doctor right away. b) invite
3) I’ll look after your plants while you’re away. c) refuse
4) Stay away from the cliff. d) ask
5) Would you like to go on a picnic with us. e) apologise
6) No, I won’t lend you my bicycle. f) advise
7) Let’s meet for lunch at the Bistro. g) warn
8) I’ll call the police if you don’t turn down the music. h) remind
9) Don’t forget to lock the kitchen door. i) promise
10) Could you tell us what’s on today’s menu? j) suggest

Test 8. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) ‘You should enter the poetry competition,’ Helen said to me.
2) ‘No, I didn’t take your credit card,’ Rick said to Kim.
3) ‘I have noisy dogs in my neighourhood’, George said.
4) ‘You cheated in the Maths test,’ Mr Nicholas said to Mike.
5) ‘You meet clean your room tomorrow,’ Mum said to me.
6) ‘I’m the fastest runner of all,’ Carl said.
7) ‘Tell me why you didn’t do your homework,’ Mrs Rees said to Cindy.
8) ‘I saw a tall man with blond hair break into the shop,’ Mr Parker said.
9) ‘You mustn’t drive my car without asking me first,’ Dad said to me.
10) ‘Yes, I used your mobile phone,’ Max said to Donna.

Test 9. Turn the following into reported speech by using the appropriate verb.
1) ‘In the beginning, the Beatles performed music influenced by American rock’n’roll and rhythm-
and-blues’.( reminded the public/warned) The expert...............................
2) ‘Butter melts in the heat’. (suggested /explained) The teacher...................
3) ‘We are not complaining about our working conditions’. (accused/ denied) They...............
4) ‘We may need to limit financial aid to a handful of students’. ( refused/ admitted
The school officials..........................
5) ‘The terrorist attacks on the US will result in retaliation and war’. (offered/ warned)
The US president.............
6) ‘Why haven’t they followed the instructions in the manual?’ (claimed/ wondered)
The employer...............
7) ‘OK, I will show you the places worth seeing in our town’. (agreed/insisted) My pen friend......
8) ‘Tom, you have committed a serious offence’. (accused/threatened) The policeman............
9) ‘Teenage rebelliousness is a natural part of growing up’. (promised/ suggested)
The psychologist....................
10) ‘Prices rose dramatically under the previous government’. (insisted/ inquired)
The new Prime Minister................

Test 10. Turn the following into reported speech by using the appropriate verb.

Accused, admitted, asked, denied, explained, inquired, promised,

refused, reminded , suggested , warned

Teacher: How is everybody today? Did you all remember to bring in your homework assignment?
Michael: I haven’t got mine. My mother came down with malaria yesterday.
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Teacher: You are pulling my leg again, Michael! I won’t put up with your miserable excuses any
more!
Michael: I’m not lying. You can call the hospital to check.
Teacher: I won’t do it, Michael. Stop wasting everyone’s time! Enough is enough! Remember you’ll
all be sitting the exam next month.
Michael: OK,OK, I’m sorry. I’ll bring my homework assignment tomorrow.
1) The teacher asked the class...............................
2) She also.........................
3) Michael.........................
4) He..................................
5) The teacher....................
6) She also...........................
7) Michael............................
8) He also..............................
9) The teacher.......................
10) She also............................
11) He......................................

Test 11. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) ‘I’m tired ,’ he said . ‘I didn’t sleep properly last night’.
2) ‘It’s cold in here,’ she said. ‘Shall I light a fire?’
3) Ann: I must go. I’m late.
Dave: What’s the hurry?
Ann: I’ve got an important meeting. It starts in twenty minutes.
4) ‘Have you finished your report?’ she said. ‘The boss wants it now.’
5) Sam: Can you help me? I’m lost.
Gill: Where do you want to go?
Sam: I’ve got a meeting at the Town Hall. It’s on Regency Road’.
6) ‘I’m bored,’ said Kate. ‘Shall we do for a walk?’
7) Tom: I haven’t got time to have lunch today.
Peter: Why not?
Tom: I’ve got a lot of work to do for the presentation. It starts at 3 o’clock.

Test 25. REPORTED SPEECH. Report the following sentences.

1) ‘Don’t look at people like that!’ -She told me.......

2) ‘I have never used bad language before.’ -He claimed......
3) ‘I won’t pay back all my debts in ten years’. -My father said.......
4) ‘Read the instructions carefully before beginning the test.’ -The teacher told the class.........
5) ‘We decided to take longer holidays than last year.’ -She said.........
6) ‘I’m not going to let you ruin your life’. -My mum announced.........
7) ‘Don’t drive over 50 mph on this road.’ -The police officer ordered the careless driver......
8) ‘And I want to stay here for two months.’ -She added.......
9) ‘Could you give me a hand with the cleaning, please?’ -My sister asked me.......
10) ‘I was arguing with my boyfriend until 11 o’clock at night’. -Barbara admitted......

Test 26.

I. Complete the sentences with do , get or make.

1) Even if you........badly in the test, you will still have a chance to take it again.
2) Don’t worry! We all ....... mistakes when we start learning a foreign language.
3) I can’t promise anything but I’ll ...... my best.
4) I didn’t mean to interfere. I just wanted to........ him a favour.
5) Let me..... a suggestion. I think we should do some charity work for our community.
6) When I...... a pay rise we will be able to pay off our debts.

II. Write the nouns formed from the adjectives:

7) organised- ........ 8) strong-...... 9) flexible-........ 10) weak-....... 11) generous-........
12) patient-........ 13) logical-.........

III. Match the phrases from the two columns to make meaningful expressions:
 10

14) turn up a) a lot of detail

15) put on b) notes during the history lecture
16) go into c) at the meeting
17) speak up d) more information about the suspect
18) get up e) so everybody can hear you
19) take down f) elegant clothes
20) find out g) very early in the morning

Test 27. Choose the multi-part verb to complete the sentences:

catch up with; put off; fall behind; get at; go over; put up with; look up; put down; take up

1) When did you first .... fishing, John?

2) For your homework ...... all the new words from this text in your dictionary.
3) David was seriously ill and missed more than two weeks at school. Fortunately he managed to.....
his studies very quickly.
4) Never......till tomorrow what you can do today.
5) You can invite your classmates to our house, but I will not.....your friends staying overnight.
6) Don’t.....Jane again! She really doesn’t know what she has done wrong.
7) If you......with your payments, you might have to pay some extra money.
8) Let’s .... these German exercises again to make sure that you understand everything.
9) If you don’t remember her telephone number, ......in the telephone directory.
10) They had......the concert until next week because one of the singers had a bad cold.

Test 28. Reported Speech.

I. There are mistakes in some of these sentences. Correct them.
1) I have never had such a good work before.
2) My mother ordered me that I don’t leave the house after 10 p.m.
3) I said him that I needed to go.
4) He wanted to know how old my sister was.
5) You did a lot of mistakes in your last composition, John.
6) I asked him where did he come from.
7) To my surprise, our teacher suggested to postpone the test until next Tuesday.
8) Don’t disturb her! She is making an exam tomorrow and she needs to go over her notes again.
9) They refused publishing my second book because the topic was not very interesting.
10) They failed to arrive at the hotel in time for a late dinner.

II. Report the following questions.

11) How good is your English? -He asked me........
12) Why are you trying to make me change my mind? -She asked me......
13) Have you ever written a letter of complaint? -My friend wondered........
14) Where do you get all these gadgets from?-My mum asked me....
15) Can you start work on Monday at 9 o’clock?-The interviewer asked me.....

Test 29.
I. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form with WILL, MAY/MIGHT or BE GOING TO .
1) I don’t need your help. I think I........(manage) myself.
2) I know! We......(buy) a mobile phone for her birthday present. What do you think?
3) Watch out! You......(fall) down the stairs.
4) I’m sure our country.....(join) the European Union within the next three weeks.
5) I’ve decided not to go to Peru with them and I have made some other arrangements . I.....(spend)
two weeks at the seaside instead.
II. Complete the sentences with one word in each gap.
6) We have the worst possible weather for our holidays. This continuous rain is getting me.........
7) I can’t .....up with my elder brother any more, he keeps complaining about everything .
8) The parents and teachers must get...... to talk about the pupils’ progress and difficulties.
9) When did your son first take..... basketball?
 11

10) I think you should......up driving until you fully recover after your eye operation.

Test 30.
I. Complete each sentence so that it means the same as the sentence before.
1) I think my friends are having a great time now. -My friends might.........
2) She doesn’t spend enough time studying for school because she has to work in the evenings.
-You should.........
3) They had a lot of problems because they didn’t deal with the matter properly in the first place.
- If they.......
4) Tom regrets he doesn’t know much Dutch. -Tom wishes......
5) It is quite possible that the minister didn’t know about the corruption scandal. -The minister
might........
II. Choose the correct answer.
6) The student who sits behind me in class is very.... a) unsociable b) annoying c) dishonest
because he talks too much.
7) Colin likes ........playing the guitar and singing. a) as well as b) neither c) both
8) Andrew is a very.....person. He doesn’t like going to a) shy b) hopeful c) tolerant
parties and meeting people.
9) A: I don’t like sugar in my coffee. B:........... a) I’m not liking it either.
b) No, I don’t. c) Nor do I.
10) I wish I......a photo when we were all together. c) has taken b) had taken c) take

Test 31.
I. Report the questions:
1) Where do you live? 2) Where are you living? 3) Where have you lived? 4) Where will you live?
5) Where can you live? 6) Is London an interesting city? 7) Where are you going to stay in New York?
8) When will I see you again? 9) How often does Bella ring you? 10) How long does this test take?

II. Match the words from the two columns to form meaningful expressions:
11) find a) somebody a favour
12) have b) attention to your teacher
13) do c) promotion
14) give d) a deep breath
15) make e) somebody a lift
16) take f) a good time
17) pay g) the situation difficult
18) look h) a phone call
19) give up i) smoking
20) get j) for something to do

Test 32.
I. Complete the sentences with the adjectives from the box.

Tasty unfair deplorable organised innovative well-off flexible

1) The pizza you made is very...... It’s even better than Pizza Bella.
2) I can’t imagine how people can live in such .......conditions.
3) The manager had a lot of .....ideas, and we all expected some changes in our company.
4) We’re planning to fly to Paris next month, but we can be ....... about the exact date.

II. Complete the sentences with one word in each gap.

5) If you don’t remember the meaning of this word, you can look it......in your bilingual dictionary.
6) You can go if you’re in a hurry. I will catch........with you in a minute.
7) When I.......back at the past, I can now understand everything much better.
8) Is it a true story or did you make it............?
9) The lecturer was speaking so quickly that nobody was able to take........notes.
10) She can’t answer the phone now. Can you.........on a minute?

Test 33.
 12

I. Read the following dialogue and report it.

Robert: How are you, Hillary? Do you feel like going to the cinema tonight?
Hillary: No, I don’t. And I have to visit my aunt in hospital today.
Robert: I’ll go with you if you want.
Hillary: That’s a good idea! What time can you pick me up?
Robert: Would 5 o’clock be OK with you?
Hillary: Sounds good to me. But don’t be late, please!
Robert: Oh, come on! I have been late only once so far.
Hillary: Yes, but I was standing in the rain for fifty minutes!
Robert: OK,OK. This time I am not going to make you wait for me.
Robert asked Hillary.......... 7) She also asked.......... 13) Robert said.......
1) He also wanted to know....... 8) Robert wanted to know........
2) Hillary answered........ 9) Hillary answered.......
3) She added...... 10) Later she begged........
4) Robert offered........ 11) Robert explained........
5) Hillary said........ 12) Hillary reminded him......

Test 34.
I. Read the questions asked by an immigration officer. Use the prompts to write the reporting
questions.
1) ‘Why are you visiting Los Angeles?’
2) ‘How long are you planning to stay here?’
3) ‘How much money have you got with you?’
4) ‘Do you have any friends or family in the States?’
5) ‘Can you show me your return ticket?’
When I arrived at immigration the officer first asked me (1)........ Then the officer wanted to know
(2)......... The next thing they wanted to know (3)........ After that the officer asked (4)......... Finally,
(5)............

II. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
6) If you promise.....(help) me this evening, I’ll drive you to school.
7) I expect.......(see) her this evening.
8) I plan......(go) to university.
9) Can I suggest.......(leave) before the end of the party?
10) I don’t think you should risk......(walk) home alone.
11) I can’t stand.......(watch) soap operas.
12) They have decided.........(live) in India for a year.
13) Do you need........(carry) such a big bag?
14) Let’s get there early to avoid........(wait) to buy tickets.
15) The children always enjoy........(see) their cousins.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test 35.
I. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the word in brackets.
1) The unemployment rate began to accelerate .........(rapid).
2) Are you sure it was Julia Roberts who won the Oscar for best ........ (act) last year?
3) For this position we need somebody with a lot of .........(create).
4) My students’ political.......(aware) was very impressive.
5) Andrew’s parents didn’t really care about his ......(emotion) needs.

II. Choose the correct word.

6) I don’t want...... to you any more. (to listen/listening)
7) I refused ...... my sister’s bill again. (to pay/paying)
8) I think we should consider......... to Spain instead of Brazil. (to go/going)
9) If you decide to go on strike, you may risk ..... your job. (to lose/losing)
10) I don’t mind....... a bit longer, but my wife is getting impatient. (to wait/waiting)
11) He offered .......at the station. (to meet/meeting)
12) I suggested....... up before the game, but they start right away. (to warm/warming)
13) He promised...... our appointment by Monday. (to confirm/confirming)
14) They expanded their business and planned ........ services to our local community. (to
provide/providing)
 13

15) You should avoid...... people by asking them very personal questions. (to embarrass/
embarrassing)
16) They couldn’t afford .......their honeymoon in Paris. (to spend/spending)
17) I can’t stand........ up at dawn. (to get/getting)
18) Did you expect....... promoted so quickly? (to be/being)
19) It was my mother who advised us...... a semi-detached house outside the city. (to buy/buying)
20) I hoped to do well in the exam, so I suggested.......Dave to help us. (to ask/asking)

III. Complete the sentences with one word in each gap.

21) I don’t feel like sitting at home all day. Why don’t we go......for a walk?
22) It’s freezing outside. I think you should ......on something warmer, Henry.
23) My dad was mad when he found...... that I had been absent from school.
24) Don’t get.... Nell again! She really doesn’t know what she has done wrong.
25) Never put...... till tomorrow what you can do today.

Reading Comprehension (8th form). Phones in Fashion.

I. Read the text about the mobile phones and find the correct sentences (a-e) for each gap (1-5) in
the text below.

a) Even schoolchildren now have the opportunity to contact their parents or friends over their own
mobile phones directly from the school premises.
b) Although today’s cellular telephones are much cheaper than the first model available , they still
remain more expensive to buy and use than regular telephones.
c) Hardly anybody would give a positive answer to this question.
d) Although it has taken a long time to make them available to everybody, it is now clear that they
enable us to communicate with the most distant places.
e) Yet, it is often amusing to hear such ‘successful’ people using their phones to call friends from bars
and restaurants when cheaper public pay-phones are nearby.

II. Answer the questions:

1) When did the telephone become an indispensable machine in our lives?

2) What makes it possible to communicate over a mobile phone from a great distance?
3) Why do many ‘successful’ people not use the public pay-phones?
4) What is the difference in price between the use of a mobile phone and a regular phone?
5) Why is a cellular phone compared to a calculator in the text?

Phones in Fashion

The necessity for telephones is unquestionable; they have become, especially since the 1950s, an
essential tool in modern life. One may argue if a real ‘need’ exists for people to use their telephones
as often as they do, but can you imagine your life without one at home, even in your car, or when on
holiday in the mountains, for instance?
(1).......................................................................................................................................................
In recent years mobile phones have become particularly fashionable. Technically called cellular
phones , they are one of the great contributions of technology to our lives. (2)......................................
Calls can now be made from far away areas of the world thanks to a vast web of transmission towers ,
antennas, and satellites in space that took years to develop and build.
The most basic car phones in use today allow business people to remain within their offices’ reach,
and drivers to travel alone safely. Smaller and lighter models now allow users to take their telephones
almost everywhere, including the beach, their weekend home, and even some aeroplanes.
(3).......................................................................................................................................................
Nowadays, throughout the world, the cellular phone has become a status symbol, without which in
some cultures it is assumed that you belong to a ‘lower class’ of ‘less successful’ people.
(4).................................. It is simply a way of showing off and making oneself look important to
others.
Obviously, mobile phones are convenient but this convenience also has its price. (5)............................
On average , cellular phone calls are about twice as expensive as those from regular phones and
additionally, you have to pay a monthly fee to use your phone.
 14

Still, mobile phones will continue to improve in quality, and prices should continue to decrease. It
may not be long before the cellular phone is as basic as a calculator in the lives of many people
around the world.

Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

I. We can report : * statements * questions * commands, requests, suggestions

Type of sentences Direct Speech Reported Speech

1) Imperative They say , ‘Close the door’ They ask/asked to do.......

(Повелительное) They say , ‘Don’t close the They tell/told not to do........
window’
2) Declarative She says, ‘I don’t know She says/said (that) subject / predicate
( утвердительное, this rule’
повествовательное)
3) Yes/No Question The tourist asks me, ‘Do The tourist asks/asked me
( общий вопрос) you live in St.Petersburg?’ if (whether) / subject / predicate
 We prefer whether before or , especially in
a formal style.
* I enquired whether she was coming by road
or by air.
4) WH-question We ask them, ‘Where does We ask / asked
(специальный Ben live?’ question word / subject /predicate
вопрос)

II. Changes: Verb tenses and time expressions change in reported speech:

 when the introductory verb is in the past tense. ‘I am buying a new car next month’, he said.
 He said that he was buying a new car the following month.
 in out-of-date reporting. ‘(13 October) Tim said ‘I have caught a cold’.  (17 October) Tim said
that he had caught a cold.
 when we consider what the speaker says to be untrue. ‘ Peter and I are business partners’, Jill
said to me.  Jill said that she and Peter were business partners. (but Peter had never met her)
 past tenses are changed to past perfect tenses after past reporting verbs, but only if this is
necessary in order to make the time relations clear:
‘I saw Penny a couple of days ago’.  He said he’d seen Penny a couple of days before.
‘Dinosaurs were around for 250 million years’.  This guy on TV said dinosaurs were around
250 million years.

Change in tense Direct Speech Reported Speech

1. Present Simple Past Simple ‘I play the piano’ He said he played the piano.
2. Present Continuous  Past ‘I am learning He said (that) he was learning
Continuous French.’ French.
3. Present Perfect  Past Perfect ‘I have already He said (that) he had already
watered the flowers.’ watered the flowers.
4. Past Simple  Past Perfect ‘I didn’t go out’ He said he hadn’t gone out.
5. Past Continuos  Past Continuous / ‘I was writing a letter He said (that) he was writing /had
Past Perfect Continuous at 5 o’clock.’ been writing a letter at 5 o’clock.
6. Future (will)  ‘I will do the He said (that) he would do the
conditional (would) shopping.’ shopping.
7. Present Perfect Continuous  ‘I have been working He said he had been working all
Past Perfect Continuous all day.’ day.
8. Past Perfect  Past Perfect ‘I hadn’t seen him She said she hadn’t seen him
Past Perfect Continuous Past before’. before..
Perfect Continuous
 15

No change in tense
He says the city is crowded.
 the introductory verb (say, tell.....) is ‘The city is He is saying that the city is
in the Present Simple, Present crowded.’ crowded.
Continuous, Present Perfect, He often said that the city is
Future Perfect crowded.
The government has announced
‘Taxes will be that taxes will be raised.
 There is no change in tense in raised’. He said he lives in Paris.
reported speech when what is said is ‘I live in Paris’. He said the Earth goes round the
still true or is always true or a law of ‘The Earth goes Sun.
nature round the Sun’.
He said Elvis Presley was still
 If what is said is clearly untrue, ‘Elvis Presley is still alive.
the tense changes. alive’. * Did you hear that? She said she
was fourteen!
 the speaker is reporting something
Mum said (that) there is plenty of
immediately after it was said (up to ‘There’s plenty of food in the fridge.
date)
food in the fridge’
 There is no tense change when we She said she wished he was /were
report wishes or preferences. ‘ I wish he was / with her now.
were with me now’. He said he would prefer to go to
‘ I would prefer to go Paris.
 the reported sentence deals with type to Paris.’
2 or type 3 conditionals. Kelly said (that) if she had the
‘If I had the money, I money, she would travel abroad.
would travel abroad ‘

Modal Verbs
will  would ‘I will help you’. He said he would help me.
can  could ‘I can help you’. He said he could help me.
can could/ would be able ‘I can meet you at noon’. He said (that) he could/would be able
(future reference) to meet me at noon.
may might ‘I may come later’. He said he might come later.
must  must / had to ‘I must go to the bank’. He said he must/ had to go to the
(obligation) bank.
Must does not change when ‘ You must be happy’, Susan told Joe (that) he must be
it expresses a logical Susan said to Joe. happy.
assumption.
shall should ‘What shall I tell him?’ He asked what he should tell him.
(asking for advice)
shall  offer ‘Shall I help you?’ He offered to help me.
( expressing offers)
needn’t  needn’t /didn’t ‘You needn’t feed the dog’. I needn’t/ didn’t need to / didn’t
need to / didn’t have to have to feed the dog.
 Would, could, might, ‘You could watch a video’, He said that we could watch a video.
should, ought, had better, he said.
used to, mustn’t do not ‘You’d better go’. He said I’d better go.
change. ‘You ought to exercise My doctor told me I ought to exercise
more’ more.

III. Other changes:

 this / these  that /those*  today, tonight  that day,  this week  that week
 here  there that night  tomorrow  the next day, the
 16

 now then, at the time,  two days ago  two days following day
immediately before  next month  the month
 yesterday  the day  last month  the month after, the following month
before, the previous day before, the previous month  come  go

 * When this/these are used in time expressions, they change to that/those ( this week-that week;
these days- those days). When this/these are not used in time expressions, they change as follows:
a) they change to the when used as adjectives, that is, when they are followed by a noun ( ‘This film
is boring’, Claire told me. - Claire told me (that) the film was boring.)
b) they change to it or they/them when used as pronouns, that is, when they are not followed by a
noun. ( ‘ This is an unusual situation’, Dad said. - Dad said (that) it was an unusual situation.)

IV. Reported Statements

 to report statements we use a reporting verb ( say, tell, explain.....) followed by a that- clause. In
spoken English that can be omitted.
 Pronouns, possessive adjectives tenses and time words can change (see above)

Direct statement Reported statement ( no change in tense)

I hadn’t been there before He said he hadn’t been there before.
I would like a coffee. He said he would like a cup of coffee.
I’d rather stay here. He said he’d rather stay there.
You’d better leave He said I’d better leave.

V. Say - Tell - Ask

 Say /Tell are not used to report questions. (not: The driver said whether I wanted the town
centre)
 But Say/Tell can introduce the answers to questions. ( * Please say whether you want the town
centre. He never says where he’s going. I told her what time it was)
 If you say who you are talking to, use Tell (tell somebody): (* Sonya told me that you were ill.
What did you tell the police?)
 But you can say something to somebody : ( * Ann said goodbye to me and left)

 Say can be used both in She said, ‘I’m happy’./ Expressions with SAY,TELL and
direct and reported speech. She said to me , ‘I’m ASK.
It is used with or without a happy’. 
personal object. When used She said (that) she was SAY:
with a personal object, it is happy.  good morning/afternoon
always followed by the  something/nothing
preposition to (said to me) .  a prayer, so, a few words
In reported speech say is not  no more, for certain
followed by an object
pronoun, but it can be TELL:
followed by that.  the truth, a lie, a secret
 Tell can be used both in She told me, ‘I’m happy’.
  a story, a joke
direct and reported speech.
She told me (that) she  the time, the difference,
It is always followed by a
personal object (told me) . was happy.  smb one’s name, smb the way
 Ask is used in reported  one from another
‘Where is Tom?’ he asked  one’s fortune
questions and requests. It is
me.  He asked me  smb so
also used in direct questions.
where Tom was.
‘Will you do me a favour?’
Mary said to me.  Mary ASK:
asked me to do her a  a favour, the time, a question
favour.
 the price

VI. Reported Questions.

 17

 Reported questions are usually introduced with the verbs ask, inquire, wonder or want to know.
The verb is in the affirmative.
 The question mark and words such as please, well, oh... are omitted. The verb tenses, pronouns
and time expressions change as in statements.
 When we report questions constructed with who/what/which + be + complement, BE can be put
before or after the complement.
‘ Who’s the best player here?’  She asked me who the best player was./ She asked who was the
best player.
‘ What’s the matter?’  I asked what the matter was./ I asked what was the matter.
‘Which is my seat?’  She wondered which her seat was. / She wondered which was her seat.
 negative questions :
‘Why don’t you work harder?’  She asked why he didn’t work harder.
‘Don’t the children like ice-cream?’ (expressing surprise)  She was surprised that the children
didn’t like ice-cream. ( not: She asked if the children didn’t like ice-cream)
‘Isn’t she lovely!’(expressing emotion)  I remarked how lovely she was.( not: I asked if she
wasn’t lovely)
 question tags are omitted in reported speech. We use an appropriate introductory verb to convey
the same meaning.
‘ You won’t tell anyone, will you?’ she said to him.  She asked him not to tell anyone.

Direct questions Reported questions

Present Simple: ‘Are you American?’ Past Simple: He asked me if I was American.
Past Simple: ‘Did you see the Eiffel Tower?’ Past Perfect: She asked if I had seen the Eiffel
Tower.
Present Perfect: ‘Have you fed the cat yet?’ Past Perfect: Mum asked me if I had fed the cat.
Present Perfect Continuous: Past Perfect Continuous:
‘Have you been smoking?’ Dad asked me if I had been smoking.

VII. Reported commands / requests / suggestions/ orders /advice

To report commands, requests, suggestions, instructions, etc., in reported speech we use an

appropriate introductory verb ( advise, ask, order......) and the to-infinitive, -ing form or that-clause,
depending on the introductory verb.

 question word + infinitive He asked her how to make a white sauce. Don’t tell me what to do.
 we do not use infinitive structures after suggest and say ( instructions can be reported with
that-clause)
He suggested that I try the main car park . (not: He suggested me to try.....)
The policeman said that I mustn’t park there. (not: The policeman said me not to park there.)
 suggest + Ving ; suggest + person + infinitive; suggest + that + person +should + infinitive
She suggested going out that afternoon. She suggested Lucy try a new restaurant. She suggested
that they should stay at home for the holiday.

 the verb + pronoun + to

‘Stand up straight,’ the sergeant shouted.  The sergeant told the soldiers to stand up straight.
Introductory Verbs
Introductory Verb Direct Speech Reported Speech
+ to-infinitive
agree ‘Yes, I’ll drive you home’. He agreed to drive me home.
*claim ‘I’ve won £1,000,000.’ He claimed to have won £1,000,000 .
*demand
‘Give me your wallet’ He demanded to be given my wallet.
offer
‘Would you like me to help?’ He offered to help.
*promise
I’ll meet you at the cafe’. He promised to meet me at the cafe.
refuse
‘No, I won’t do the shopping’. He refused to do the shopping.
*threaten
‘Be quiet or I’ll send you to She threatened to send me to my room
your room’. if I wasn’t quite.

+ smb +to-infinitive
 18

advise ‘You should eat less junk food’ He advised me to eat less junk food.
allow ‘You can go to the party’ He allowed me to go to the party.
ask ‘Could you open the window?’ He asked me to open the window.
beg ‘Please, don’t hurt me’ He begged me not to hurt him.
command ‘Give me all your money’ He commanded them to give him all
their money.
encourage ‘You should study maths’. He encouraged me to study maths.
forbid ‘You mustn’t park here.’ He forbade me to park there.
invite ‘Will you come to my party?’ He invited me to (go to) his party.
order ‘Stop talking!’ He ordered me to stop talking.
* remind ‘Don’t forget to feed the dog’ He reminded me to feed the dog.
warn ‘Don’t touch those wires.’ He warned me not to touch the wires.
+ ing form
accuse smb of ‘You stole my gold watch’ ‘He accused him of stealing/having
stolen his gold watch.
*admit (to) ‘Yes, I lied to you’. He admitted (to) lying/having lied to
me.
apologise for ‘I’m sorry I broke your mug’ He apologised for breaking my mug.
*boast about/of ‘I’m the best tennis player in He boasted about/of being the best
the world’. tennis player in the world.
*complain (to smb) of ‘ I live very far away from the She complained (to me) of living very
city centre’ far away from the city centre.
*deny ‘No, I didn’t use your keys’. He denied using/having used my keys.
*insist on ‘You must rest more’ He insisted on me/my resting more.
*suggest ‘Let’s go to the cinema’ He suggested going to the cinema.
+ that-clause
explain ‘I liked his latest film because it She explained that she liked his latest
was exciting’. film because it was exciting.
inform smb ‘The manager will be back at He informed us that the manager would
noon’. be back at noon.
exclaim / remark ‘What a glorious day!’ He exclaimed/remarked that it was a
glorious day.
explain to smb +how ‘That’s how it works’ He explained to us how it worked.

 The verbs marked with an asterisk (*) can also be followed by a that-clause in reported speech.
1) He claimed that he had won £1,000,000. 6) He admitted that he was wrong
2) He demanded that I should give him my 7) He boasted that he was very rich.
wallet. 8) He complained that he didn’t earn enough
3) He promised that he would meet me at the money.
train station.. 9) He denied that he had taken the money.
4) He threatened that he would leave. 10) He insisted that I (should) work on
5) He reminded me that I had a meeting that Saturday.
afternoon. 11) He suggested that we go to the cinema.

VIII. Reporting a dialogue / conversation.

 In dialogues we use a mixture of statements, questions, commands, requests, etc. In reported

speech we use : and, as, adding that, and (he/she) added that, because, but, since, and
then (he/she) went on to say (that), while, then, etc. to link the sentences in a dialogue. We can
also use introductory verbs in the present participle form (offering, begging, explaining......)

a) ‘I’m exhausted’, she said to him. ‘Can you make me a cup of tea?’  She exclaimed that she
was exhausted and asked him to make her a cup of tea.

b) ‘I’ll take a taxi home. It’s getting late’, he said.  He said that he would take a taxi home as/
because/ since it was getting late.

c) A: Can I talk to Mr Smith?

B: I’m sorry, he’s not here. Would you like me to take a message?
A: No, thank you. I need to see him in person.
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 Mr A. asked to talk to Mr Smith . Mr B said that A wasn’t there and offered to take a
message. Mr A declined, explaining that he needed to see him in person.

 Exclamations. We use the verbs exclaim /say that to report exclamations which begin with ‘What
a/an......’ or ‘How........’in direct speech.
‘What an unusual design!’ he said.  He exclaimed /said that it was an unusual design.
He exclaimed /said that the design was unusual.
But with exclamations such as ‘Splendid!, ‘Great!’, ‘Good!’, ‘Excellent!’, ‘Oh!’, ‘Oh dear!’ etc.
we use the expression give an exclamation of delight /disgust/ relief/ surprise, etc.
‘Wow!’ he said as he unwrapped his gift.  He gave an exclamation of surprise as he unwrapped
his gift.

 Study the following examples:

d) They said, ‘Thank you’.  They thanked us.
e) ‘You fool!’ she said.  She called him fool.
f) ‘Happy Birthday!’ we said to Tom.  We wished Tom a happy birthday.
g) ‘Congratulations!’ they said to us.  They congratulated us.

 Yes/ No short answers are expressed in reported speech with subject + appropriate auxillary
verb / introductory verb.
‘Will you help me decorate the cake?’ she asked him. - ‘Yes,’ he said.
 She asked him to help her decorate the cake and he said he would / he agreed.

Reported Speech (practice) (form 10)

Test 1. Complete the reported speech sentences using the verb given.
1) ‘Why don’t you sit down for a moment?’ -She suggested...........
2) ‘I could make you something to eat if you like’- She offered........
3) ‘I’m feeling hungry, actually’. - I admitted.............
4) ‘I’m sorry that I was so late’. - I apologised...........
5) ‘What happened?’ - She asked him........
6) ‘I got stuck in the traffic’. - I told her........
7) ‘Now don’t forget you have to practise every day’. - She reminded me........
8) ‘Of course. I’ll practise every afternoon after school’. -I promised........
9) ‘And don’t leave your books at school again!’ - She warned me...........
10) ‘If I were you, I wouldn’t spend so much time playing computer games’. -She advised
me.........
11) ‘Let’s go to the cinema tonight.’ - She suggested........
12) ‘Don’t drive through the centre of town’. -He advised his wife.........
13) ‘I definitely didn’t leave the window open!’ - He denied........
14) ‘Could you please have the papers ready by 11 o’clock? - He asked his secretary............
15) ‘Don’t do that again, or there’ll be trouble’. - The teacher warned........
16) ‘Don’t forget to switch off the lights before you leave’. - She reminded.........
17) ‘You’ve stolen my pen! Give it back!’ -Peter accused........
18) ‘Come to my birthday party on Saturday’. - He invited.........
19) ‘I’m sorry I ever took your advice’. - She regretted........
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20) ‘I will not eat this pizza’- Ann refused..........

Test 2. Complete each sentence in reported speech, using these verbs:

promised, suggested, insisted, refused, accused, explained, said, asked, advised

1) ‘Why don’t we go for a walk?’ 6) ‘I gave you my homework last week’.

2) ‘I wasn’t anywhere near the scene of the 7) ‘Could you come and pick me up from school
crime’. today, dad?’
3) ‘This spot is the best place for a picnic’. 8) ‘If I were you, I wouldn’t drink so much’.
4) ‘The swallows return every spring and fly 9) ‘I won’t help you because you didn’t help
past my window. me’.
5) ‘Can you answer the phone? I’m having a 10) ‘I’ll bring it back tomorrow’.
shower!’

Test 3. Complete each sentence in reported speech.

1) ‘The camera needs two batteries.’ -The instructions say........
2) ‘I’ve finished the letters you asked me to write’. - Jill said........
3) ‘Pandas live in China’. - The teacher said........
4) ‘It’s time for bed’. - Dad says.......
5) ‘I have to tidy my bedroom now’. - Toby said...........
6) ‘I should have bought her a present’. - He said.....
7) ‘Coal is found underground’. -He said........
8) ‘You ought to go to the doctor’s’. -She said to her son......
9) ‘If I had more time, I would take up a hobby’.- Eric told me.......
10) ‘If I hadn’t parked my car on a double yellow line, I wouldn’t have got a ticket’. - Sam
said.......
11) ‘Dinner is ready’. -Mum says......
12) ‘If I were you, I would save some money’. -She told me......
13) ‘Kangaroos live in Australia’- She told them.......
14) ‘I can help you tidy the attic on Saturday’. _Karen said to Joe......
15) ‘You could be right’. -I said....
16) ‘ I live in St.Petersburg’. -She told me.........
17) ‘I watch TV every day’. -She has said that........../ -She will say that............
18) ‘ Where is Natali?’ - Sam wanted to know.............
19) ‘What do you want?’- John asked ...........
20) ‘When I saw them they were playing tennis’. - He said that.........

Test 4. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) ‘You must hand in your homework tomorrow morning’, our teacher said to us.
2) ‘I don’t want to go to school today’, Sammy said to his mother.
3) ‘I’ll buy some milk on my way home from work,’ said John.
4) ‘Tommy hasn’t finished eating his dinner ‘, Lucy said to Roy.
5) ‘My mother can look after the children next week’, Sue said to Harry.
6) ‘Tony was practising the clarinet last night’, his father said.
7) ‘The last time I saw Jean was two months ago,’ Diane said.
8) ‘Mr White comes to my cafe for a cup of coffee every morning, ‘Don said.
9) ‘Eric has just opened his new shop,’ Ian said to Ben.
10) ‘You must pay the bills on Monday’, Clare said to Alan.

Test 5. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) ‘Did you go to Bill’s party last night?’ asked Mark.
2) ‘Have you ever been to Italy?’ she asked me.
3) ‘Will you drive me to work today?’ Carla asked Richard.
4) ‘Do you like reading the cartoons section of the newspaper?’ Brad asked Susan.
5) ‘Where does he live?’ he wondered.
6) ‘When did you graduate from university?’ Laura asked Tanya.
7) ‘Do you know how to use the internet?’ our teacher asked us.
8) ‘Can I go to the cinema this weekend?’ she asked her mother.
9) ‘Why is he so late for our appointment?’ Sara wondered.
10) ‘How old were you when you first travelled on an aeroplane ?’ Sally asked me.
11) ‘Will you take the dog for a walk?’ asked Fred.
12) ‘Where did you go on Saturday night?’ Paul asked Tina.
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Test 6. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) Do you enjoy being a writer? 6) Have you travelled to many exotic places?
2) What was your first book about? 7) Who is your favourite author?
3) How many books have you written? 8) Which actors would you like to star in a film
4) Have any of your books been bestsellers? based on one of your books?
5) Do you do a lot of research for your books? 9) What is your latest book called?

Test 7. Match the direct speech sentences in column A with the appropriate introductory verbs
in column B. Then turn the sentences into reported speech.
1) I’m sorry I didn’t follow the instructions. a) threaten
2) You should see a doctor right away. b) invite
3) I’ll look after your plants while you’re away. c) refuse
4) Stay away from the cliff. d) ask
5) Would you like to go on a picnic with us. e) apologise
6) No, I won’t lend you my bicycle. f) advise
7) Let’s meet for lunch at the Bistro. g) warn
8) I’ll call the police if you don’t turn down the music. h) remind
9) Don’t forget to lock the kitchen door. i) promise
10) Could you tell us what’s on today’s menu? j) suggest

Test 8. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) ‘You should enter the poetry competition,’ Helen said to me.
2) ‘No, I didn’t take your credit card,’ Rick said to Kim.
3) ‘I have noisy dogs in my neighourhood’, George said.
4) ‘You cheated in the Maths test,’ Mr Nicholas said to Mike.
5) ‘You meet clean your room tomorrow,’ Mum said to me.
6) ‘I’m the fastest runner of all,’ Carl said.
7) ‘Tell me why you didn’t do your homework,’ Mrs Rees said to Cindy.
8) ‘I saw a tall man with blond hair break into the shop,’ Mr Parker said.
9) ‘You mustn’t drive my car without asking me first,’ Dad said to me.
10) ‘Yes, I used your mobile phone,’ Max said to Donna.
Test 9. Turn the following into reported speech by using the appropriate verb.
1) ‘In the beginning, the Beatles performed music influenced by American rock’n’roll and rhythm-
and-blues’.( reminded the public/warned) The expert...............................
2) ‘Butter melts in the heat’. (suggested /explained) The teacher...................
3) ‘We are not complaining about our working conditions’. (accused/ denied) They...............
4) ‘We may need to limit financial aid to a handful of students’. ( refused/ admitted
The school officials..........................
5) ‘The terrorist attacks on the US will result in retaliation and war’. (offered/ warned)
The US president.............
6) ‘Why haven’t they followed the instructions in the manual?’ (claimed/ wondered)
The employer...............
7) ‘OK, I will show you the places worth seeing in our town’. (agreed/insisted) My pen friend......
8) ‘Tom, you have committed a serious offence’. (accused/threatened) The policeman............
9) ‘Teenage rebelliousness is a natural part of growing up’. (promised/ suggested)
The psychologist....................
10) ‘Prices rose dramatically under the previous government’. (insisted/ inquired)
The new Prime Minister................

Test 10. Turn the following into reported speech by using the appropriate verb.

Accused, admitted, asked, denied, explained, inquired, promised,

refused, reminded , suggested , warned

Teacher: How is everybody today? Did you all remember to bring in your homework assignment?
Michael: I haven’t got mine. My mother came down with malaria yesterday.
Teacher: You are pulling my leg again, Michael! I won’t put up with your miserable excuses any
more!
Michael: I’m not lying. You can call the hospital to check.
Teacher: I won’t do it, Michael. Stop wasting everyone’s time! Enough is enough! Remember you’ll
all be sitting the exam next month.
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Michael: OK,OK, I’m sorry. I’ll bring my homework assignment tomorrow.

1) The teacher asked the class...............................
2) She also.........................
3) Michael.........................
4) He..................................
5) The teacher....................
6) She also...........................
7) Michael............................
8) He also..............................
9) The teacher.......................
10) She also............................
11) He......................................

Test 11. Turn the following into reported speech.

1) ‘I’m tired ,’ he said . ‘I didn’t sleep properly last night’.
2) ‘It’s cold in here,’ she said. ‘Shall I light a fire?’
3) Ann: I must go. I’m late.
Dave: What’s the hurry?
Ann: I’ve got an important meeting. It starts in twenty minutes.
4) ‘Have you finished your report?’ she said. ‘The boss wants it now.’
5) Sam: Can you help me? I’m lost.
Gill: Where do you want to go?
Sam: I’ve got a meeting at the Town Hall. It’s on Regency Road’.
6) ‘I’m bored,’ said Kate. ‘Shall we do for a walk?’
7) Tom: I haven’t got time to have lunch today.
Peter: Why not?
Tom: I’ve got a lot of work to do for the presentation. It starts at 3 o’clock.