REPORTED SPEECH – EXERCISES

I. Turn the following into reported speech.

2. “I don’t want to go to school today,” Sammy said to his mother.

3. “I will 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 practicing 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 café 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.

11. “Did you go to Bill’s party last night?” asked Mark.

12. “Have you ever been to Italy?” she asked me.

13. “Will you drive me to work today?” Clara asked Richard.

14. “Do you like reading the cartoons sections of the newspaper?” Brad asked Susan.

15. “Where does she live?” he wondered.

16. “When did you graduate from university?” Laura asked Tanya.

17. “Do you know how to use The Internet?” our teacher asked us.

18. “Can I go to the cinema this weekend ?” she asked her mother.
19. “Why is he so late for out appointment ?” Sara wondered.

20. “How old were you when you first travelled on an aeroplane?” Sally asked me.

21. “Will you take the dog for a walk?” asked Fred.

22. “Where did you go on Saturday night ?” Paul asked Tina.

II. Use the introductory verbs below to turn the following sentences into reported speech.
accuse, claim, deny, admit, complain, insist on, forbid, boast, encourage, demand
1. “You should enter the poetry competition,” Ellen said to me.

2. “No, I didn’t take your credit card,” Rick said to Kim.

3. “I have noisy dogs in my neighbourhood,” George said.

4. “You cheated in the Maths test,” Mr Nichols said to me.

5. “You must 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 Reese 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.

III. Using appropriate introductory verbs, turn the following into reported speech.
1. “You should tell your teacher what really happened,” my friend said to me.

2. “Why don’t we play chess?” Jill said.

3. “You must visit Eiffel Tower when you are in Paris,” Jack Said to me.
4. “Put your gun down,” the policeman said to the robber.

5. “You used my computer without asking me,” Tom said to Lisa.

6. “My daughter is the cleverest child in her class,” Mr Stevenson said.

7. “Would you like me to make you something to eat ?” Mum said to Rachel.

8. “Don’t forget to wipe your feet when you come in from the garden,” Mum said to us.

9. “Let’s go to the circus on Saturday,” said Bill to the children.

10. “Give me all the money from the till,” the man said.

IV. Complete each sentence with two to five words, including the word in bold.
1. “No, I won’t tell him,” he said.
refused He ___________________________him.
2. “You stole the money from my bag,” she said to Mark.
accused She ______________________________the money from her bag.
3. “Did you enjoy yourself at the party ?” he said.
if He asked me ___________________________________at the party.
4. “Yes, I broke the vase,” he said.
admitted He _____________________________the vase.
5. “Would you like me to open the door for you ?” he asked.
offered He ____________________________the door for me.
6. “I’ll wash the dishes later,” she said.
promised She ___________________________the dishes later.
7. “Could you pass me those books?” she said to him.
asked She ________________________________her the books.
8. “Don’t touch the wet paint,” he said to him.
warned He _______________________________the wet paint.
9. “I’m sorry I shouted at you,” he said.
apologised He ___________________________________at me.
10. “Where did you put my jacket?” she said to me.
had She asked me __________________________________jacket.
11. “Stop fighting or I’ll take you to the headmaster,” the teacher said to them.
threatened The teacher _________________________to the headmaster if they didn’t stop fighting.
12. “I have a headache,” Mum said.
complained Mum ____________________________a headache.
13. “You should exercise regularly,” the doctor said to him.
advised The doctor __________________________regularly.
14. “No, I didn’t read you diary,” Chris said.
denied Chris ___________________________my diary.
15. “Can I see the manager?” he said.
whether He asked _____________________________the manager.
16. “Don’t forget to pay the bills,” she said to Tom.
reminded She _______________________________the bills.
17. “Let’s bake a cake at the weekend,” she said.
suggested She ______________________________________at the weekend.
18. “Stand up!” the general said to the soldier.
ordered The general _____________________________stand up.