REPORTED SPEECH

reported speech

unit 3

REPORTED SPEECH

Basic changes - backshift

When the reporting verb is in the past

Reporting structures

The most common reporting verbs are say and tell. However, we would not know whether someone was "screaming" unless we specify it or mimic what the person said using their same words and tone.

Therefore, other reporting verbs that can be used instead of say or tell to make speech more efficient.

Reporting forms

Verb + Infinitive with to

agree, ask, claim, demand, offer, promise, propose, refuse, threaten.

There is always sb or smt who receives the action, otherwise it does not make sense.

Reporting forms

Verb + OBJECT+ Infinitive with to

advise, allow, ask, beg, command, encourage, forbid, instruct, invite sb, order, remind,urge, warn, want.

Verb + gerund (verb+ ing) OR perfect gerund (having + past participle)

(sometimes )

Deny, mention, recommend, regret, suggest, admit.ALSO PREPOSITIONAL VERBS: apologise for, insist on, confess to, complain about

If the subject of the gerund is different we use an object or possessive pronoun for it.

Verb +object + preposition + gerund

Accuse somebody of, warn somebody against, (blame someone for + ing/noun)

Verb +(that) + should clause

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE Infinitive without "to" after the reporting verb in more FORMAL styles

recommend, suggest, propose

Verb +question word OR if/whether

ask, wonder, enquire

When a question can be answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ (yes/no questions). Whether usually when the answer is not so direct.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Agree, invite, warn, accuse, boast, complain, insist, explain, exclaim, remind, suggest, promise

1. “Will you come to the ball?” He said to her. He _____________ her to go to the ball. 2. “I´m the best student in the school” he said. He ______________ about being the best student. 3. “Yes, I’ll lend you some money”he said to Jane. He ______________ to lend Jane some money. 4. “What a beautiful dress she is wearing!” he said . He _____________ that she was wearing a beautiful dress. 5. “He never buys me flowers!” she said. She _______________ that he never bought her flowers. 6. “Let’s go for a picnic” he said. He _____________ going for a picnic. 7. “You stole the money” Tom said to Jim. Tom ________________Jim of stealing the money. 8. “Don’t forget to hang out the washing” she said to me. She _______________ me to hang out the washing. 9. “I promise I’ll write to you”, she said to him. She _______________ to write to him. 10. “You must finish the report” she said to him. She _________________ on him finishing the report. 11. “Don’t touch the wet paint, ”Dad said to us. Dad ___________________ us not to touch the wet paint. 12. “There’s nothing else I can do”, he said. He ________________________that there was nothing else he could do.

How easy is it to agree/reach an agreement on what to watch on Netflix/HBO? Think about the following situations:Brothers/sisters/parents Friends Boyfriend/girlfriend Elderly relatives

Who said...?

Try to remember who said it and write reported sentences using the verbs in the box

1. So, what do you wanna watch? (ASK)
2. I'm not that picky either, whaterver you want yo watch is fine. (INSIST)
3. We just got here, let's look around a little bit more. (SUGGEST)
4. I've seen it, it's good! (CLAIM)
5. I don't want to see one of those where everybody dies in the end. (REFUSE)
6. Ok, if you really want to see it we can get it. (AGREE)
7. Well, fine means fine, that doesn't mean you want to see it! (COMPLAIN)
8. Hey! Why don't we get one of those sixties musicals you like? (ENCOURAGE)
9. Well, I don't usually like musicals. (ADMIT)
10. So you want to laugh at me, is that what you are saying?? (ACCUSE OF)
11. Why don't we go back and watch something we already got at home? ( BEG)
12. Of course I do! (PROMISE)