REPORTED SPEECH (IMPERATIVE)
Elementary
Imperatives become infinitive phrases in reported speech, preceded by a verb such as "tell," "order," ''command,'' "ask," etc., with the person addressed.
Example: Bring me a book
He asked her (him, us, etc.) to bring him a book.
Put into Reported Speech, using the verb indicated:
1. Go away! (he told)
2. Come here ! (I asked)
3. Eat it up! (tell!)
4. Run away! (they told)
5. Pay at once (they ordered)
6. Fold it in half (she asked)
7. Give me another!(ask!)
8. Write quickly! (tell!)
9. Sit down ! (we asked)
10. Have a cup of tea! (she asked)
11. Come at five o’clock! (he told)
12. Pick it up! (he ordered)
13. Wash your face ! (he told)
14. Clean my shoes (I asked)
15. Do it again (tell!)
Intermediate
A negative imperative is reported by means of a negative infinitive.
Example: Don't do it!
He asked me (her, us, etc.) not to do it.
Put into Reported Speech;
1. Clean it yourself !
2. Wrap it up in a piece of paper!
3. Cut the corners off!
4. Do your buttons up! '
5. Don't sit on my bed!
6. Wait there till I come!
7. Don't speak until you're spoken to!
8. Leave it on the piano !
9. Don't wipe your dirty fingers on my nice clean tablecloth!
10. Don't try to be funny!
11. Brush it off when it gets dry!
12. Don't put your elbow on the table!
13. Look where you’re going!
14. Mind the steps!
15. Get you hair cut!
REPORTED SPEECH (QUESTIONS)
Elementary
Note: The word‑order of Reported Questions is the same as a simple statement; there is no inversion as in a simple question. In questions introduced by a question‑word (who, what, how, when, etc.), this word serves as a link between the introducing verb and the reported question.
Example: "What is your name?"
He asked me what my name was.
Put the following sentences into Reported Speech with the introducing verb in the past tense:
(Vary the introducing verb: he asked, enquired, wondered, wanted to know, etc.)
1. Where are you going? (He asked me . . .)
2. How did you do that? (They wanted to know . . .)
3. Who will come to the pictures with me?
4. When will my dress be finished?
5. Why are you so sad?
6. What is the matter?
7. Which book are you taking?
8. Where shall we meet tonight?
9. Who showed you my work?
10. How could you be so unkind?
11. When did they tell you that?
12. Why has she not eaten anything?
13. What shall I do?
14. What is the time?
15. How do you know that?
16. Where has he put my pencil?
17. When are you beginning your holiday?
18. Where shall I send it?
19. How do you like this cake?
20. Why does he sing so loudly? (We wondered . . .)
Reporting Yes-No Questions
Elementary
If the question has no question‑word, but is one of the type that can take "yes" or "no" for an answer, "whether" or "if" is used as a link between the introducing verb and the reported question.
Examples: "Have you seen him anywhere?"
He asked me if (whether) I had seen him anywhere.
" Whether " is a more accurate word to use, since it implies " if " or " if not," but " if," being shorter, is more commonly used.
Put the following sentences into Reported Speech with the introducing verb in the Past Tense. (Vary the introducing verb.)
1. Are you enjoying yourself?
2. Did you see the King yesterday?
3. Does she always wear silk stockings?
4. Have you seen my new hat?
5. Do I look all right?
6. Are the grapes sour?
7. Is it time to go?
8. Will the taxi be here at eight o'clock?
9. Can you hear a noise?
10. Ought the light to be on?
11. Are my shoes cleaned yet?
12. Did the greengrocer have any fresh vegetables?
13. Does your car always make a nasty smell?
14. May I use your telephone?
15. Is it raining very heavily?
Intermediate
Put the following sentences into Retorted Speech with the introducing verb in the Past Tense (vary the introducing verb):
1. Where do you live?
2. Have you been to town today?
3. How is your mother‑in‑law now?
4. Where shall I be tomorrow?
5. Can you tell me where I can find the British Institute?
6. Where are you going?
7. Where did I leave my shirt and trousers?
8. How much did you pay for these over‑ripe tomatoes?
9. Do you speak Russian? Do you think you can learn it in a year?
10. Can you lend me five pounds? Do you think you can trust me?
Advanced
Note: Reporting a reported question.
The only point to remember is the change of tense in both parts.
Examples: "Do you know who is coming?"
He asked if I knew who was coming.
"Do you know who killed him?"
He asked if I knew who had killed him.
"Did you wonder why I didn't come?"
He asked if I'd wondered why he hadn't come.
Put the following sentences into Reported Speech with the introducing verb in the Past Tense (vary the introducing verb):
1. Can you tell me why you are so sad?
2. Must you always ask me what I'm doing?
3. Do you know how far it is to the station?
4. Have you any idea when he did it?
5. Will you please find out when he last wrote to me?
6. Did you know what you were doing at the time?
7. Can you see the marks he made on the carpet?
8. Will you please tell me when you expect to come?
9. Have you any idea when you'll be this way again?
10‑ Won't you find out why he doesn't like us? (This is really an imperative. Treat as such.)
11. Where were you when the rain started?
12. Have you sewn on my buttons as I asked?
13. Did you notice whether she was made‑up or not?
14. Do you mind if I close the window?
15. Was the Mayor present when the new school was opened?
16. What do you think you are doing?
17. Who do you suppose would believe that story?
18. Do you know if any decision was arrived at?
19. Do you know why he was so cross?
20. Is it true that they were seen alone together?
21. Can you tell me what the time is?
22. Is this the spot where the murder was committed?
23. Can you remember when you last heard that tune?
24. How can one tell if she is speaking the truth?
25. Do you know which is the cup you used?
REPORTED SPEECH (STATEMENT)
Elementary
Note: When the reporting verb is in the Present, Present Perfect, or Future Tense, there is no change of tense in the words reported. Notice only the necessary change of person.
Example: "I am very sorry."
He will tell you
He says (that) he is very sorry.
He has just told me
Note: When the reporting verb is in the Past, Past Perfect, or Conditional Tense, the words reported are viewed in a different perspective. The speech is now remote, and viewed as a sequence of events happening in the past, the tenses being changed accordingly.
Example: "I am a student, and I have studied for three years."
He said (that) he was a student and had studied for three years.
So the following tense changes are automatic after past tense reporting verbs.
Present (Simple or Continuous) becomes Past (Simple or Continuous).
Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect.
Past becomes Past Perfect.
Future becomes Conditional.
Future Perfect becomes Conditional Perfect.
Conditional becomes Conditional Perfect.
The last change does not hold for the use of the Conditional in polite requests, which usually remain unchanged.
Adverbs of time and place and a few other expressions also change:
Examples: here = there; now = then; yesterday = the day before; this =
that; next week = the following week; ago = before; etc." etc.
But it is not always necessary to express them, as the past tense of the introducing verb is often quite sufficient.
Example: "I am coming to see you now." He said he was coming to see me ("then" is not wanted).
Put the following sentences into Reported Speech, introducing them with a verb in the Past Tense
1. I am ill.
2. I met him last year.
3. They will be here soon.
4. She has‑finished now.
5. I am living in London.
6. He is going to Berlin tomorrow.
7. I've just been to the butcher's.
8. I can come next week.
9. I don't know what he'll say.
10. They went away yesterday.
Intermediate
Report the following, putting the introducing verb in the Past Tense:
1. I would do the same myself if I were in your place.
2. I tried to ride a bicycle but I fell off three times.
3. I shall expect to see you next Wednesday.
4. These apples won't keep, they are too soft.
5. I haven't had enough time to finish what I intended to do. I can do some more later on.
6. I expect to hear some news tomorrow; I will tell you if I do, so that you needn't worry.
7. You must leave the country at once.
8. People mustn't fish in this river.
9. You must decide what you want to do.
10. You must do it all again before next week, though I must confess it's the first wrong one you've done. You'll get a new homework to do when you've finished it.
11. The football match wil1 take place tomorrow afternoon. All spectators are requested to obtain their tickets before five o'clock today.
12. Last night I went to the cinema and saw Spencer Tracey's latest film. I enjoyed myself very much, and am going to take my other girl‑friend tonight. (My boy‑friend Cyril said that . . .)
13. I am eighteen years old. I was previously employed in a large shop in this city, and my employers considered me to be very capable.
14. When I get back I'll give you the five pounds I borrowed from you yesterday. I hope I shan't meet with an accident
15. I can't do it now, but I expect I can do it next week.
With " Yes " or " No " a phrase is necessary, echoing the question‑verb.
Examples: "Will you come out tonight?" "No."
He asked if I would go out with him, but I said I wouldn't.
" Do you like this? " "Yes."
He asked me if I liked it, and I said I did.
Put the following into Reported Speech with the introducing verbs in the Past Tense:
4. Did you ring me up last night? Yes.
9. Did anybody call during my absence? No.
15. Can you meet me tomorrow? No.
20 Will you have some more strawberries? No, thank you.
22 Are you going away for the week‑end? Yes.
REPORTED SPEECH (MIXED TYPES)
Intermediate ,
Note: When statements and questions are mixed, each section
must be introduced by an appropriate verb, viz.: tell, say, explain,
remark:, etc., for statements only; ask, enquire, want to know,
wonder, etc, for questions only. A useful connective device for
question plus statement is "adding that . . ."
Example: " I'm off to the pictures. Where are you going? " He said he was off to the pictures and wanted to know where I was going.
Put the following into Reported Speech, with the introducing verbs in the Past Tense:
1. It is cold in here. Is the window open?
2. Do you think it will rain? It is very cloudy.
3. I must write some letters now. What date is it7
4. How do you like my girl‑friend Maisie's new dress? I bought it for her at a sale.
5. We are going for a country walk. Would you like to come too?
6. What time is it? My watch has stopped.
7. This is a most interesting book. Have you ever read it?
8. What is the matter? You don't look very well.
9. That looks difficult to do. Can I help you?
10. Are you free tomorrow night? I would like you to come to my party.
11. The dog has stolen the meat. What are we to do?
12. How far is it to Birmingham? I hope I we can get there before dark.
13. Who do you think is England's greatest dramatist? I like Shaw best.
14. How long have you been learning English? Your accent is very good.
15. It is time to go. Have you got all your things?
16. Is that the postman? I hope he has a letter for me.
17. Would you like to see the garden? It is very pleasant out there.
18. Where are the Barkers spending their holidays? They usually go to Bournemouth.
19. You are late home. What have you been doing?
20. Would you like a cup of tea? It's just been made.
21. I am learning English. Can you speak English?
22. I have a headache. Can I have an aspirin?
23. Will you explain what your boy‑friend Cyril means? I don't know what he is talking about.
24. The matter will soon be dealt with. Have you anything more to ask?
25. Have you a light? I've forgotten to bring my matches.
26. Do you understand it now? I'll explain it again if you don't.
27. Why can't you answer at once? You're not always so slow.
28. I've read this book before. Have you something else I can read?
29. May I take an apple7 They look so nice.
30. Can you tell me the time? I shall have to leave at five.
Advanced
This is a revision exercise and contains other Reported Speech forms in addition to the Imperative.