15 Reported speech

Tense changes in reported speech; reporting in the same tense;

verbs for reporting; verbs for reporting with to infinitive;
reporting questions; reference to time, place, etc.

You are going to hear a radio interview. Rachel,

a reporter in the studio, is talking to a man called James
Baker, who is sailing in a round-the-world yacht race.
What do you think she is asking him?

n 020 Listen and check if you were right.

n /0 Later, Rachel tells a colleague about the conversation. Read what Rachel says, then listen again
and fill in the gaps with James's actual words.
1 Rachel: James told me he was about 100 R Rachel: He told me the sea was calm, the sun
kilometres off the coast of Australia. was shining.

James: 'I 'el about 100 kilometres James: 'The sea calm, the sun
off the coast of Australia: :

2 Rachel: He said he hadn't seen another boat for 7 Rachel: He said that he could sometimes see
a few days. sharks and dolphins swimming.

James: 'I another boat for James: 'I sometimes see sharks
a few days: and dolphins swimming:

Rachel: He said he thought he might win. R' Rachel: He said he would spend two hours in a
hot bath.
James: 'I win'
James: 'I two hours in a
Rachel: He said there had been a terrible storm.
hot bath!
James: 'There a terrible storm:
Rachel: He said he had to get his hair cut.
5 Rachel: He said he hadn't slept for three days.
James: 'I my hair cut:
James: 'I for three days!

psv
SA20 Complete the questions that Rachel asked. Then listen again to check.

1 I asked him where he was. 'Where ?'

2 I asked him if he thought he was going to win. 'Do you to win?'

3 I asked him what the weather was like. 'What like?

4 I asked him if he could see dolphins there.' __ dolphins there?

Can you see any pattern to the changes to the tenses in Exercises 3 and 4?

107
1 5 Reported speech

Grammar
n Tense changes in reported speech
When we report what someone else said, we are usually reporting at a later time so we
change the tenses used by the original speaker.

Direct speech Reported speech

present simple past simple

'I'm (am) about 100 km from Australia: He said (that) he was about 100 km from Australia.

present continuous past continuous

'The sun's (is) shining: He said (that) the sun was shining

past simple past perfect

'There was a terrible storm: He said (that) there had been a terrible storm.

present perfect past perfect

'I haven't (have not) seen another boat: He said (that) he hadn't (had not) seen another boat.

past perfect past perfect

'I hadn't (had not) expected the storm! He said (that) he hadn't (had not) expected the storm.

am/Is/are going to was/were going to

'I'm (am) going to win.' He said (that) he was going to win.

will future would

'I'll (will) spend two hours in a bath: He said (that) he'd (would) spend two hours in a bath.

can could
'I can see sharks and dolphins: He said (that) he could see sharks and dolphins.

may might
'I may win: He said (that) he might win.

might might
'I might win: He said (that) he might win.

must had to
'I must get my hair cut: He said (that) he had to get his hair cut.

A The following verbs do not change when they are reported at a later time
could, would, should, might, ought to, used wand verbs in the past perfect
You ought to buy a new coat in the sale. My mum said I ought to buy a new coat in the sale.
They used to live in California. —0 He said they used to five in California.
When we report must, we can use either must or had to in the reported speech but had to is more common:
Kate must buy some fruit' '"4 Kate said she had to / must buy some fruit
A We use must, not had to, when we report:
a negative:
Paul: 'You mustn't tell Sally our secret' —o Paul said we mustn't tell Sally our secret
a deduction:
Sarah: must be tired after the flight' —0 Sarah said Jim must be tired after the flight

1a3
 Reported speech 15
u Reporting in the same tense
If the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g. says), we use the same tenses as the original speaker:
Amy 'I've missed the bus so I'll be a bit late—,Amy says she's missed the bus so shell be a bit late.
lithe reporting verb is in the past (e.g. said), we sometimes use the same tenses as the original speaker if the
situation is still true:
Robert: 'I have three sister?
Robert said he has three sisters. or Robert said he had three sisters.
Carlo: 'I'm getting married in June:
If we report what Carlo said before June we can say
—0 Carlo said he is getting married in June. or Carlo said he was getting married in June.
A But if we report after June, we must change the tense
Carlo said he was getting married in June.

111 Verbs for reporting

We often use say and tell to report what somebody said:

With say, we must use to if we mention the person spoken to:
He said to me (that) he was going to win. (not I k St1;ci me)
Tell is always used without to, and it must be followed by the person spoken to:
He told them (that) he was going to win. (not Ile tad hi tl,c,tt / I k odd Unit)
A With say and tell, we usually omit that, especially in spoken English.
We can use other reporting verbs instead of say and tell. Some verbs are like tell:
He reminded me (that) it was his birthday.
She persuaded me (that) I should buy a different car.
He informed me (that) he had a new job.
They warned us (that) the bridge was in a dangerous condition.
Some verbs are nearly always followed by that and we use to il mentioning the person spoken to:
Imentioned (to my uncle) that Nicholas had found a new job.
The attendant pointed out that the pool would be closed on Saturday.
She complained (to the waiter)that the food was cold.
He explained (to us)that volcanic activity often caused earthquakes.
After agree we use with for the person spoken to:
Jack agreed (with me)that the film was brilliant

Jack agreed
with me that the film
was brilliant

Some verbs are nearly always followed by that but do not mention the person spoken to:
He answered that he had already read the report.
She replied that she didn't know my cousin.

109
1 5 Reported speed-

4 Verbs for reporting with to infinitive

We usually report orders and requests by using tell or ask + object + to infinitive
'Be quiet? —k The teacher told us to be quiet. (= an order)
'Don't stay out late: —0 Dad told me not to stay out late. (= an order)
?lease help me!' —k He asked us to help him. (= a request)
'Could you carry my bag. please? —0 She asked me to carry her bag. (a request)
Some other reporting verbs are also used with the to infinitive (> see also Unit 18):
'You should vote for me: —0 He advised us to vote for him.
'We could help you: They offered to help me
'I'll be a good leader: —0 He promised to be a good leader.
'OK. I'll help you do the shopping: —0 He agreed to help me do the shopping

n Reporting questions
Questions are reported using the word order of a statement rather than a question.
Questions with question words (who, what, etc.) keep these words in the reported speech:
'How do you feel?' —s Rachel asked James how he felt (not Iww did feel)
What's the weather like?' —0 She asked (him) what the weather was like. (not whut win the wwthc, 'like)
Yes/no questions are reported with if or whether:
'Can you hear me?' -* Rachel asked James if/whether he could hear her.
'Is the sea calmr —k Rachel wanted to know if/whether the sea was calm.
A We use the same structure when we ask politely for information:
Can you tell me what time the next train leaves?
I'd like to know if there's a flight to Australia next Thursday.

6 References to time, place, etc.

Depending on how close in time we are to the original situation, we often have to change references to time
when we report what someone said:

yesterday —4 the day before / the previous day

today —o that day / the same day
tomorrow the next/following day
next week —0 the next/following week
now 4 (right)then / right away, immediately, etc

We didn't do any work yesterday —0 They admitted that they hadn't done any work the day before
'Will the library be open tomorrow?' —0 She enquired whether the library would be open thefollowing day
'I have to go now or I'll miss my bus: —k He explained that he had to go right then or he'd miss his bus.
Other changes may include
here —0 there
this that/the
'I saw him here yesterday: —k She explained that she had seen him there the day before.
'What's this red box?' —* He wanted to know what the red box was.

'Jo
 Grammar exercises
Reported speech 15
El You talk on the phone to a friend, Luke. This is what he says.

1 'I've given up my job:

2 'I can easily find another one:
3 'I'm going to travel round Africa:
4 'I lived there as a child:
5 'I might get a part-time job there:

6 'I'm packing my bag:

7 'I'm really excited:
8 'I'll be away for a year!
9 'I may stay longer:
10 'You could come too:

After your conversation with Luke, you tell another friend what he said. Change the verbs above to
complete the sentences below.

1 He said he hat given up his job

2 He said he
3 He said he
4 He said he
5 He said he
6 He said he
7 He said he
8 He said he
9 He said he
10 He said I

Is it possible to report what Luke said without changing the verbs? Why?

nMatch the beginnings and endings of these sentences.

She told A I could help my neighbour mend his car.
2 My sister asked B whether my sister could give me a lift.
3 I said c me she couldn't afford to come to the theatre.
4 My parents said D to phone home regularly.
5 My teacher advised E to me, 'You shouldn't watch so much TV
6 I wanted to know p if I wanted to go on holiday with her.
7 I told G the dentist that Thursday was the only day I was free.
8 My brother promised H me to revise my work more thoroughly.

In
 15 Reported speech

fl Las-t year you worked at a children's holiday camp. During your interview for the job the organiser
asked you the following questions.

1 Are you married?

2 How old are you? Work abroad
3 Which university are you studying at? We are looking for enthusiastic and lively young
4 Where do you come from? people to work in a children's holiday camp over
the summer.
5 Have you worked with children before?
6 What sports do you play? NOV,-

7 Will you work for at least two months?

8 Can you start immediately?
9 Do you need accommodation?
10 Would you like any more information?

A Mend of yours called Miguel is going to apply for a job at the same camp. Complete the email, telling him
what questions you were asked.

Hi Miguel

Good luck with the job application! These are the things the organiser asked me about -
he'll probably ask you the same sorts of questions.

He asked me (1) ik I was roathea He wanted to know (2) which

university (3) at and where (4) Then he asked
(5) with children before and what sports (6)
He wanted to know (7) at least two months and (8)
immediately. He asked (9) accommodation and wondered
(10) any more information.

Let me know how you get on.

4 Correct the mistake in each of the following sentences by Cambridge First candidates.

1 I didn't know she had said you about the problem with my university. told
2 I asked him how he did feel about it, but he hasn't replied to my email.
3 I told her not to worry about the damage, but she replied me that it was her father's car.
4 Juan asked me if you did wanted to come.
5 She asked me did I want to go to the cinema.
6 He asked me for giving information about an interesting place to visit in London.
7 I reminded him he told me that there was a ghost in the castle.
8 He asked me if I will go to the concert with him.

112
 Reported speech 15
, A teacher is talking to Andy, a student. Later, Andy tells a friend what the teacher said.
Complete his sentences.

1- 2 4
You need to work You could Do you study every What time do you
harder. do well. evening? go to bed?

7
S— 6 Th
You spend too
You won't get good Have you decided
much time with your
marks. on a career yet?
friends.

1 She said I nceaci to work hatter

2 She told
3 She wanted to know
4 She wondered
5 She warned
6 She complained
7 She asked

6 Read what happened to Suzie the other day. Then write the conversation that she actually had.

I travel to college on the same bus every day. The other day when! got on the bus I realised
that I had left my purse at home and didn't have the money for the bus fare. But the woman
sitting behind me told me not to worry because she would lend me some money. She said
the same thing had happened to her the day before. I asked her what she had done. She said
someone had lent her the fare and she was going to give it back that afternoon on the bus,
so she was happy to do the same for me. She told me! could give the money back to her the
following day. I thanked her very much and told her! was very glad she was there.

Woman: Don't warns, ea tend you some money.

Stale:
Woman:

Stale:
II
Exam practice
Reading and Use of English Part 4
For questions 1-6, 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. You must use between two and five words,
including the word given. Here is an example (0).

0 The tourist guide said to us: 'Take a map if you go walking in the hills.'
ADVISED
The tourist guide advised 145 to take a map if we went
walking in the hills.
1 The weatherman forecast that it would be sunny all day.
SHINE
The weatherman said: 'The all day.'

2 'I haven't heard from Helen for a long time,' Paul said to me.
TOLD
Paul not heard from Helen for a long time.

3 'Did you book a room with a balcony?' I asked my mother.

IF
I asked my mother a room with a balcony.

4 Jack wanted to know what time they would leave the next day to catch the train.
WE
Jack asked: 'What time to catch the train?'

5 The little boy said he could dress himself without any help.

The little boy said. ' without any help.'

6 'Are we meeting David in the morning or the afternoon?' Karen asked.

WHETHER
Karen wondered in the morning or the
afternoon.

Grammar focus task

In three of the sentences above, the reporting verbs can be replaced with complain, insist and predict.
Write the reported sentences again using these verbs.