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  • If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported speech (indirect) .

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  • When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:
  • pronouns
  • present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
  • place and time expressions
  • tenses (backshift)

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  • Example
  • direct speech
  • “I speak English.”

  • English.reported speech�
  • He said that he spoke English.

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  • Rewrite the sentences in reported speech. Change pronouns and time expressions where necessary.
  • She said, "I am reading."�→ She said that ____________________
  • They said, "We are busy."�→ They said that ___________________
  • He said, "I know a better restaurant."�→ He said that _____________________
  • She said, "I woke up early."�→ She said that ____________________
  • He said, "I will ring her."�→ He said that _____________________

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  • They said, "We have just arrived."�→ They said that _________________
  • He said, "I will clean the car."�→ He said that ___________________
  • She said, "I did not say that."�→ She said that __________________
  • She said, "I don't know where my shoes are."�→ She said that __________________
  • He said: "I won't tell anyone."�→ He said that ____________________

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  • REPORTING QUESTIONS
  • "Where is my umbrella?" she asked.�→ She asked _______________________
  • "How are you?" Martin asked us.�→ Martin asked us ___________________
  • He asked, "Do I have to do it?"�→ He asked ________________________
  • "Where have you been?" the mother asked her daughter.�→ The mother asked her daughter ________
  • "Which dress do you like best?" she asked her boyfriend.�→ She asked her boyfriend _______________

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  • "What are they doing?" she asked.�→ She wanted to know ________________
  • "Are you going to the cinema?" he asked me.�→ He wanted to know _________________
  • The teacher asked, "Who speaks English?"�→ The teacher wanted to know __________
  • "How do you know that?" she asked me.�→ She asked me ______________________
  • "Has Caron talked to Kevin?" my friend asked me.�→ My friend asked me __________________

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  • When transforming questions,also note that you have to:
  • transform the question into an indirect question
  • use the interrogative or if / whether

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  • Interrogative direct speech
  • “Why don’t you speak English?”
  • reported speech
  • He asked me why I didn’t speak English
  • Direct:
  • “Do you speak English?”
  • reported speech:
  • He asked me whether / if I spoke English.