present simple I'm a teacher.

present continuous I'm having a party on Saturday present perfect simple I've been to France three times. present perfect continuous I've been working hard. Past I missed my bus past continuous It was raining earlier. past perfect simple/ continuous The train had left when I arrived. Will Can Shall What shall we do? may May I smoke? must Doors must be locked at night

past simple He said he was a teacher past continuous He said he was having a party past perfect simple He said he had been to France.. past perfect continuous He said he had been working hard. past perfect She said she had missed her bus past perfect continuous He said It had been raining earlier. past perfect NO CHANGE POSSIBLE Would Could Should He asked what we should do might He asked if he might smoke. had to He said that doors had to be locked

If the reported sentence contains an expression of time/place, you must change it to fit in with the time/place of reporting. For example we need to change words like yesterday and here if they have different meanings at the time and place of reporting.
now today here This/these tomorrow next week yesterday last week ago tonight then that day there That/those the next day the following week the day before the previous week previously that night

the following day the week after the week before before

the day after

When changing from direct speech to indirect speech, it is often necessary to change the pronouns to match the subject of the sentence. For example:

She said, "I need to ask my doctor ." BECOMES She said she needed to ask her doctor. Simon said, "My wife and I bought a new television." BECOMES Jack said that he and his wife had bought a new television.

(In most cases, we do not change the tense of the verbs in Direct Speech when: The reporting verb is in the Simple Present tense (he says), the Present Perfect tense (she has told us) or the Simple Future tense (I will tell him).) Im too tired to get up he says every morning. Every morning he says (that) he is too tired. I will tell him: Mary is sick. I will tell him (that) Mary is sick. Reporting Verbs Said, told and asked are the most common verbs used in indirect speech. We use asked to report questions. For example: I asked Lynne what time the lesson started. We use told with an object. For example: Lynne told me she felt tired. We usually use said without an object. For example: Lynne said she was going to teach online. If said is used with an object we must include to. For example: Lynne said to me that she'd never been to China. (Note, however - We usually use told.) For example: Lynne told me that she'd never been to China. (That may be used to introduce the reported words. It may be omitted. However, it is more common to leave it in.)

Reporting verbs with their different structures

There are many other verbs we can use apart from said, told and asked. admit agree decide deny explain insist promise recommend suggest verb + (that) Tom admitted (that) he had tried to leave early. She agreed (that) we needed to reconsider our plans. He denied that he had taken the money

Advise allow encourage invite order promise remind tell warn

Verb + object + to infinitive Jack encouraged/ ordered me to look for a new job They invited all their friends to attend the presentation He told/warned me not to open the box She reminded John to turn off the electricity

agree decide offer promise refuse threaten

verb + to infinitive She offered to give him a lift to work. My brother refused to take no for an answer. He threatened to take him to court

deny feel like recommend suggest

verb + gerund He denied having anything to do with her. She felt like going to bed Ken suggested/recommended studying early in the morning

Verb + object + preposition + gerund Accuse of They accused the boys of cheating on the blame for exam. congratulate on prevent from She blamed her husband for missing the stop from train warn against I prevented/stopped her from hurting herself

accused of agree with apologize for believe in complain about concentrate on cope with decide against depend on Get/be used to insist on look forward to rely on succeed in specialize in talk about/of think of worry about

verb + preposition + gerund He apologized for being late. She complained about being accused of stealing the money She insisted on doing the washing up We decided against writing the exam I look forward to seeing you He specialises in writing computer programmes They succeeded in winning the competition

Put the following into reported speech 1. "I'm going to France next week." 2. "They haven't spoken to their parents for six years." 3. "Sue doesn't want to go out with me." 4. "You'll have to be here at 3 o'clock this afternoon." 5. "I moved into my flat three years ago." 6. "If I hear anything I'll phone you." 7. "You can move into the flat as soon as you want." 8. "You must bring me the money tomorrow." 9. "I often go to the cinema." 10. "I'm going to do it now if you'll let me." 11. "I want to visit my friends this weekend." 12. "We've lived here for a long time." 13. "Have you finished reading the newspaper?" 14. "I really wish I had bought that new car." 15. "How long have you lived here?" 16. "I must get going. Otherwise, I'm going to be late." 17. "Did you see that film last month?" 18. "Will Mary arrive by five?" 19. "If you give me some money, I'll help you." 20. "Don't touch that flower!" 21. "Open the window, please."

Indirect questions exercises We are going out for dinner. Would you like to come too? What time is it? My watch has stopped. This is a most interesting book. Have you ever read it What is the matter? You don't look very well. Are you free tomorrow night? I would like you to come to my "Who won the match?" (does anyone know ) "Can they play the piano?" Who built that enormous bridge? (I wondered...) Who was at the conference? (I wanted to know ...) How important is the project? (Can you tell me ...) Should people be allowed to smoke in public places? (I'd like Where did you go last weekend? (Mary asked ) has the letter been written yet? Will the taxi be here at 8 oclock? Can you hear a noise? Do you need any extra chairs? How much room is there in the hall? How many guests were invited? Why did you not tell me before? Is there anyone answering the phone?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

party.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

to know ....)
12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Finish the sentence

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

I will not eat my vegetables The child refused ........ You should stay at this hotel. They suggested .... They should turn up the heating. The man complained I didnt steal the money. She denied ...... It was you who ate my chocolate He accused .. Yes, it was me. I ate your chocolate" She admitted . She admitted that " I'll be there on time. I won't be late." - He promised ... "I did not have sex with that woman." Bill Clinton denied . "I am having trouble believing Bill." Hilary admitted . Drive slowly. The streets are very icy." She warned sorry I didn't go to the meeting." - He apologised .. you mind opening the window?" - She asked .. forget you have to go to the bank. She reminded . you like to come to our party? - He invited .

7. 8. 9.

10. "

11. "I'm

12. Would 13. "Dont 14.

I will not meet Madonna. The Pope refused will help you with your essay. - She offered is the capitol city of Germany. He thought tooth fairy puts money under the pillow He believed

15. "Would 16. I

17. Bonn 18. The 19. I 20. I

needed you to bring the papers She relied .. cant wait to see him. I am looking forward .