DIRECT SPEECH VERSUS REPORTED SPEECH Form changes The

DIRECT SPEECH VERSUS REPORTED SPEECH

Form changes The above examples show some changes: · no inverted commas (‘. . . ’) in reported speech, and no punctuation after said. · ‘that’ is added in formal speech/writing. · tense change (e. g. present is past was) pronoun (we) replaced by noun (his doctors) to make meaning quite clear.

Pronouns and Possessive Adjectives: changes

Time and Place: changes

I work here on Saturdays ----- She said (that) she worked there on Saturdays. I’m going to London tomorrow. --She said (that) he was going to London the next day. I’ve written a letter today-----She said (that) she had written a letter that day. I saw an old friend yesterday – She said (that) she had seen an old friend the day before.

I had forgotten to tell you. -----She said (that) she had forgotten to tell me. I’ll ring you later this week -------She said (that) she would ring us later that week. I cannot hear you. ----------She said (that) she could not hear me. You must do your homework. ----She said (that) I had to do my homework. I may join you later. --------She said (that) she might join us later.

REPORTING VERBS: · Other verbs apart form said used in the R. S. with a that clause: explained, admitted complained, argued, promised. Ex: I’ll give you a hand with your homework---- My father promised me to give me a hand with my homework. · When “suggest” is used to report advice it is followed by should. Ex:

Ask in the Post Office for directions----- He suggested that we should ask in the Post Office for directions. · A)The verb “tell” can be used to introduce a reported statement. It is followed by a personal object and a that clause. Ex: He told us that the film was excellent.

Other common verbs like this are: advise, warn, remind. B) The verb “tell” is also used to introduce commands. Ex: Go to your room---------He told me to go to my room. Other common verbs like this: advise invite recommend forbid ask, warn, remind.

Changes in Construction