Direct speech and reported speech

B Reported speech

In reported speech we give the meaning of what was said rather than the exact words.

Trevor says he's tired.

Wasn't it Greta Garbo who said that she wanted to be alone?

Claire replied that she didn't love Henry.

In reported speech we often change the actual words, e.g. 'I'm tired' —> he's tired. Sometimes the verb tense changes, e.g. / want —> she wanted (see Unit 134).

In reporting we use verbs such as announce, answer, explain, mention, promise, reply, say, suggest, tell. warn. The most common of these are say and tell (see C). We can also report thoughts. We think the meal was expensive. Nick knew Rita wanted to be with someone else.

When we report statements, we often use that, but we can sometimes leave it out.

You promised (that) you wouldn't be late. Sarah was saying (that) there's a problem.

C Tell or say?

TELL

We use tell if we want to mention the hearer (the person spoken to).

Sarah's boss told her she could leave early.

not -Sarah's boss told she-could leave-early.

Daniel tells me he's ready. We use tell without an indirect object (e.g. her, me) only in the expressions tell a story, tell the truth and tell a lie.

SAY

When we do not mention the hearer, we use say.

Sarah's boss said she could leave early.

not Sarah's boss-said her she could leave early.

Daniel says he's ready.

We sometimes use to after say, especially when the words are not reported.

The boss wanted to say something to Sarah.

What did Matthew say to you?

► She says she gets pains in her leg.

1 She says................................................................... 3 …………………………………

2 He says .................................................................... 4 ...................................................

Reported speech (B)

Who said what? Match the words to the people and report what they said. If you can't match them, look at the answers at the bottom of the page.

► Mrs Thatcher a) 'All the world's a stage.'

1 Stokeley Carmichael b) 'Black is beautiful'

2 Galileo c) 'Big Brother is watching you.'

3 Shakespeare d) 'There is no such thing as society.'

4 George Orwell e) 'The earth moves round the sun.'

► Mrs Thatcher said that there is no such thing as society.

1

2

3

4

Tell or say? (C)

Put in tell or say.

? All the experts say the earth is getting warmer.

? Did you tell Mark and Sarah how to find our house?

1 The Sales Manager is going to..................... everyone about the meeting.

2 Vicky, why don't you just…………… what the matter is?

3 They……………. they're going to build a new Disney World here.

4 What did Natasha……………. about her holiday plans?

5 Could you………….. me the way to the train station, please?

6 The company should……………. its employees what's going on.

7 You shouldn't……………..lies, you know, Matthew.

8 Did you …………… anything to Melanie about the barbecue?

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 1647