A Basic Guide to Using Direct and Indirect Speech

Copyright 2010 SANOOK ENGLISH

Mieder van Loggerenberg E-mail: ajarn_mieder@hotmail.com

Index STEP 1: WORD ORDER AND PUNCTUATION . STEP 2: BASIC SENTENCE AND VERB STRUCTURE ... STEP 3: UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF THE PERSONS . STEP 4: RULES OF CHANGING PRONOUNS ... STEP 5: TENSE TRANSFORMATION WITH VERBS .. STEP 6: REPORTED SPEECH FROM QUESTIONS WH- QUESTION CLAUSES . STEP 7: YES - NO QUESTION CLAUSES .. STEP 8: COMMANDS, REQUESTS AND ADVICE .. STEP 9: UNDERSTANDING HOW SUBJUNCTIVES RELATE TO COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE . STEP 10: ADDITIONAL RULES FOR REPORTED SPEECH STEP 11: QUICK GUIDE TO CHANGE BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH STEP 12: QUICK GUIDE TO REPORTING VERB COLLOCATIONS ..

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DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

Direct speech: In direct speech, we convey the message of the speaker in his own actual words without any change to another person. Indirect speech: In indirect speech (reported speech), we convey the message of the speaker in our own words to another person.

STEP 1:
WORD ORDER AND PUNCTUATION DIRECT SPEECH Direct speech the reporting message can be placed either before or after the reporting speaker but it is important to use the punctuation accordingly. Direct I like it, he said. or He said, I like it.

QUICK WORD ORDER AND PUNCTUATION GUIDE FOR INDIRECT SPEECH + Positive - Negative 1. Remove comma and quotes I say, 2. Add that after say 3. that can be left out I say that I say I am happy. I am happy. I am happy. I dont say, I dont say I am not happy. I am not happy. I dont say that I am not happy.

STEP 2:
BASIC SENTENCE AND VERB STRUCTURE Subject S+ S+ S+ S+ S+ Predicate V V+O V + Adj. V + Adv. V+N Verb (v.i.) (v.t.) (v.l.) (v.l.) (v.l.) Verb Rule Intransitive - Needs preposition when adding object Transitive - No preposition needed with noun Linking - Verb used independently from main verbs, takes the form of auxiliary verbs with tense. Usually emotion verbs and the verb to be can be used as a non-continuous verb.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

told and said has the same meaning but different usage told is (v.t.) needs an object said is (v.i.) with or without object, needs to when adding an object. Direct Speech He told me, He is playing well. He said, He is playing well. He said to me, He is playing well. or Indirect Speech He told me that he was playing well. He said that he was playing well. He said to me that he was playing well.

STEP 3:
UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF THE PERSONS 1st 2nd 3rd First person Second person Third person : the one who is speaking. : the one who is listening. : the one about whom we are talking. I and we you / thou (thou used for God or poems) he, she, they and (it)

QUICK GUIDE TO TABLE OF PERSONS Person Subject Object 1st singular I me 1st plural We us 2nd singular 2nd plural 3rd singular 3rd singular 3rd singular 3rd singular 3rd plural You You He She John Jill They you you him her John / him Jill / her them

Possessive Adj. my our your your his her Johns / his Jills / her their

Possessive Pron. mine ours yours yours his hers Johns / his Jills / hers theirs

Reflexive Pron. myself ourselves yourself yourselves himself herself himself herself themselves

STEP 4:
RULES OF CHANGING PRONOUNS We have to change the pronouns to keep the same meaning of a sentence. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said, They called us. She said, I like your jeans.

Indirect Speech He said they had called them. She said she liked my jeans.

Sometimes we have to use a noun instead of a pronoun to avoid confusion of who had done the action. If we only make mechanical changes (John said he had killed them), the new sentence can have a different meaning - John himself killed them. EXAMPLE Direct Speech John said, He killed them.

Indirect Speech John said that the man had killed them.

QUICK WORD GUIDE FOR PRONOUNS AND POSSESSIVES Subj. 1st singular 1st plural 2nd singular D I I he she you it Obj. 1st singular D I me him her you it Poss. Adj. 1st singular D I my your his her its 1st plural us you them 2nd singular singular you me him her it we you they singular you I she he it

2nd plural plural you we they

3rd singular he, she, it I

3rd plural they you we

2nd plural plural you us them

3rd singular him, her, it me you

3rd plural them us you

1st plural our your their

3rd singular his, her, its my your his her

3rd plural their our your

* your my

* Johns, Jills Johns his, her

QUICK RULE GUIDE FOR CHANGING PRONOUNS Subject Indirect How to change the subject of Indirect Speech Change to Direct

1st person S (subject)

2nd person O (object)

3rd person N (no change)

RULE 1: If 2nd subj. in Direct is 1st person then for Indirect change it to be the same as 1st subj. of Direct 1st subj. 3rd person 1st obj. 2nd subj. 1st person change to 1st subj.

Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect

: : : : : :

He said, I am with you at your house. He said that he was with me at my house. She said, My brother is with me at their house. She said that her brother was with her at their house. John said, She helps me with my homework. John said that she helped him with his homework.

RULE 2: If the 1st subj. and 2nd subj. in Direct is the same and is 1st person then no change for subject in Indirect 1st subj. 1st person 1st obj. 2nd subj. 1st person no change

Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect

: : : :

I said, I write a letter. I said that I wrote a letter. We said, We completed our work. We said that we completed our work.

RULE 3: If 2nd subj. in Direct is 2nd person then for Indirect change it to be the same as 1st obj. of Direct 1st subj. Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect : : : : : : 1st obj. 1st obj. 2nd subj. 2nd person change to 1st obj.

She said to him, You are intelligent She said to him that he was intelligent. He said to me, You have to come with me. He told me that I had to go with him. She said to me, Your friend has to help me. She told me that my friend had to help her. 5

RULE 4: If 2nd subj. in Direct is 3rd person then for Indirect then no change for subject in Indirect 1st subj. Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect : : : : 1st obj. 2nd subj. 3rd person no change

They said, He will come to your party. They said that he would come to my party. He said, Her mother is a good parent. He said that her mother was a good parent.

RULE 5: If 2nd subj. in Direct is 1st person plural (We) then for Indirect then change it to be 3rd person plural (they) 1st subj. Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect : : : : : : 1st obj. 2nd subj. 1st person (We) 3rd person (they)

He says to her, We are working hard. He says to her that they are working hard. She told us, We should be really glad. She told us they would be really glad. He explained, We are doing exercises. He explained that they were doing exercises.

RULE 6: If 2nd subj. is 3rd person and If 1st subj. and 2nd subj. is different in Direct then for Indirect change it to a matching noun of gender and quantity 1st subj. Different from 2nd subj. 1st obj. 2nd subj. 3rd person Noun.

Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect

: : : : : :

John said, He killed them. John said that the man had killed them. We said, She is at work. We said that the woman was at work. You said, they stole the money. You said that the robbers had stolen the money.

STEP 5:
TENSE TRANSFORMATION WITH VERBS Indirect speech (reported speech) is typically introduced by verbs such as say and tell in the past tense. As a rule, when you report something someone has said you go back a tense. There are many other verbs we can use apart from said, told and asked, these include: accused admitted advised EXAMPLE Indirect Speech He asked me to come to the party. He invited me to the party. He begged me to come to the party. He ordered me to come to the party. He advised me to come to the party. He suggested I should come to the party. agreed alleged apologized begged boasted complained denied explained hoped implied invited offered ordered promised refused remind replied thought

RULE 1: If these (reporting) verbs are in verb 1 form (say, tell), we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE EXAMPLE Direct Speech Present Simple I say, I am elated. Past Simple He says, I was a fool then. Future Simple She says, I will be more experienced then. Present Simple (will say) I will say, He loves cricket. Past Simple (will say) She will say, He was in the shop then. Future Simple (will say) They will say, We will achieve greatness.

Indirect Speech Present Simple (NO CHANGE) I say that I am elated. Past Simple (NO CHANGE) He says that he was a fool then. Future Simple (NO CHANGE) She says that she will be more experienced then. Present Simple (NO CHANGE) I will say that he loves cricket. Past Simple (NO CHANGE) She will say that he was in the shop then. Future Simple (NO CHANGE) They will say that we will achieve greatness.

RULE 2: If these (reporting) verbs are in the past tense (said, told), we CHANGE the following: Verb Tenses and Verb Forms Pronouns Adverbs of time and place

QUICK TENSE CHANGE GUIDE 1. Present Past 2. Past Past Perfect 3. Future Conditional * Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE

QUICK 12 TENSES CHANGE GUIDE 1. Present Simple 2. Past Simple 3. Future Simple 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Present Past Future Present Past Future Present Past Future Perfect Perfect Perfect Continuous Continuous Continuous Perfect Cont. Perfect Cont. Perfect Cont.

Past Past Cond. Past NO CHANGE Cond. Past Past Cond. Past NO CHANGE Cond.

Simple Perfect Future Simple Perfect Future Perfect Continuous Perfect Cont. Future Continuous Perfect Cont. Future Perfect Cont.

EXAMPLE Direct Speech Present Simple She said, It is cold. Present Continuous She said, Im teaching English. Present Perfect She said, I have been on the web since 1999. Present Perfect Continuous She said, I have been teaching English for seven years. Past Simple She said, I taught online yesterday. Past Continuous She said, I was teaching earlier. Past Perfect She said, The lesson had already started when he arrived. Past Perfect Continuous She said, I had already been teaching for five minutes.

Indirect Speech Past Simple She said it was cold. Past Continuous She said she was teaching English. Past Perfect She said she had been on the web since 1999. Past Perfect Continuous She said she had been teaching English for seven years. Past Perfect She said she had taught online yesterday. Past Perfect Continuous She said she had been teaching earlier. Past Perfect (NO CHANGE) She said the lesson had already started when he arrived. Past Perfect Continuous (NO CHANGE) She said she had already been teaching for five minutes.

! NOTE - With Future tenses the verb that refers to future such as will, shall and may changes into conditionals but the form of the tense does not change. Pronoun All I, We I, We All All Future will shall should shall should Indirect would would would should no change

EXAMPLE Direct Speech will He reminded me, I will come on Sunday. I shall He said, I shall appreciate it. We should She told us, We should be really glad."

Indirect Speech would He reminded me that he would come on Sunday. would He said he would appreciate it. would She told us they would be really glad.

! NOTE - When we are talking about the present or past feelings, we must change it otherwise it will not be clear. EXAMPLE Direct Speech Feelings He said, I hated her.

Indirect Speech Feelings He said that he had hated her.

RULE 3: If Direct Speech reporting verbs are in the past tense (said, told) with a modal verb, we CHANGE THE MODAL VERB BUT NOT THE TENSE QUICK MODAL VERBS GUIDE can could must may shall will did had to might should would had done

could would should might used to ought to

no change no change no change no change no change no change

EXAMPLES Direct Speech can He said, I can do it. must She said, I must have a computer to teach English online. may He said to me, You may need help. shall She said, I shall go to work. will He said, I will work hard. did She said, You did your homework.

Indirect Speech could He said he could do it. had to She said she had to have a computer to teach English online. might He told me I might need help. should She said that she should go to work. would He said that she would work hard. had done She said that I had done my homework.

! NOTE - THERE IS HOWEVER NO CHANGE TO: could, would, should, might, used to and ought to. EXAMPLE Direct Speech might I might go to the cinema, he said.

Indirect Speech might (NO CHANGE) He said he might go to the cinema.

! NOTE - If the modal verb must DOES NOT EXPRESS OBLIGATION, we DO NOT CHANGE it. However we do not usually change the modal verbs must and neednt but is some cases we can. must neednt had to didnt have to would have to wouldnt have to Would / wouldnt have to, used only for future obligations.

EXAMPLE Direct Speech might I might go to the cinema, he said. must He said, I must wash up. must He said, We must do it in June. must (SUGGESTION) He said, We must relax for a while. must (CERTAINTY) He said, You must be tired after such a trip. neednt He said, I neednt be at school today.

Indirect Speech might (NO CHANGE) He said he might go to the cinema. had to (PAST OBLIGATION) He said he had to wash up. would have to (FUTURE OBLIGATION) He said they would have to do it in June. must (NOT EXPRESS OBLIGATION - NO CHANGE) He said they must relax for a while. must (NOT EXPRESS OBLIGATION - NO CHANGE) He said we must be tired after such a trip. neednt / didnt have to / wouldnt have to He said he neednt be at school that day. He said he didnt have to be at school that day. He said he wouldnt have to be at school that day. 10

RULE 4: If the Direct Speech in the quotation marks talk of (Present or Past Simple Rules: repeated actions facts or habits, except feelings) then follow Rule 1 (we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE) EXAMPLE Direct Speech Fact The teacher said, The sun rises in the east. Something is still true She said, My name is Jill.

Indirect Speech Fact (NO CHANGE IN TENSE) The teacher said that the sun rises in the east. Something is still true She said her name is Jill. or She said her name was Jill. Action I said she did it on Sunday.

Action I said, She did it on Sunday.

RULE 5: You can also use the present tense if you are talking about a future event by using an Adverb of Time. If Direct Speech reporting verbs are in the past tense (said, told) with an Adverb of Time then follow Rule 1 (we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE) EXAMPLE Direct Speech Present Simple (about the future) She said, Next weeks lesson is on reported speech.

Indirect Speech Present Simple (NO CHANGE IN TENSE) (about the future) She said next weeks lesson is on reported speech.

RULE 6: Special verbs: after - wish, would rather, had better, it is time, we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE. EXAMPLE Direct Speech wish Jill said, I wish they were in Paris. would rather John said, I would rather fly. had better Jill said, They had better go. It is time John said, It is time I got up.

Indirect Speech wished Jill said she wished they were in Paris. would rather John said he would rather fly. had better Jill said they had better go. It was time John said it was time he got up.

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RULE 7: If-clauses: we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE. Present Real Conditional If + (Present Simple) + (Present Simple) If I have time, I study English. Sometimes I have time. Past Real Conditional If + (Past Simple) + (Past Simple) If I had time, I studied English. Sometimes I had time. Future Real Conditional If + (Present Simple) + (Future Simple) If I have time, I will study English. I don't know if I will have time or not. EXAMPLE Direct Speech Jill said, If I cleaned my room, my dad would be happy. Present Unreal Conditional If + (Past Simple) + (Future Simple) would If I had time, I would study English. I don't have time. Past Unreal Conditional If + (Past Perfect) + (Future Perfect) would If I had had time, I would have studied English. I didn't have time. Future Unreal Conditional If + (Past Simple) + (Future Simple) would If I had time, I would study English. I won't have time.

Indirect Speech Jill said that if she cleaned her room, her dad would be happy.

RULE 8: Time-clauses: we DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE. EXAMPLE Direct Speech John said, When I was staying in Bangkok I worked at Tesco Lotus.

Indirect Speech He said that when he was staying in Bangkok he worked at Tesco Lotus.

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STEP 6:
REPORTED SPEECH FROM QUESTIONS - WH- QUESTION CLAUSES QUICK GUIDE FOR CHANGING WH- QUESTIONS TO INDIRECT SPEECH 1. Remove comma, quotes and question mark My friend said, 2. Change said to asked 3. Join clauses using: how, who, whom, where, when, or why 4. Change 2nd verb to the same tense as the 1st verb 5. Put the subject before the verb My friend asked My friend asked

How are you? how are you.

how was I. how I was.

RULE 1: In reporting questions, the indirect Speech uses the verbs: asked / inquired / requested * Usually the QUESTION FORMS for direct in the quotation marks CHANGE TO POSITIVE FORM in indirect. The reporting verb say changes into ask, want to know, wonder. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said to me, What are you doing? A stranger asked me, Where do you live? The Policemen said to us, Where are you going? He said, Will you listen to such a man? His angry mother jeered, Do you suppose you know better than your father? He said, Where have you been? He said, What time did it start? She said, Why won't he do it?

Indirect Speech He asked me what I was doing. A stranger enquired where I lived. The Policemen asked us where we were going. He asked them whether they would listen to such a man. His angry mother jeered and asked whether he supposed that he knew better than his father. He asked me where I had been. He wanted to know what time it had started. She wondered why he wouldn't do it.

RULE 2: WH- QUESTION CLAUSES DO NOT FOLLOW the VERB TENSE ADJUSTMENT AS REPORTING STATEMENTS and CAN TAKE MORE THAN ONE TENSE FORM with reporting questions. QUICK TENSE CHANGE GUIDE FOR WH- QUESTION 1. Present Past 2. Past Past 3. Future Conditional

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QUICK 12 TENSES CHANGE GUIDE FOR WH- QUESTION 1. Present Simple Past 2. Past Simple Past 3. Future Simple Cond. (If) 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Present Past Future Present Past Future Present Past Future Perfect Perfect Perfect Continuous Continuous Continuous Perfect Cont. Perfect Cont. Perfect Cont. Past NO CHANGE Cond. (If) Past Past Cond. (If) Past NO CHANGE Cond. (If)

Simple Simple or Perfect Future Simple Simple or Perfect Future Perfect Continuous Continuous Future Continuous Continuous or Perfect Cont. Future Perfect Cont.

EXAMPLE Direct Speech Present Simple She said, How are you? Present Continuous She said, Where are you going? Present Perfect She said, Where have you been? Present Perfect Continuous She said, How have you been doing?

Indirect Speech Past Simple She asked how I was Past Continuous She said she was teaching English. Past Simple or Past Perfect She asked where I was. She asked where I had been. Past Continuous or Past Perfect Continuous She asked how I was doing. She asked how I had been doing. Past Simple or Past Perfect She asked whom I called. She asked whom I had called. Past Continuous She asked whom I was calling. Present or Past Simple (GENERAL TRUTH) She asked how hot the sun is. Present or Past Simple (AT THE MOMENT) She asked how hot the weather was. Present or Past Simple (AT THE MOMENT) She asked what I was thinking. She asked what I am thinking. Present or Past Simple (PERMANENTLY) She asked what I think. Present or Past Simple (PERMANENTLY) She asked me if I would make coffee.

Past Simple She said, Whom did you call?" Past Continuous She said, Whom were you calling? Present Simple (GENERAL TRUTH) She said, How hot is the sun? Present Simple (AT THE MOMENT) She said, How hot is the weather today? Present Simple (AT THE MOMENT) She said, What are you thinking?" Present Simple (PERMANENTLY) She said, What do you think? Future (CONDITIONALS) She said, Will you make coffee?

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RULE 3: SUBORDINATE WH-QUESTIONS - ADDING A PERSONAL COMMENT In a WH-QUESTION, the QUESTION WORD BECOMES the PRONOUN that JOINS the CLAUSE to a main sentence. The QUOTE CAN BE PLACED WITHIN A STATEMENT. The speaker restates the quote and adds a personal comment. The SAME TENSE, PRONOUN AND ADVERB CHANGES need to be applied. EXAMPLE QUOTED WH-QUESTION Where did he go? How long were you there? Which way shall we turn? What time is it? Where are you tonight? Who is she? Why are you always late?

COMMENT WITH WH-QUESTION I don't know where he went. (Adjust verb to past tense.) Where he went is a mystery to me. I can't remember how long I was here. (Adjust adverb: there here.) How long I was here is something I can't remember. I have no idea which way we should turn. Which way we should turn is something I can't answer. Can you tell me what time it is? What time it is is a mystery to me. He couldn't tell me where he was that night. (Adjust adverb: tonight that night.) Where he was that night was something he couldn't tell me. Do you happen to know who she is. Who she is, is a question I can't answer. She couldn't answer why she is always late. (Do not change verb tense for "general truth".) Why she is always late is a mystery to her.

! NOTE - COMMON MISTAKES EXAMPLE ERROR The man asked what time is it. (This is a common error of native speakers as well) She asked where are we going for lunch. She asked where we were going for lunch. (asking plans) She asked where to go for lunch. (asking instructions)

FIX The man asked what time it was.

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RULE 4: EMBEDDED WH-questions shortened to with an infinitive Commenting on a means or method question REQUESTING INSTRUCTIONS - In a WH-QUESTION that ASKS MEANS or METHOD (instructions), should or could is commonly used. COMMENTING ON REQUEST - The VERB CAN BE SHORTENED TO AN INFINITIVE (to + verb) in an embedded statement on means or method of doing something (instructions). EXAMPLE REQUESTING INSTRUCTIONS Where should I go? How do you use a dictionary? method Which way shall we turn? What time should we leave? Where can I find a pharmacy? "Who shall we invite?" Why should we be late? (This question asks about plans.)

COMMENTING ON REQUEST I don't know where to go. I don't know where you should go. I can't remember how to use a dictionary. I can't remember how I should use a dictionary. I have no idea which way to turn. I have no idea which way we should turn. Can you tell me what time to leave? Can you tell me what time we should leave? He couldn't tell me where to find a pharmacy. He couldn't tell me where I could find a pharmacy. Let's decide who to invite. Let's decide who we should invite. She couldn't answer why to be late. (This is not a statement of means or method.)

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STEP 7:
YES-NO QUESTION CLAUSES QUICK GUIDE FOR CHANGING YES-NO QUESTION CLAUSES TO INDIRECT SPEECH 1. Remove comma, quotes and question mark My friend said, Are you coming? 2. Change said to asked 3. Join clauses using: whether or if 4. Change 2nd verb to the same tense as the 1st verb 5. Put the subject before the verb My friend asked My friend asked if are you coming if was I coming if I was coming

RULE 1: YES-NO QUESTIONS DIFFER FROM WH-QUESTIONS. These QUOTED QUESTIONS can use different reporting verbs such as said or asked. These QUOTED QUESTIONS can also BEGIN WITH AUXILIARY VERB forms such as: is, are, am, do, does, has, have, can, will, must. They can be ANSWERED WITH yes or no. The pronoun whether or if is used to embed (insert) the question clause into the main clause. EXAMPLE QUOTED QUESTION He said, Are you coming? She asked, Is your brother coming too? He asked, Can you drive us? She asked, Will you have enough gas? He asked, Do we have enough money for gas?

REPORTED QUESTION He asked, whether I was coming or not. She asked, if my brother was coming too. He asked, whether I could drive them. She asked, if I would have enough gas. He asked, whether we had enough money for gas.

RULE 2: YES-NO QUESTIONS FOLLOW THE SAME VERB TENSE ADJUSTMENT AS REPORTING STATEMENTS. THE SAME RULES APPLY FOR MODAL VERBS WHERE THE MODAL CHANGES BUT THE TENSE DOES NOT CHANGE. QUICK TENSE CHANGE GUIDE FOR YES-NO QUESTIONS 4. Present Past 5. Past Past Perfect 6. Future Conditional * Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous DO NOT CHANGE THE TENSE

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QUICK 12 TENSES CHANGE GUIDE 1. Present Simple 2. Past Simple 3. Future Simple 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Present Past Future Present Past Future Present Past Future Perfect Perfect Perfect Continuous Continuous Continuous Perfect Cont. Perfect Cont. Perfect Cont.

Past Past Cond. Past NO CHANGE Cond. Past Past Cond. Past NO CHANGE Cond.

Simple Perfect Future Simple Perfect Future Perfect Continuous Perfect Cont. Future Continuous Perfect Cont. Future Perfect Cont.

EXAMPLE Direct Speech Present Simple She said, Do you live here? Am , Are, Is (Present Simple) She asked, Are you tired?

Indirect Speech Past Simple She asked if I lived there. Am , Are, Is (Past Simple) She asked whether I was tired. She asked whether I were tired. Past Continuous She asked whether I was working. She asked whether I were working. Past Perfect She asked if I had called yet. Past Perfect Continuous She asked if I had been calling her. Past Perfect She asked whether I had been married. She asked if I had gotten married. Past Perfect Continuous She asked whether I had been calling.

Present Continuous She said, Are you working? Present Perfect She asked, Have you called yet? Present Perfect Continuous She said, Have you been calling me? Past Simple She asked, Were you married? She asked, Did you get married?" Past Continuous She said, Were you calling?

! NOTE - If the tense reflects "general truth", it does not change to past form. Present Simple (GENERAL TRUTH) She said, Do you like dancing? Present or Past Simple (GENERAL TRUTH) She asked whether I like dancing.

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QUICK MODAL VERBS GUIDE can could must may shall will had to might should would

EXAMPLE Direct Speech Can She asked, Can I help? Must She asked, Must you do that? May She asked, May I come too? Shall She asked, Shall I make lunch? Will She asked, Will you leave soon?

Indirect Speech could She asked if she could help. had to or need to She questioned if I had to do that exactly then. She questioned if I need to do that exactly then. might She asked whether she might come too. would She asked if she should make lunch. would She inquired whether we would leave soon.

! NOTE - must changes to need to or had to in past tense

! NOTE - The reporting verb CAN BE SUBSTITUTED for other verbs DEPENDING ON WHAT THE SPEAKER WANTED TO SAY. Synonyms SYNONYM ask (asked) inquire (inquired) question (questioned) query (queried)

MEANING request information or something request information (formal) settle doubt settle doubt (data)

SENTENCE My neighbor asked if I was going to go on vacation. Mr. Smith inquired whether there were any more books available. My instructor questioned if I am / was working hard enough. The teacher queried whether I had finished the homework.

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STEP 8:
COMMANDS, REQUESTS AND ADVICE Commands and Requests in Direct Speech change to indirect Speech Verb expressing commands and requests. The IMPERATIVE MOOD is CHANGED TO INFINITIVE MOOD.

QUICK GUIDE FOR CHANGING YES-NO QUESTION CLAUSES TO INDIRECT SPEECH 1. Remove comma, quotes and exclamation mark He said, Get up! 2. Change said to verb related to command, request or He told me advice 3. Add object + infinitive to get up.

RULE 1: The commands, requests and advice mostly have the same form in English: verb + object + infinitive (advise, ask, beg, forbid, order, persuade, recommend, tell, urge, warn etc.). Unlike the direct speech the PERSON ADDRESSED MUST BE MENTIONED IN THE INDIRECT SPEECH. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said, Get up! He said, Please, revise for the test. I said, Put on your coat.

Indirect Speech He told me to get up. He urged me to revise for the test. I advised him to put on his coat.

RULE 2: Negative commands, requests and advice are made by verb + object + not + infinitive. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said, Don't hesitate. The doctor warned my father, Don't smoke.

Indirect Speech He persuaded me not to hesitate. The doctor warned my father not to smoke.

! NOTE - Tell CAN INTRODUCE STATEMENTS, COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE. However the FORM IS DIFFERENT. EXAMPLE Direct Speech STATEMENTS WITH TELL He told me, I am leaving. COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE WITH TELL He told John, Leave the room! The teacher told her students, Don't give up.

Indirect Speech (NOT USE INFINITIVE) He told me that he was leaving. (USE INFINITIVE) He told John to leave the room. The teacher told the students not to give up.

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! NOTE - Say and Tell can be followed by should with the pronoun I, we or he, she, they. EXAMPLE Direct Speech The doctor said, Get some rest.

Indirect Speech The doctor said that (you) get some rest. The doctor said that I get some rest. The doctor said that I should get some rest.

! NOTE - Similarly ask is USED IN REPORTED QUESTIONS, COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE IN DIFFERENT FORMS. EXAMPLE Direct Speech QUESTIONS WITH ASK He said, Will you make coffee? COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE WITH ASK He said, Make coffee, please. John told me, Don't park in my place.

Indirect Speech (NOT USE INFINITIVE) He asked me if I would make coffee. (USE INFINITIVE) He asked me to make coffee. John asked me not to park in his place.

RULE 2: Exclamation and Wishes in Direct Speech change to Indirect Speech. Verbs and punctuation can express Exclamation and Wishes. ! cried exclaimed, applauded called upon

EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said, Alas! I am undone Jill said, How clever I am? He said, Bravo! You have done well. So help me, Heaven! he cried, I will never steal again.

Indirect Speech He exclaimed sadly that he was undone. Jill exclaimed that she was very clever. He applauded him, saying that he had done well. He called upon Heaven to witness his choice never to steal again.

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STEP 9:
UNDERSTANDING HOW SUBJUNCTIVES RELATE TO COMMANDS, REQUESTS OR ADVICE RULE 1: SUBJUNCTIVES FORM FORM Use the simple form (V1) of the verb. The simple form is the infinitive without the to. The simple form of the verb to go is go.However the Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. USE The Subjunctive is used to EMPHASIZE URGENCY OR IMPORTANCE. It is USED AFTER CERTAIN EXPRESSIONS. EXAMPLES: I suggest that he study.

NOTICE The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. In the examples below, the Subjunctive is not noticeable in the you-form of the verb, but it is noticeable in the he-form of the verb. EXAMPLES: You try to study often. (you-form of try) It is important that you try to study often. (Subjunctive form of try) looks the same. He tries to study often. (he-form of try) It is important that he try to study often. (Subjunctive form of try) is noticeable here.

VERBS FOLLOWED BY THE SUBJUNCTIVE The Subjunctive is used after the following verbs: to advise (that) to ask (that) to command (that) to demand (that) to desire (that) to insist (that) to propose (that) to recommend (that) to request (that) to suggest (that) to urge (that)

EXAMPLES: The teacher insists that her students be on time.

EXPRESSIONS FOLLOWED BY THE SUBJUNCTIVE The Subjunctive is used after the following expressions: It is best (that) It is essential (that) It is recommended (that) It is crucial (that) It is imperative (that) It is urgent (that) It is desirable (that) It is important (that) It is vital (that) EXAMPLES: It is important she attend the meeting.

It is a good idea (that) It is a bad idea (that)

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NEGATIVE, CONTINUOUS AND PASSIVE FORMS OF SUBJUNCTIVE The Subjunctive can be used in negative, continuous and passive forms. NEGATIVE EXAMPLES: The boss insisted that John not be at the meeting. PASSIVE EXAMPLES: John recommended that Jill be hired immediately. CONTINUOUS EXAMPLES: I propose that we all be waiting in John's apartment when he gets home.

SHOULD AS SUBJUNCTIVE After many of the above expressions, the word should is sometimes used to express the idea of subjunctiveness. This form is used more frequently in British English and is most common after the verbs suggest, recommend and insist. The use of the subjunctive is more common in American English than in British English, where should + infinitive is often used. EXAMPLES: The teacher suggested that Wilma should study harder for the final exam. (BrE) The manager insists that the car park should be locked at night. (AmE)

RULE 2: SUBJUNCTIVE VS. INFINITIVE VERB FORM When reporting a command, wish or suggestion, say or tell is followed by a that-clause or a shortened infinitive clause. The verb in the that-clause includes the subjunctive verb form, the plain form of the verb. EXAMPLE QUOTED COMMAND The doctor said, Get some rest.

REPORTED COMMAND The doctor said (that) I should get some rest. The doctor told me to get some rest. The doctor said to get some rest.

CLAUSE WITH SUBJUNCTIVE VERB Subjunctive Verbs expressing a wish, suggestion or order are followed by a noun/pronoun and a thatclause. ! NOTE - the verb in the clause is not inflected with a final -s for 3rd person singular - John, he, she, the group. Standard form with 3rd person singular: He leaves the house. SUBJ. NOUN & VERB The teacher ordered The teacher ordered NOMINATIVE PRONOUN that he (3 person sing.) that you
rd

CLAUSE (SUBJUNCTIVE VERB) leave. (subjunctive verb form) leave. 23

INIFINITIVE CLAUSE A similar meaning expressed with an infinitive clause. Following the verb is a noun or an accusative pronoun (the pronouns me, us, her, him, them, whom, whomever are accusative), which are both the object of the verb and the understood subject of the infinitive clause. SUBJ. NOUN & VERB The teacher ordered The teacher ordered ACCUSATIVE PRONOUN him you INFINITIVE CLAUSE to leave. to leave.

! NOTE - COMMON MISTAKES EXAMPLE ERROR I advised that John leaves.

FIX I advised John to leave. I advised that John leave.

SUBJUNCTIVE AND INIFINITIVE VERBS EXAMPLES: VERBS ORDER advise ask beg caution command advise ask beg caution command desire directed forbid instruct intend order pledge prefers prescribe signal recommend request

SUBJ. NOUN & VERB We advised She asked She begged The doctor cautioned He commanded We advised She asked She begged The doctor cautioned He commanded We desired He directed She forbids He instructed He didn't intend They ordered He pledged She prefers Dr. Lee prescribed They signaled He recommends They requested

NOMINATIVE + SUBJUNCTIVE that he take that we come that we stay that we rest that we stop that he take that we come that we stay that we rest that we stop that I see that we follow that he stay that we go that we do that we carry that we help that he see that he take that we come that you be that we dress

ACCUSATIVE + INFINITIVE him to take us to come us to stay us to rest us to stop him to take us to come us to stay us to rest us to stop me to see us to follow him to stay us to go us to do us to carry us to help him to see him to take us to come you to be us to dress

COMPLEMENT a break. along. up late. a day. talking. a break. along. up late. a day. talking. him. him. out late. home. all the work. a passport. out. it. aspirin. in. hired. formally.

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SUBJUNCTIVE AND INIFINITIVE VERBS CONT. EXAMPLES: VERBS ORDER require urge vote

SUBJ. NOUN & VERB We require We urged We vote

NOMINATIVE + SUBJUNCTIVE that you stay that he be that she be

ACCUSATIVE + INFINITIVE you to stay him to be her to be

COMPLEMENT late. more careful. President.

IMPERATIVE VERBS ! NOTE - It has the meaning of ordering someone to do something EXAMPLES: IMPERATIVE VERB demand insist propose recommend suggested

SUBJ. NOUN & VERB They demanded They insisted They propose They recommend We suggested

NOMINATIVE + SUBJUNCTIVE that he leave that she come that he go that she hires that he try

NO ACCUSATIVE + INFINITIVE -

COMPLEMENT

along. first. him. again.

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STEP 10:
ADDITIONAL RULES FOR REPORTED SPEECH RULE 1: THE RULES OF CHANGING Here and Now words ! NOTE - in spoken English, when the place or the thing is in your reach, this and here dont change, they remain unchanged. EXAMPLE Direct Speech They say, We dont like this place. He said, I dont like this chair.

Indirect Speech They say that they dont like that place. He said that he didnt like this chair.

RULE 2: THE RULES OF CHANGING INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES 1. The reporting verb changes into asked or enquired of. 2. Interrogative sentence is made affirmative sentence. 3. In the place of question mark, we use full stop. 4. do, does and did are removed. 5. Helping verbs or model verbs come after its subject. 6. If the interrogative sentence is from helping verb or model verb, we use if or whether instead of that. 7. If the interrogative sentence is from Wh-/How word, the Wh-/How word remains in the same place. 8. We dont use if, whether or that with Wh-/How word. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said to her, Do you know him. I said to him, Are you coming with us. He said to him, Where were you going yesterday.

Indirect Speech He asked her if she knew him. I asked him whether he was coming with us. He asked him where he had been going the previous day.

RULE 3: THE RULES OF CHANGING IMPERATIVE SENTENCES If the sentence is a request, suggestion, order or advice it is called imperative sentence. 1. reported verb full infinitive 2. order ordered 3. order asked or told (less stress) 4. request requested/entreated 5. advice advised 6. advice urged (more stress) 7. never told, advised or forbade (no not after forbade) 8. direction directed 9. suggestion suggested to 10. warning warn 26

! NOTE - if a person is addressed directly, the reporting verb changes into called EXAMPLE Direct Speech She said to them, Please, help me. He said to him, Dont make mistakes again.

Indirect Speech She requested them to help her. He warned him not to make mistakes again.

RULE 4: THE RULES OF CHANGING OPTATIVE SENTENCES When the verbs pray or wish are used in a sentence it is called an Optative sentence. 1. May will change into might and it will come after the reported subject. 2. The verb of reported speech will remain unchanged. 3. The exclamation mark will change into full stop. 4. that comes between the two speeches. 5. The reporting verb sometimes changes into prayed and sometimes into prayed for. ! NOTE (i) If the object of reporting speech is related with the subject of reported speech, the reporting verb will change into prayed for. (ii) If the object of reporting speech is not related with the subject of reported speech, the reporting verb will change into prayed and the object of reporting speech is omitted. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said to me, May you recover soon. He said to me, May he recover soon.

Indirect Speech He prayed for me that I might recover soon. He prayed that he might recover soon.

RULE 5: THE RULES OF CHANGING EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES 1. Exclamatory sentence changes into assertive sentence. 2. Interjections are removed. 3. Exclamation mark changes into full stop. 4. We put that between the two speeches. 5. Wh-/How words like, what and how are removed and before the adjective of reported speech we put very. 6. Changes of tenses, pronouns and here and now words will be according to the rules. 7. sorrow exclaimed with sorrow/grief/exclaimed sorrowfully or cried out ! NOTE - if the sorrow is being expressed strongly, the reporting verb will change into exclaimed with great sorrow/grief. 8. happiness exclaimed with joy/delight/exclaimed joyfully ! NOTE - if the happiness is being expressed strongly, the reporting verb will change into exclaimed with great joy/delight 9. surprise exclaimed with surprise/wonder/astonishment ! NOTE - the reporting verb can be changed into said in great surprise/wonder/astonishment (i) If the surprise is being expressed strongly, the reporting verb will change into exclaimed with great / said in great surprise /wonder/astonishment. (i) If there is an appreciation and it is being expressed strongly, the reporting verb will change into applauded. 27

EXAMPLE Direct Speech She said, Alas! My mother has become paralyzed. He said to his teacher, How lucky you are to win this match! I said to them, Bravo! You played very well.

Indirect Speech She exclaimed with great grief that her mother had become paralyzed. He said to his teacher in great wonder that he was very lucky to win that match. I applauded them that they had played very well.

RULE 6: HOW TO WE CHANGE LET FROM DIRECT INTO INDIRECT let is changed from direct into indirect in three different ways. 1. If there is proposal in reported speech. a) The reporting verb changes into proposed / suggested. b) let is removed. c) We put should before the reported verb. d) We put that between the two speeches. ! NOTE (i) If there is an object in reporting speech, the reporting verb changes into proposed to/ suggested to. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said, Let us play chess. He said to them, Let us play football.

Indirect Speech He proposed that they should play chess. He proposed to them that they should play football.

(ii) according to the rule, 1st person of reported speech changes according to the subject of reporting speech but here in the usage of let with suggestion; if the object of reporting speech is 1st person, the 1st person of reported speech changes against the rule according to the object of reporting speech. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said to me, Let us go to cinema. (iii) here object is commonly removed. ! NOTE - if the object of the reporting speech is the 2nd person, we will not apply SON formula. ! NOTE - normally you cannot be the object of the reporting speech because imperative sentences are said to the 2nd person but according to the situation you can be the object of the reporting speech. Situation: A says to B Let us go to bazaar. Saying this sentence A goes out from the room but B doesnt understand this and asks C what he said? Then C says to B He said to you, Let us go to bazaar.

Indirect Speech He proposed that we should go to cinema.

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EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said to you, Let us go to bazaar.

Indirect Speech He suggested to you that you should go to bazaar with him.

2. If there is permission in reported speech, act upon the following. a) the reporting verb will change into asked b) Before let, to is used. c) that is not used. EXAMPLE Direct Speech I said to him, Let me go. She said to me, Let me do this work first.

Indirect Speech I asked him to let me go. She asked me to let her do that work first.

3. If there is a request in reported speech. a) The reporting verb changes into requested. b) Before let to is used. c) Please is removed. d) That is not used. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said to me, Please, let me sit here. They said to him, Please, let us stay here.

Indirect Speech He requested me to let him sit there. They requested him to let them stay there.

! NOTE - If there is a negative sentence in reported speech, before let we put not to. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said to me, please, dont let him go.

Indirect Speech He requested me not to let him go.

RULE 7: CONDITIONAL SENTENCES Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled. There are three types of Conditional Sentences. IF-CLAUSES I condition possible to fulfill II condition in theory possible to fulfill III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)

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FORM TYPE IF CLAUSE I Present Simple If I study, II Past Simple If I studied, III Past Perfect If I had studied,

MAIN CLAUSE will + V1 (or Modal + infinitive) I will pass the exam. would + V1 (infinitive) * I would pass the exam. would + have + past participle (V3)* I would have passed the exam.

EXAMPLES (affirmative and negative sentences) + If I study, I will pass the exam. I If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I do not study, I will fail the exam. + II If I studied, I would pass the exam. If I studied, I would not fail the exam. If I did not study, I would fail the exam. If I had studied, I would have passed the exam. If I had studied, I would not have failed the exam. If I had not studied, I would have failed the exam.

+ III -

! NOTE - We could or might can be substitute for would would could might may should must

1. ! NOTE - if the reporting speech is in the present or in the future tense, the tenses of if and result clauses wont change. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He says, If he works hard, he will pass the exam.

Indirect Speech He says that if he works hard, he will pass the exam.

2. If the reporting speech is in the past tense, the following changes will take place in Type I/ first conditional / the will condition. a) b) c) d) The present simple tense of if clause changes into the past simple tense. The will of the result clause changes into would that comes between the two speeches. if of the conditional sentence remains in its own place.

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EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said, If he works hard, he will pass the exam.

Indirect Speech He said that if he worked hard, he would pass the exam.

3. ! NOTE the following changes will take place in type II / second conditional / would condition. a) The past simple tense of if clause can remain unchanged and it can also be changed into the past perfect tense. b) would + V1 of the result clause can remain unchanged and it can also be changed into would have + V3 c) that comes between the two speeches. d) if of the conditional sentence remains in its own place. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said, If he worked hard, he will pass the exam.

Indirect Speech He said that if he worked hard, he would pass the exam. He said that if he worked hard, he would have passed the exam.

4. ! NOTE (i) No change will take place in the if clause and result clause of type III / third conditional / would have condition. (ii) tenses , here and now words , pronouns and other changes will take place according to the previous rules. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said, If he had worked hard, he would have passed the exam.

Indirect Speech He said that if he had worked hard, he would have passed the exam.

5. If there is command / order in the result clause of conditional sentence, the following changes will take place, while changing it from direct into indirect. a) b) c) d) e) The reporting verb changes into told/ asked. The reported verb changes into full infinitive. The result clause comes before and if clause goes after the result clause. The tenses, here and now words and pronouns will change according to the previous rules. if comes in middle and works as a conjunction.

EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said to me, If you go out, bring me a glass of water.

Indirect Speech He asked/told me to bring him a glass of water if I went out.

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6. If there is an advice in the main clause of conditional sentences, we act upon the following rules while changing it from direct into indirect a) The reporting verb changes into advised. b) The reported verb changes into full infinitive. c) Other changes will take place according to the previous rules. EXAMPLE Direct Speech They said to her, If you have got tired, why dont you go to bed early.

Indirect Speech They advised her to go to bed early if she had got tired.

7. If there is request in the reported speech, we act upon the following changes. a) b) c) d) e) f) The reporting verb changes into requested. The reported verb changes into full infinitive. Result clause comes before and if clause goes after the result clause. tenses , pronouns and here and now words will change according to the previous rules. please is omitted. would is also omitted.

EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said to me, If you have money, please, lend me some money.

Indirect Speech He requested me to lend him some money if I had money.

8. If there is a message to be conveyed to someone by someone else in conditional sentences, we act upon the following rules. a) tenses , pronouns and here and now words will change according to the precious rules. b) The verb of the main clause changes into was to / were to / is to / are to / am to / according to the tense. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He says to me, If you miss this chance, prepare yourself for the next. He said to me, If you miss this chance, prepare yourself for the next. She said to us, If you miss the train, come by bus.

Indirect Speech He says to me that if I miss that chance, I am to prepare myself for the next. He said to me that if I missed that chance, I was to prepare myself for the next. She said to us that if we missed the train, we were to come by bus.

9. If someone is asking question for information with surprise / wonder, we act upon the following rules while changing from direct into indirect. a) The reporting verb changes into surprise / wonder. b) Interrogative sentences changes into affirmative. c) Other changes will take place according to the previous rules.

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EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said in surprise, what will we do if they leave us?

Indirect Speech He was surprised what they would do if they left them. He wondered what they would do if they left them.

! NOTE - if someone is asking a question for information without surprise or wonder, we act upon the following changes while changing from direct into indirect. (i) The reporting verb changes into asked. (ii) will changes into would and shall into should. (iii) Interrogative sentences will change into affirmative sentences. EXAMPLE Direct Speech He said, where will we go if we dont see him?

Indirect Speech He asked where they would go if they didnt see him.

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STEP 11:
QUICK GUIDE TO CHANGE BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH 1. TENSES Present Past Future 2. PERSONAL PRONOUNS I you we they he, she 3. POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS my your his, her their our 4. PLACES here this these here, there 5. TIME now today tonight this (morning/afternoon/evening/night) on Monday ago three (days/weeks/months/...years) ago yesterday the day before yesterday last night last (year/month/week) last (year/month/week) tomorrow the day after tomorrow next (week/month/year) thus

Past Past Perfect Conditional

he, she he, she, they they they he, she, I

his, her, my his, her, my his, her their their

there that those at + n. , at the + n.

then that day, yesterday, the day before that night that (morning/afternoon/evening/night) on Monday, 11th December (December 11) before three (days/weeks/months/.....years) before the day before, the previous day two days before the night before the (year/month/week) before the previous (year/month/week) the next day, the following day in two days the following (week/month/year) so 34

STEP 12:
QUICK GUIDE TO REPORTING VERB COLLOCATIONS 1. Verbs followed by 'if' or 'whether' + clause: ask know remember 2. Verbs followed by a that-clause: add comment admit complain agree confirm announce consider answer deny argue doubt boast estimate claim explain say see

fear feel insist mention observe persuade propose remark

remember repeat reply report reveal say state suggest

suppose tell think understand warn

3. Verbs followed by either a that-clause or a to-infinitive: decide guarantee promise expect hope

swear

threaten

4. Verbs followed by a that-clause containing should (but note that it may be omitted, leaving a subject + zero-infinitive): advise demand prefer recommend beg insist propose request 5. Verbs followed by a clause starting with a question word: decide forget learn describe guess realize discover imagine remember discuss know reveal explain 6. Verbs followed by object + to-infinitive advise beg forbid ask command instruct

suggest

say see suggest teach

tell wonder think understand

invite teach

tell warn

* Notice that a number of verbs can take more than one form. verb + object + verb + infinitive verb + (that) verb + gerund infinitive advise encourage invite remind warn agree decide offer promise refuse threaten admit agree decide deny explain insist promise recommend suggest deny recommend suggest

verb + object + prep. + gerund accuse blame congratulate

verb + prep. + gerund apologize insist

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EXAMPLES verb + object + infinitive Jack encouraged me to look for a new job. They invited all their friends to attend the presentation.

verb + infinitive She offered to give him a lift to work. verb + (that) Tom admitted (that) he had tried to leave early. She agreed (that) we needed to reconsider our plans. My brother refused to take no for an answer.

verb + gerund He denied having anything to do with her. verb + object + prep. + gerund They accused the boys of cheating on the exam. verb + prep. + gerund He apologized for being late. She insisted on doing the washing. She blamed her husband for missing the train. Ken suggested studying early in the morning.

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