English 24
10th May 2003
A little bit of GRAMMAR

Hi Guys!
This week we gave you some tips on how to use reported speech. That is how to tell someone what someone else said. There are of course two ways of doing this:
You can repeat the person's words:
Direct speech: Simon said, "I feel sick".
Or You can use reported speech: Tom said (that) he felt sick.

When we use reported speech, we are usually talking about the past, so the verbs usually change to the past tense.
Look at the following examples:
Here are some of the things Chiara said to you:
1. I've bought a new Vespa.
2. I want to go to Barcelona for a weekend break.
3. I'm going to start a new job next week.
4. My sister's baby is doing very well.
5. I'm going sailing on Saturday.
6. I'm having dinner with friends on Friday night.

Now you are telling someone else what Chiara said using reported speech.
1. Chiara said (that) her sister's baby was doing very well.
2. Chiara said (that) she was going to start a new job next week.
3. Chiara said (that) she was having dinner with friends on Friday night.
4. Chiara said (that) she was going sailing on Saturday.
5. Chiara said (that) she wanted to go to Barcelona for a weekend break.
6. Chiara said (that) she had bought a new Vespa.

In reported speech, the past simple (I did) can usually stay the same, or you can change it to the past perfect (I had done):

Direct speech: Chiara said: I overslept for work yesterday
Reported speech: Chiara said (that) she overslept (or had overslept) for work yesterday.
Now it's time to see if you've paid attention:

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1
Your friend Thomas told you the following things yesterday. Put them into reported speech.
a. My mother is in New York visiting her sister.
b. Sean and Sarah are getting married in September.
c. Silvia works 3 hours a day.
d. I'll tell Sam I bumped into you.
e. Joseph had a car accident last week, but thankfully he was unhurt.
f. Sam has had a baby girl.
g. I hardly ever go clubbing these days.
h. I've decided to leave my job because I want to live abroad.

1. Thomas said……………………………………………………………………
2. Thomas said……………………………………………………………………
3. Thomas said……………………………………………………………………
4. Thomas said……………………………………………………………………
5. Thomas said……………………………………………………………………
6. Thomas said……………………………………………………………………
7. Thomas said ……………………………………………………………………
8. Thomas said ……………………………………………………………………

Exercise 2
In this exercise Chiara says something to you, which is the complete opposite to what she said earlier. You have to respond in reported speech, "I thought you said……..
e.g. "That hotel is cheap". I thought you said it was expensive.
1. Joanne likes seafood. I thought you said……………………………………….
2. Sean is staying with me during the summer holidays. I thought you said …………………
3. Andy is going out with Simona. I thought you said ………………..
4. I can't come with you on Friday, as I have to work. I thought you said ……………………

Answers

Exercise 1
1. Thomas said (that) his mother was in New York visiting her sister.
2. Thomas said (that) Sean and Sarah were getting married in September.
3. Thomas said (that) Silvia worked 3 hours a day.
4. Thomas said (that) he would tell Sam he had bumped into me /bumped into me.
5. Thomas said (that) Joseph had had an accident last week but that thankfully he hadn't been hurt / Joseph had an accident last week but thankfully he was unhurt.
6. Thomas said (that) Sam had had a baby girl.
7. Thomas said (that) he hardy ever went clubbing these days.
8. Thomas said (that) he had decided to leave his job because he wanted to live abroad.

Exercise 2
1. I thought you said (that) Joanne didn't like seafood.
2. I thought you said (that) Sean wasn't staying with you during the summer holidays.
3. I thought you said (that) Andy was going out with Naomi.
4. I thought you said (that) you were on holiday on Friday.