REPORTED REPORTED SPEECHSPEECH

STATEMENTSSTATEMENTS

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

INSTRUCTIONSINSTRUCTIONS

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Direct speech vs Indirect Direct speech vs Indirect speechspeech

(Quoted speech vs Reported (Quoted speech vs Reported speech)speech) Direct speech: the style used in writing to Direct speech: the style used in writing to

report what a speaker actually said, report what a speaker actually said, without introducing any grammatical without introducing any grammatical changes. The speaker’s words may be changes. The speaker’s words may be written between quotation marks. For written between quotation marks. For example:example:

Actual utterance : “You are a liar.” Actual utterance : “You are a liar.”

Direct speech/Quoted speech (use Direct speech/Quoted speech (use Quotation Marks)Quotation Marks) : He said, “You : He said, “You are a liar.”are a liar.”

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Direct speech vs Indirect Direct speech vs Indirect speechspeech

Indirect speech or reported speech: Indirect speech or reported speech: the speaker’s words are not reported the speaker’s words are not reported as they were actually said but are as they were actually said but are reported, for example, in the form of reported, for example, in the form of a a that-that- clause. For example: clause. For example:

indirect speech: indirect speech:

He said that you were a liar.He said that you were a liar.

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Reported statements : Reported statements : tense changestense changes

Several grammatical changes occur in Several grammatical changes occur in reported speech, including a change of reported speech, including a change of tense that is called back-shift (a form that tense that is called back-shift (a form that refers to an earlier time) . For example:refers to an earlier time) . For example:

Direct speech: Direct speech:

She said, “I She said, “I openedopened the can.” the can.”

Reported Speech: Reported Speech:

She said that she She said that she had openedhad opened the can. the can. Try this: Try this:

He said, “You are a sight for sore eyes.”He said, “You are a sight for sore eyes.”4

Reported statements: other Reported statements: other changeschanges Besides tense changes, other words in direct speech Besides tense changes, other words in direct speech

need to be changed. However the changes are not need to be changed. However the changes are not automatic. They depend on when and where the automatic. They depend on when and where the statement is reported.statement is reported.

Examples:Examples:tomorrowtomorrow - the next day/the following day/the - the next day/the following day/the

previous dayprevious dayyesterdayyesterday - the day before- the day beforeherehere - there- therethis / that this / that – the– thethis morning this morning – that morning– that morningtodaytoday – that day– that daytonight tonight – that night– that nightnext / on Tuesday next / on Tuesday – the following Tuesday– the following Tuesdaylast Tuesday last Tuesday – the previous Tuesday– the previous Tuesdaythe day after tomorrow the day after tomorrow – in two days’ time– in two days’ timeago ago – before / previously / earlier– before / previously / earlier 5

QUOTED SPEECH vs QUOTED SPEECH vs REPORTED SPEECHREPORTED SPEECH

QUOTED SPEECHQUOTED SPEECH

1.1. Ann said, “Ann said, “I’mI’m hungry.” hungry.”

2.2. Tom said, “Tom said, “I needI need my my

pen.”pen.”Quoted speech = giving Quoted speech = giving speaker’s exact words. speaker’s exact words. Quotation marks are used.Quotation marks are used.

REPORTED SPEECHREPORTED SPEECH1.1. Ann said (that) Ann said (that) she wasshe was

hungry.hungry.2.2. Tom said (that) Tom said (that) he he

needed hisneeded his pen. pen.Reported speech = Reported speech =

giving the giving the ideaidea (attitude / judgement) (attitude / judgement) of a speaker’s words. of a speaker’s words. Quotation marks are Quotation marks are not used. Not all of the not used. Not all of the exact words are used; exact words are used; pronouns and verb pronouns and verb forms may change.forms may change.

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VERB FORMS inVERB FORMS inREPORTED SPEECHREPORTED SPEECH

QUOTED: Joe said, “I feel good.”QUOTED: Joe said, “I feel good.” REPORTED: Joe said he felt good.REPORTED: Joe said he felt good. QUOTED: Sue said, “I am happy.”QUOTED: Sue said, “I am happy.” REPORTED: Sue said she was happy.REPORTED: Sue said she was happy.

Note:Note:In formal English, if the reporting In formal English, if the reporting verb verb (e.g. said) is in the past, the verb in (e.g. said) is in the past, the verb in the noun clause is often also in the the noun clause is often also in the past form.past form.

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VERB FORMS in REPORTED VERB FORMS in REPORTED SPEECHSPEECH

Ann said, “I am hungry.”Ann said, “I am hungry.”

1.1. A: What did Ann just say? I didn’t hear her.A: What did Ann just say? I didn’t hear her. [noun clause][noun clause]

B: She B: She saidsaid [she [she isis hungry] (informal Eng). hungry] (informal Eng).

2.2. A: What did Ann say when she got home last A: What did Ann say when she got home last night?night?B: She B: She saidsaid she she waswas hungry (formal Eng). hungry (formal Eng).

3.3. Ann Ann sayssays (that) she (that) she isis hungry. hungry. (present tense reporting verb)(present tense reporting verb)

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Changes in verb formChanges in verb form Note:Note:1.1. In informal English, often the verb In informal English, often the verb

in the noun clause is not changed to a in the noun clause is not changed to a past form, especially when words are past form, especially when words are reported soon after they are said, as in reported soon after they are said, as in 1.1.

2.2. In later reporting, or in formal In later reporting, or in formal English, a past verb is commonly used, English, a past verb is commonly used, as in 2.as in 2.

3.3. If the reporting verb is present If the reporting verb is present tense (e.g. says), no change is made in tense (e.g. says), no change is made in the noun clause verb, as in 3.the noun clause verb, as in 3.

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QUOTED SPEECHQUOTED SPEECH SPEAKER’S SPEAKER’S EXACTEXACT

WORDSWORDSJane: Cats are fun to Jane: Cats are fun to

watch.watch.

Mike: Yes, I agree. Mike: Yes, I agree. They’re They’re

graceful and graceful and playful.playful.

Do you own a Do you own a cat?cat?

QUOTINGQUOTING THE THE SPEAKERS’ WORDSSPEAKERS’ WORDS

Jane saidJane said,, “C“Cats are fun ats are fun to to

watchwatch.”.”

Mike saidMike said,, “Y“Yes, I agree. es, I agree. They’re They’re

graceful graceful and playful. Do and playful. Do

you own a you own a

catcat?”?”

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HOW TO WRITE HOW TO WRITE QUOTATIONSQUOTATIONS

1.1. Add a comma after Add a comma after saidsaid..2.2. Add quotation marks.Add quotation marks.3.3. Capitalize the first letter of the Capitalize the first letter of the

quotation.quotation.4.4. Write the quotation. Add a final Write the quotation. Add a final

period.period.5.5. Add quotation marks Add quotation marks afterafter the period.the period.6.6. When there are two (or more) When there are two (or more)

sentences in a quotation, put the sentences in a quotation, put the quotation marks at the beginning and quotation marks at the beginning and end of the whole quote.end of the whole quote. 11

How to write quotationsHow to write quotations

““Cats are fun Cats are fun to watch,” to watch,” Jane said.Jane said.

Notice that a Notice that a comma (not a comma (not a period) is used period) is used at the end of at the end of the quoted the quoted sentencesentence when when Jane said Jane said comes after comes after the quote.the quote.

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How to write quotationsHow to write quotations

““Do you own Do you own a cat?” Mike a cat?” Mike asked.asked.

Notice that a Notice that a question mark question mark (not a comma) (not a comma) is used at the is used at the end of the end of the quoted quoted question.question.

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Exercise 1Exercise 1 Write sentences in which you quote Write sentences in which you quote

the speaker’s exact words. Punctuate the speaker’s exact words. Punctuate carefully.carefully.

1.1. Rita: I’m tired. I’m going to bed.Rita: I’m tired. I’m going to bed.

2.2. John F. Kennedy: Ask not what your John F. Kennedy: Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.can do for your country.

3.3. The fox: The fox: I’m going to eat you.I’m going to eat you.

The hare: The hare: You have to catch me You have to catch me first.first.

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QUOTED SPEECHQUOTED SPEECH

He said, “I work hard.”He said, “I work hard.” He said, “I am working hard.”He said, “I am working hard.” He said, “I worked hard.”He said, “I worked hard.” He said, “I have worked hard.”He said, “I have worked hard.” He said, “I am going to work He said, “I am going to work

hard.”hard.” He said, “I will work hard.”He said, “I will work hard.” He said, “I can work hard.”He said, “I can work hard.”

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REPORTED SPEECHREPORTED SPEECHFORMAL or LATER FORMAL or LATER

REPORTINGREPORTING He said he worked hard.He said he worked hard. He said he was working hard.He said he was working hard. He said he had worked hard.He said he had worked hard. He said he had worked hard.He said he had worked hard. He said he was going to work He said he was going to work

hard.hard. He said he would work hard.He said he would work hard. He said he could work hard.He said he could work hard. 16

REPORTED SPEECHREPORTED SPEECHINFORMAL or IMMEDIATE INFORMAL or IMMEDIATE

REPORTINGREPORTING He said he works hard.He said he works hard. He said he is working hard.He said he is working hard. He said he worked hard.He said he worked hard. He said he has worked hard.He said he has worked hard. He said he is going to work hard.He said he is going to work hard. He said he will work hard.He said he will work hard. He said he can work hard.He said he can work hard.

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Reported Speech to Quoted Reported Speech to Quoted SpeechSpeech ExerciseExercise!! ReportedReported::

This morning my mother asked This morning my mother asked me if I had gotten enough sleep me if I had gotten enough sleep last night. I told her that I was last night. I told her that I was fine. I explained that I didn’t need fine. I explained that I didn’t need a lot of sleep. She told me that I a lot of sleep. She told me that I needed to take better care of needed to take better care of myself.myself. 18

Reported Speech to Quoted Reported Speech to Quoted SpeechSpeech Answer to exercise!Answer to exercise!

QuotedQuoted::1) This morning my mother said, “Did you 1) This morning my mother said, “Did you

get enough sleep last night?”get enough sleep last night?”2) “I’m fine,” I replied. “I don’t need a lot 2) “I’m fine,” I replied. “I don’t need a lot of of

sleep.”sleep.”3) She said, “You need to take better care 3) She said, “You need to take better care of of

yourself.”yourself.”

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Exercise 2Exercise 2 Change the following into reported Change the following into reported

speech.speech.1.1. Sara said, “I need some help.”Sara said, “I need some help.”2.2. Linda said, “I’m meeting Paul for Linda said, “I’m meeting Paul for

dinner.”dinner.”3.3. Ms Woo said, “I have studied in Ms Woo said, “I have studied in

Manchester.”Manchester.”4.4. Haris said, “I forgot to pay my electric Haris said, “I forgot to pay my electric

bill.”bill.”5.5. Tasha said, “I’m going to fly to Hawaii Tasha said, “I’m going to fly to Hawaii

for my vacation.”for my vacation.”6.6. I said, “I’ll carry the box up the stairs.”I said, “I’ll carry the box up the stairs.”7.7. Elizabeth said to me, “I can teach you to Elizabeth said to me, “I can teach you to

cook.”cook.”20

Answers to Ex 1Answers to Ex 11.1. Rita: I’m tired. I’m going to bed.Rita: I’m tired. I’m going to bed.

Rita said, “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”Rita said, “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”

2. 2. John F. Kennedy: Ask not what your John F. Kennedy: Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.do for your country.John F Kennedy said, “Ask not what your John F Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”do for your country.”

3. 3. The fox: I’m going to eat you.The fox: I’m going to eat you.The hare: You have to catch me first.The hare: You have to catch me first.The fox said, “I’m going to eat you.”The fox said, “I’m going to eat you.”The hare said, “You have to catch me The hare said, “You have to catch me first.”first.” 21

Answers to Ex 2Answers to Ex 21.1. Sara said that she needed some help.Sara said that she needed some help.

2.2. Linda said that she was meeting Paul for Linda said that she was meeting Paul for dinner.dinner.

3.3. Ms Woo said that she had studied in Ms Woo said that she had studied in Manchester.Manchester.

4.4. Haris said that he had forgotten to pay his Haris said that he had forgotten to pay his electric bill.electric bill.

5.5. Tasha said that she was going to fly to Tasha said that she was going to fly to Hawaii for her vacation.Hawaii for her vacation.

6.6. I said that I would carry the box up the I said that I would carry the box up the stairs.stairs.

7.7. Elizabeth said that she could teach me to Elizabeth said that she could teach me to cookcook..

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