Module VII - Reported Speech.

If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

In reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun depending on who says what,  and the time expression.

Example

You must change the tense if the introductory clause is in Simple Past (e. g. He said). 

Example

He said, “I am happy.” – He said that he was happy.

Type	Example
direct speech	“I speak English.”
reported speech	He said that he spoke English.

Questions

                                       

Type		Example
With a question word	direct speech	“Why don’t you speak English?”
	reported speech	He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
without a question word	direct speech	“Do you speak English?”
	reported speech	He asked me whether / if I spoke English.

Requests

Type	Example
direct speech	“Carol, speak English.“
reported speech	He told Carol to speak English.

The exam for module VII will be on May 9th for 3rd ABCD, May 10th for 2nd ABCD and on Friday May 11th for 3rd EFG and 2nd EFG.

Other changes to be considered are in pronouns and time expressions. Also if we are reporting a statement, a question, or a request.

Following is some practice for this topic.

Go here to practice statements with the introductory verb in the past.

Go here to practice reported questions.

Go here and here to practice requests
Go here for a quick test.

Go here to practice so and such.

Last, get one extra credit if you re-write this joke in the "comments" box,  using reported speech.

The doctor to the patient: 'You are very sick' 

The patient to the doctor: 'Can I get a second opinion?' 

The doctor again: 'Yes, you are very ugly too...'