REPORTED SPEECH

Reported statements - tense changes

When we report statements that were made in the past, we change the tense of the original (direct) speech

DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED SPEECH TENSE CHANGES

I want to buy it He said (that)... Present Simple becomes Past Simple
He wanted to buy it.
I’m writing a letter He was writing a letter. Present Continuous becomes Past
Continuous
I've come to mend your car He had come to mend my car Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect
I saw your brother He had seen my brother. He Past Simple becomes Past Perfect (but,
saw my brother we need not change the tense if the
order of events is clear)
I was trying to do it He had heen trying to do it Past Continuous becomes Past Perfect
Continuous
I’ll help you He would help me. will becomes would
I can do it. He could do it. can becomes could
I may do it. He might do it may becomes might
I must go. He had to go. must becomes had to
Questions

Direct Questions Reported Questions

General Questions

“Is Mr Smith a doctor?” Mr Smith was a doctor?”

“Is it raining now?” it was raining then.

He asked "Have you finished the poem?" He I had finished the poem.
me, asked
"Did they enjoy the film?" if/whether they had enjoyed the film.
me,
"Will she join us?" she would join us.
May I speak to you after lunch?" he might speak to me after lunch.
Special Questions
“What are you doing now?.” what I was doing then.
"What foreign languages does what foreign languages Peter knew.
Peter know?”
“Whose team lost the the game He asked me, whose team had lost the game the
yesterday?" day before.
He asked
"When will you go to see your when I would go to see my mother.
me,
mother?"
“Where are they now?" where they were then.
Reported Commands and Requests

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

She said “Tell him everything told me to tell him

to me, tomorrow.” everything the
asked me
following day.
“Don’t go to the She ordered me
not to go to the
cinema today.”
cinema that day.
“Please help him.” to help him.
 Lexical Changes

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

this-these that-those; the
now then
today that day
yesterday the day before
the day before yesterday two days before
tomorrow the next day, the following day
next week (month, year) the following (the next) week.....
last week the previous week (year), a year ( a
week) before
Exercise 1. Put the verbs in brackets into Future Simple, Continuous, Perfect or Future in the Past
Simple, Continuous, Perfect.
1. He says he (to phone)(will be phoning) me in two days. 2. He said he (to phone) ) (would be
phoning) me in two days. 3. She says she (to arrive)(will arrive) at six. 4. She said she (to arrive)(would
arrive) at six. 5. I think they (to work)(will be working) from two till seven on Friday. 6. I thought they (to
work)(would be working) from two till seven on Friday. 7. He is sure he (to finish)(will have finished)
translating by the evening. 8. He was sure he (to finish)(would have finished) translating by the evening. 9.
We suppose Beth (to play)(will play) the piano at six. 10. They were sure (to arrive)(would be arriving) by
nine o’clock. 11. She understood she never (to forget)(would forget) him. 12. We believe we (to pass)(will
pass) our exam. 13. I heard Nick (to return)(would have returned) by Sunday. 14. We knew he (to bring)(will
bring) good music. 15. I am sure he (to help)(will help) to get the party ready. 16. She supposed she (not to
wait)(would not wait) him after work. 17. I hope you (not to jump)(will not jump) to conclusions. 18. We
were sure our child (to sleep)(would sleep) at ten o’clock. 19. My brother was sure his wife (to cook)(would
have cooked) dinner by his coming. 20. She was afraid her son (not to remember)(would not have
remembered) about her.

Exercise 2. Use any appropriate tense for the verbs in brackets

1. Her brother said he never (to see)(saw) this film before. 2. He came home and listened: his son (to
play)(has palyed) the piano. 3. They didn’t worry too much because they (to lock)(locked) the door. 4. I
asked her when she (to give)(will give) me the book. 5. We wanted to know if they (to enjoy)(enjoyed) the
meal. 6. She supposed she (to like)(would like) the hotel. 7. He wanted to know if the station (to be)(is)
away. 8. I hear you already (to find)(have found) a new job. 9. My doctor thinks I (to be)(am) allergic to
pineapples. 10. Andy said he just (to buy)(has bought) a new car.
Exercise 3. Use any appropriate tense for the verbs in brackets
1. When I opened the window, I saw the sun (shine). 2. We are sure Simon (marry)(would ьmarry) her
some time later. 3. He can’t remember where he (put) his glasses. 4. George thought the restaurant (be)
(would be) expensive. 5. She was disappointed that she (not, get)(doesn`t get) the job. 6. I didn’t understand
why they (destroy)(destroyed) their relationship. 7. He is not sure they (find)(will fiand) their way in the
darkness. 8. Jane asked me if I (invite)(would invite) Ann to the party. 9. People say that he always (be)(was)
very rich. 10. Bill said he (feel)(felt) ill.
Exercise 4. Put the imperative sentences into indirect speech
1. “Give me a cap of tea, please”, said my mother to me.(Mother said that he gave her cap of tea)
2. “Don’t ask me such stupid questions”, said Susan to him.(Susan said that he didn’t asked stupid questions)
3. “Don’t make so much noise”, said mother to the children.(Mother said that they didn’t make much noise)
4. He said to me: “Turn the sound down”.(Boy said that I turned the sound down) 5. “Give us a drive,
please”, they asked him.(They said that he gave them drive) 6. Marry told me: “Don’t be frightened”(Marry
told that I wasn`t frightened). 7. “Don’t tell her the truth”, said they to him.(They said that he didn`t tell her
the truth)
Exercise 5. Rewrite the sentences in reported speech.
1. “I’ll come and see you on Friday if that’s all right”. (She said).(She said that she would come and
see him on Friday) 2. “The conference will be spending a considerable time discussing the word debt crisis”
(The statement said).( The statement said that the conference would be spending a considerable time
discussing the word debt crisis) 3. “The shop’s closing in half an hour”. (She explained).(She explained that
shop`s closed in half an hour ) 4. “He’s planning to set up his own business”. (Gareth tells me).( Gareth tells
me that he`s planning to set up his own business) 5. “We’re going to have to make quite a few cutbacks”.
(The managing director said).( The managing director said that they were going to have to make quite a few
cutbacks) 6. “The police have been investigating new allegation of fraud”. (A spokesperson said).( A
spokesperson said Police are investigating a new fraud charge) 7. “When the project first started, there was a
lot of interest in it”. (She explained).(She explained there was a lot of interest in project) 8. “It’s pouring with
rain down here”. (She told me). (She told me it`s pourned with rain down here) 9. “I’ll have finished writing
a report by the time you get here”. (She promised me). (She promised me she would have been finished
writing a report by the time you get here ) 10. “My new computer has made a lot of difference to me”. (She
says). (She says her new computer has made a lot of difference to me)(?)
Exercise 6. All of the sentences below contain a mistake. Find and correct them
1. I’m living at 3375 Grand Avenue since last September.(have lived) 2. I have been in New York city
two weeks ago.(were) 3. My country have change its capital city five times.(was changed) 4. Dormitory life
is not quiet. Everyone shouted and make a lot of noise in the halls.(shouts and makes) 5. My friends will
meet when I will arrive at the airport.(will have met when I arrive) 6. Hasn’t(hadn`t told) anyone ever tell
you to knock the door before you enter someone else’s room? Didn’t your parents taught you to do that? 7.
When I was a child, I viewed(at) thing from a much lower height. Many physical objects around me appear
very large. When I want to move something such as a chair, I need help. 8. I will intend to go back home,
when I will(без will) finish(ed) my education. 9. The phone (had)rung while I doing the dishes. I dry(ed) my
hands and answer it. When I hear(heard) my husband voice, I (was)very happy. 10. I’m(was) in the USA for
the last two months. During that time, I have done(was doing) many things and saw many places. 11. When
the old man started to walk back to his cave, the sun has(had) already hided itself behind the mountain. 12.
While I am writing the(без the) composition last night, someone knocks on the door.
Exercise 7. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.
1. I asked the old gentleman, "Are you feeling tired?"( I asked the old gentleman he felt tired) 2. The
hotel manager asked the visitors, "Did you sleep well?"( The hotel manager asked the visitors dsd they sleep
well) 3. He asked his wife, "Is the baby asleep or awake?"( He asked his wife was baby asleep or awake) 4.
The teacher asked Tom, "Do you come to school by bus or on foot?"(did he came to scholl by bus or on foot)
5. A man stopped me in the street and asked, "Have you got a match?"(had I get a match) 6. The teacher
asked us, "Do you understand the question or not?"( did we understand the question or not) 7. Henry's father
asked his son, "Do you want to be an engineer or a doctor?"( did he want to be an engineer or a doctor ) 8. I
asked Peter, "Are you going to play football on Friday or on Saturday?"(would he go to play football on
Friday or on Saturday) 9. The teacher asked me, "Do you spell "swimming" with one "m" or a double "m"?
(did I spell "swimming" with one "m" or a double "m") 10. He asked his secretary, "Has the postman been
yet?"(had the postman been yet?) 11. Father said to Jane: "Show me your exercise-book."(she showed her
father her exercise-book) 12. "What are you doing here, boys?" said Kate. (boys were do something there)13.
"Don't make noise," said Tom's mother to him.(he didn`t make noise) 14. Helen said to Pete: "Did you play
chess with your father yesterday?" (did he play with your father yesterday)15. Kate said to her grandmother:
"Help me to cook the soup, please."(did she help her with cook) 16. Mike said to the teacher: "My sister
knows two foreign languages."(his sister knew two foreign languages) 17. "What have you prepared for
today, children?" said the teacher.(teacher saked children what they prepared for today) 18. Tom said to his
sister: "I saw your friend at the library yesterday."(he saw her friend at the library yesterday ) 19. The teacher
said to the pupils: "Don't open your books."(they didn`t open their books) 20. Mother said to me: "You will
go to the cinema tomorrow.”(I would go to the cinema tomorrow)
Exercise 8. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.
1. І said to Jack, "Please give me your dictionary." (he gave me his dictionary )2. The bus-conductor
said to the passengers, "Don't get off the bus while it is going."(they didn`t get off the bus while it is going)
3. Mary said to her brother, "Take the letter to the Post Office, please."(he took the letter to the Post Office)
4. The teacher said to Tom, "Collect the exercise-books and put them on my table."(he collected the exercise-
books and put them on my table) 5. The old man said to the little girl, "Don't run across the street." (she
didn`t run across the street) 6. The teacher said to the pupils, "Learn the poem by heart."(they learned the
poem by heart) 7. I said to my friend, "Meet me outside the cinema at six o'clock." (they met me outside the
cinema at six o'clock)8. Mary's mother said to her, "Don't go out without your coat."(she didn`t go out
without your coat ) 9. The teacher said to the students, "Open your books at page 60."(they opened their
books at page 60) 10. The doctor said to the sick man, "Don't go back to work for a fortnight."(he didn`t go
back to work for a fortnight ) 11. Jack said to the policeman, "Tell me the time, please."(he told the time) 12.
The teacher said to the student, "Clean the blackboard, please."(they cleaned the blackboard) 13. "Why did
our team lose the game?" said Vera.(why her team lost the game) "It has always been very strong." 14.
"Where have you put my book, Mary?" said Tom. "I cannot find it.(Marry put his book) 15. "I am very
happy," said Fred. "I have bought a very good bicycle.(he had bouht a very good bicycle) 16. "Whom are
you waiting for, boys?" asked the man.( who we are waiting for) 17. "I shall not go to the party tomorrow
because I don't feel well," said Mary.(she felt bad) 18. "We saw a lot of places of interest when we were
travelling around Europe last summer," said Walter.(they saw lot of places of interest when they were
travelling around Europe last summer ) 19. "I suppose we shall go to the theatre tomorrow," said Jane.(they
would go to the theatre) 20. "Please don't take the books from my table," said Lena to me. "I have specially
prepared them for working at my report."(I didn`t take her books)

Exercise 9. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

1. Jack told his father, "I have lost my notebook."(he lost his notebook) 2. Henry said to me, "I didn't
throw stones at your dog."( I didn't throw stones at your dog) 3. Bob said to Tom, "Henry doesn't sit next to
me in class."(Henry didn`t sit…) 4. I told the policeman, "I saw the thief in the garden."(I saw…) 5. He said,
"I have eaten nothing for two days."(he had eaten…) 6. Jack's father said to him, "You haven't cleaned your
shoes."(he had`t cleaned…)7. Mary said, "I don't want to wear my old dress."(she didn`t want to…) 8. My
mother said to me, "I feel very tired, and I have a headache." (she felt very tires…)9. My friend told me, "We
have plenty of time to do our work."(we had done….) 10. I said to my sister, "George has written me a long
letter."(George had written…) 11. "Will the teacher return our exercise-books today?" asked Nick. (teacher
would return…)12." My nephew is a very capable young man," said the woman. "He has just graduated from
college, but he is already a very skilful specialist.(her nephew was graduated from college, but he is already a
very skilful specialist ) 13. "Sit still and don't move your head," said the doctor to me.(I didn`t move my
head…) 14. "I want to know how your cousin likes working at this hospital," said Vera to Helen.(she wnt to
know how Helen cousin liked working…) 15. "Don't forget to bring your exercise-books tomorrow," said the
teacher to us. "You are going to write a very important paper."(we were go to write…) 16. "How can I get to
the circus?" asked the girl. – "Take tram number five," said the man.(girl asked how she can got… man said
she toke tram ….) 17. "I am very sorry, Kate," said Mike, "I have forgotten to bring your dictionary."(he had
forgotten…) 18. "When does your mother go shopping?" asked the neighbour.(when did her mother go) 19.
"Do you know where the Browns live?" we asked a passer-by.(did he know where…) 20. "There are a lot of
trains to my station on Sunday," said Andrew to us. "You will have no problems getting to my country-
place."(we would not have a problem)
Exercise 10. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.
1. "We have a lift but very often it doesn't work," they said. (they had a lift…) 2. "We have moved
into our new flat. We don't like it nearly so much as our last one," said my aunt.(they had moved…) 3.
"Nothing grew in my garden. It never gets any sun" she said.( Nothing grows in my garden. It never gets any
sun) 4. "I've been in London for a month but so far I haven't had time to visit the Tower," he said.(he had
benn in London…) 5. He said: "My wife has just been made a judge."(his wife had just…) 6. "Who put salt
in my coffee?" he asked.(he said someone put salt…) 7. "Why did you travel first class?" I asked him.(he
traveled first class) 8. "What else did you see?" I asked the boy.(boy saw something else) 9. "What is your
new house like?" I asked them.(I asked him what is his new houose like) 10. "Did they understand what you
said to them?" he inquired. (he asked he that did they ….)11. "Haven't you got a television set?" he asked.
( he inquired had they got a television set) 12. "When you don't like a film, do you stay to the end or walk out
in the middle?" she asked.(she inquired did he stay to he end….) 13. "Don't argue with your father," I said.(I
told he didn`t argue…) 14. "Wait for me at the bridge," said the young man. (told that I wait from him)15.
"Don't make a sound," he said in a whisper.(?) 16. "Don't go near the water, children," she said.(they didn`t
go…) 17. "Don't forget your sandwiches," said his mother.(he didn`t forget…) 18. "Please don't say anything
to make her angry," said my father.(I didn`t say anything…) 19. "Please don't leave the gate open," the
farmer said to visitors.(they didn`t leave the gate open) 20. "Don't climb that tree in your new trousers,
Richard," his father said.(Richard didn`t climb that tree)
Exercise 11. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.
1. Не said: "I haven't yet seen the film you are talking about."(he hadn`t yet seen…) 2. He said: "I
seldom went to see my friend in May as I was very busy."(he seldom went to see his friend…) 3. My friend
said: "We arrived in Kiev on Saturday and the next day we went to have a look around the city." (they arrived
in Kiev) 4. She said to me: "Did you live in Kharkiv ten years ago?"(did I live in Kharkiv) 5. She said to me:
"Were you present at the meeting yesterday?"(was I at the meeting ) 6. She said to me: "Are you going to
leave Donetsk for the summer?"(where was I go for the summer) 7. My friend said to me: "The discussion
will still be going on when you return."(discussion would be going on…) 8. He said: "I am proud of my
brother who took the first prize at the competition."(he was proud of his brother…) 9. He said to me: "Come
at nine o'clock, I shall be free at that time and we shall have a nice cup of coffee." (I came at nine o`clock) 10.
Nina asked her friend: "What did the professor speak about in his lecture?". (she inquired what professor had
spoken…)11. Ann said: "He is one of the best speakers I have ever heard."(he was one of the….) 12. She
asked me: "How long have you been living in Lviv?"(she inquired me how long I had been living,,,) 13. She
said: "He has just left."(he had left) 14. He asked me: "When will your parents arrive in Kiev?"(he inquired
when my perents would arrived) 15. She asked her brother: "Will you manage to get tickets to the
Philharmonic on Sunday?"(would her brother managed…) 16. "I shall buy some new stamps for you if you
give me this one," said Mike to Kate.(he would buy…) 17. "Will you bring your sister to the party with you,
Boris?" asked Mary.(mary inquired would Boris bring his sister…)18. "Please don't touch me," he said to
me.(I didn`t touch he(?)) 19. My father said: "I think I shall not go to the beach with you today because I am
very busy.(he would not go…) 20. "I am very thirsty. Please give me some lemonade, Ann," said Tom.(she
gave him a lemonade)
Exercise 12. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.
1. John said, "I love this town."(he loved this town) 2. "Do you like soccer?" he asked me.(did she
liked soccer) 3. "I can't drive a lorry," he said.(he couldn`t…) 4. "Be nice to your brother," he said.(I was
nice to my brother) 5. "Don't be nasty," he said.(he requested me didn`t be nasty) 6. "Don't waste your
money" she said.(she requested didn`t waste my money ) 7. "What have you decided to do?" she asked him.
(what was he decicded to do) 8. I always wake up early," he said.(he always woke up) 9. "You should revise
your lessons," he said.(he requested you would revise…) 10. "Where have you been?" he asked me.(where I
had been) 11. He said, “I have got a toothache”.(he had got a toothache) 12. Manu said, “I am very busy
now”.(he was very busy) 13. “Hurry up,” she said to us.(we were gurry up) 14. “Give me a cup of water,” he
told her.(she gave him a cup of water) 15. She said, “I am going to college.”(was going to college) 16. She
said to me, “Thank you”( she was grateful to me) 17. Raju said, “Gautam must go tomorrow”.(would to go)
18. Geetha says, “My father is an Engineer.”(her father is an engineer) 19. He said, “I have passed the
physical test.”(he had passed the…) 20. She said to me, “You are my only friend.”(I was her only friend) 21.
‘I love you,’ he told me.(he loved her) 22. ‘Where are you going?’ James asked Mary.(where she was going)
23. Christopher: "Do you want to dance?"(ask do I wanna dance) 24. Betty: "When did you come?"(ask
when did I come) 25. Mark: "Has John arrived?"(ask has John arrived) 26. Ronald: "Where does Maria park
her car?"(ask where she park her car) 27. Elisabeth: "Did you watch the latest film?"(ask did I watch the
latest film) 28. Andrew: "Will Mandy have lunch with Sue?"(ask will mandy have lunch) 29. Justin: "What
are you doing?" (say what are you doing)30. Frank: "How much pocket money does Lisa get?"(?)
Exercise 13. Change the following sentences into direct speech.
1. The farmer said that he hadn't grown any wheat since 1975.( "I haven’t grown any wheat since 1975") 2.
The teacher told his students that he was going to give them a test.(I am going to give you test) 3. I told him
that I hadn't seen his brother for a long time.( I haven’t seen your brother a lot of time) 4. Henry told the
teacher that he liked arithmetic, but he didn't like algebra.( i like arothmetic, but don’t like algebra) 5. She
told the grocer that she didn't want any sugar.( i dont want any sugar) 6. We told the teacher that we didn't
understand his question.( We dont understand your question) 7. I told the taxi-driver that he was driving too
fast.(you are driving too fast) 8. She said that her children were playing in the garden.( My children are
playing in the garden) 9. The teacher told his students that he was pleased with their work.( i am pleased) 10.
My sister said that she hadn't got a watch.( i haven’t got a watch) 11. The man told us to have our passports
ready.(get ready your passports) 12. He told us to pass up the gangway.( go into the gangway) 13. He said we
would find our luggage on deck.( You will find your luggages on deck)14. I asked my friend if he would go
down to his cabin or stay up on deck.(will you go to the cabin or stay on deck) 15. He said he was a bad
sailor and could not stay on deck.( i am bad sailor and I can`t stay on deck) 16. We told the porter to take our
luggage to cabin number eight.( take our luggage to cabin number eight) 17. I asked my friend if he often
went to England.( are you often go in england) 18. He said he did not cross the English Channel very often
for it was rough as a rule.( I do not cross the Channel very often for it be as a rule) 19. My friend asked me if
I knew when the boat was due at Southampton.( are you know when the boat was due at Southamnpton) 20. I
asked my friend if he thought it would take us long to get through the customs.( what you thought how long
it will take us you get throught the customs)
Exercise 14. Change the following sentences into direct speech.
1. Mike said he liked Dickens' novels very much.(like Dicken`s novel very much) 2. He told me he
had read "Dombey and Son" the year before.(I have read "Dombey and Son" the year before ) 3. The teacher
said that the pupils would read the text the next day.(Pupils will read the text) 4. She asked me to buy some
bread on my way home.(Can you buy some bread…) 5. Mother told me not to be late for dinner.(Don`t be
late for dinner) 6. I asked Mike if he had "Gulliver's Travels."(Do you have "Gulliver's Travels") 7. Mike
asked me if I had read "Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe.(Do you have read "Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel
Defoe) 8. I asked John if he would be at home at three o'clock.(will you be at home) 9. The teacher asked
who was ill.(Who are ill) 10. Nick asked Pete what he had seen at the museum.(wha have you see at the
museum) 11. Annie said that she had seen the film several months before.(I have senn the film…) 12. Lydia
said she had not seen it yet.(I have not seen it yet) 13. Boris told me that he wanted to make a radio-set.(I
want to make a radio-set) 14. He told me that he had made a radio-set.( I want to make a radio-set) 15. Jack
said that he often went to see Bob.(I often go to see Bob) 16. She said she had seen Mary that day.(I have
senn Mary that day) 17. He told me he had bought a ticket the day before.(I have bought a ticket day before)
18. When I came home, my mother told me that a friend of mine had called on me half an hour before. (Your
friend have called you half an hour before) 19. He said that he studied at Kiev University.(I study at Kiev
University) 20. She said that her brother was playing chess with her grandfather.(My brother is playing chess
with grandfather)
Exercise 15. Change the following sentences into direct speech.
1. Не said that while crossing the English Channel they had stayed on deck all the time. 2. The woman
said she had felt sick while crossing the Channel. 3. She said she was feeling bad that day. 4. Tom said he
would go to see the doctor the next day. 5. He told me he was ill. 6. He told me he had fallen ill. 7. They told
me that Tom had not come to school the day before. 8. I told my sister that she might catch cold. 9. She told
me she had caught cold. 10. The old man told the doctor that he had pain in his right side. 11. He said he had
just been examined by a good doctor. 12. He said he would not come to school until Monday. 13. The man
said he had spent a month at a health-resort. 14. He said that his health had greatly improved since then. 15.
She wondered if I was going to leave Kiev the next day. 16. He told me that he had bought that watch the
day before. 17. Ann said that she had just had a telephone call from home. 18. My neighbour asked me to
leave the key at my sister's. 19. He said he could not understand the rule.

1. he said "while crossing the English Channel We have stayed on deck all the time"
2.The woman said "I have felt sick while crossing the Channel"
3. She said "I`m feel bad today "
4. Tom said "I will go to see the doctor tomorrow "
5. He told me "I`m ill"
6. He told me "I have fallen ill"
7. They told me " Tom have not come to school yesterday"
8. I told my sister "You may catch cold"
9.She told me "I've caught cold"
10.The old man told the doctor "I have pain in my right side"
11. He said " I have just been examined by a good doctor"
12. He said " I will not come to school until Monday"
13. The man said " I have spent a month at a health-resort"
14. He said "my health have greatly improved since now"
15.She said "is you going to leave Kiev the next day?"
16.He told me " I have bought this watch yesterday"
17. Ann said "I have just had a telephone call from home"
18. My neighbour said me "Will you leave the key at my sister's"
19. He said "I do not understand the rule"

Exercise 16. Change the following sentences into direct speech.

 1. Не asked me if I had taken part in the football match. 2. She asked me where I lived. 3. He said that
he had joined a sports society. 4. He told me that he had seen my brother the day before. 5. She asked me
to hurry up as there was little time left before the beginning of the meeting. 6. She asked her friend if the rain
had stopped. 7. He answered that it was still raining. 8. My sister told me that she had found the book I was
looking for. 9. He said that he didn't like the main character of the book but he could not explain why. 10. He
asked his brother what he would do if he did not find the book he needed. 11. I asked my aunt if she was
going to her home town for the holidays. 12. He told me that he hadn't been able to ring me up in time. 13.
He asked his classmates to wait for him. 14. He asked her if anyone else knew about his arrival. 15. I asked
him when he would take his last examination. 16. George said it was very difficult to play that role. 17. He
asked why there were so few people in the street. 18. The man asked the boy if he knew where he lived. 19.
The woman told him not to worry and go home quietly. 20. She said that she would sleep in the open air.

1. He asked, "Did you take part in the foot ball match?"

2.She asked me, "Where do you live?"
3.He said, "I have joined a sports society"
4.He told me, "I saw your brother yesterday"
5. She asked me," Hurry up! There is little time left before the beginning of the meeting."
6. She asked her friend, "Did the rain stop?"
7. He answered, "It is still raining"
8. My sister told me, "I found the book you are loking for"
9. He said, "I don't like the man character of the book, but I can't explsain why.
10. He asked his brother, "What will you do if you don't find the book yoy need?"
11. I asked my aunt, "Are you going to your home town for the holidays?"
12. He told me, "I wasn't able to ring you up in time"
13. He asked hiss classmates, "Wiat for me, please"
14. He asked her, "Does anyone else know about my arrival?"
15. I asked him, "When will you take this your last examination?"
16.George said,"it is very difficult to play this role"
17.He asked,"why here are so few people in the street?"
18. The man asked the boy ,"do you know where you live?"
19. The woman told him,"don't worry and go home quietly"
20. She said, "I will sleep in the open air."
Exercise 17. Change the following dialogues into indirect speech.
WAITER. What will you order?
MAN. Give me the menu, please.
WAITER. Here you are.
MAN. Chicken soup for the first course...
WAITER. For the second course I recommend you to take fried fish. It is very good.
MAN. All right, bring me fried fish.
WAITER. Any vegetables?
MAN. Yes, bring me some potatoes, and then cheese, coffee and fruit.
WAITER Yes, sir.

A man entered a cafe and sat down at a table. A waiter came up to him and asked what he would order. The
man wanted to see the menu. The waiter gave him the menu. Looking through the menu, the man said that he
wanted chicken soup for the first course. As he was not sure what to order for the second course, the waiter
recommended him to take fried fish and added that it was very good. The man agreed. Then the waiter asked
him if he wanted some vegetables, and the man asked for some potatoes. He also ordered cheese, coffee and
fruit.

II.
JANE. May I come in?
КАТЕ Is that you, Jane? Come in! It is very good of you to come and see me.
JANE. I came before, but you were too ill to see anybody. Did you get the flowers?
KATE. Surely, I did. It was very nice of you to send them to me.
JANE. How are you now?
KATE. Oh, I am much better, thank you. The doctor says that I shall be allowed to go out in a few days.
JANE. Do you miss school?
KATE. Very much. I am afraid I'll be lagging behind the group in my lessons now.
JANE. Don't think about it. We shall help you.
KATE. Thank you very much.

Kate was ill and Jane came to see her. She asked if she might come in. Kate recognized Jane and asked her to
come in. She was very glad and said that it was very good of Jane to come and see her. Jane said that she had
come before but Kate had been too ill to see anybody. She wanted to know if Kate had got the flowers. Kate
answered that of course she had and added that it had been very nice of Jane to send them to her. Jane asked
Kate how she was now. Kate thanked her and said that she was much better. She added that the doctor said
that she would be allowed to go out in a few days. Jane wanted to know if Kate missed school. Kate
answered that she missed school very much. She added that she was afraid she would be lagging behind the
group in her lessons now. Jane told her not to think about it and added that they would help her. Kate
thanked her.

III.
PETER. Are you coming my way?
JOHN. Yes, I am. How are you getting along?
PETER. Jolly well. How did you find the last test in geometry?
JOHN. Rather difficult. I am not very good at solving problems.
PETER. Why didn't you ask me to help you? I'll gladly do it.
JOHN. Oh, thanks a lot. I shall. Have you got a lot of home-work for tomorrow?
PETER. Yes. You know the time-table, Friday is always a bad day. We have six lessons tomorrow, and all
the subjects are difficult. Besides, there will be questions from my little sister. She is not very good at sums.
JOHN. All right, then. I’ll come to your place tomorrow evening, if you don't mind.
PETER. Let's make it tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you.

Peter and John were classmates. One day they were going from school together. John asked Peter how he
was getting along. Peter said that he was all right. He asked John what he thought about the last test in
geometry. John said that he had found it rather difficult and added that he was not very good at solving
problems. Peter wondered why John had not asked him to help him and added that he would gladly do it.
John thanked him and said that he would. Then he wanted to know if Peter had a lot of homework for the
next day. Peter answered that he had. He remarked (said) that John knew the timetable and that Friday was
always a bad day. He reminded John that they had six lessons the next day and that all the subjects were
difficult. He added that besides there would be questions from his little sister because she was not very good
at sums. John agreed and said that he would come to Peter's place the next day in the evening, if Peter did not
mind. Peter agreed and suggested making it the next day. He added that he would be waiting for John.

IV.
MOTHER. Nick! Do you hear the alarm-clock? Wake up!
NICK. Oh, I am so sleepy!
MOTHER Well, that's what you always say. Now, get out of bed quickly!
NICK. Oh!
MOTHER. Be quick, or you will be late for school.
NICK. No fear. I have a lot of time.
MOTHER. You forget that you have to brush your teeth and to wash your hands and face.
NICK. Mummy, I remember everything.

It was morning. Nick's mother woke him up. She asked him if he heard the alarm clock. Nick did not want to
get up. He said that he was very sleepy. His mother remarked (said) that Nick always said it. She told him to
get out of bed quickly. Nick moaned. His mother told him again to be quick. She added that he would be late
for school if he was not quick. Nick told his mother that it was all right and added that he had a lot of time.
Nick's mother reminded him that he had to brush his teeth and to wash his hands and face. Nick answered
that he remembered everything.