CB Grammar and Vocabulary For FCE

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1 5 Reported speech

Grammar
n Tense changes in reported speech
When we report what someone else said, we are usually reporting at a later time so we
change the tenses used by the original speaker.

Direct speech Reported speech

present simple past simple


'I'm (am) about 100 km from Australia: He said (that) he was about 100 km from Australia.

present continuous past continuous


'The sun's (is) shining: He said (that) the sun was shining

past simple past perfect


'There was a terrible storm: He said (that) there had been a terrible storm.

present perfect past perfect


'I haven't (have not) seen another boat: He said (that) he hadn't (had not) seen another boat.

past perfect past perfect


'I hadn't (had not) expected the storm! He said (that) he hadn't (had not) expected the storm.

am/Is/are going to was/were going to


'I'm (am) going to win.' He said (that) he was going to win.

will future would


'I'll (will) spend two hours in a bath: He said (that) he'd (would) spend two hours in a bath.

can could
'I can see sharks and dolphins: He said (that) he could see sharks and dolphins.

may might
'I may win: He said (that) he might win.

might might
'I might win: He said (that) he might win.

must had to
'I must get my hair cut: He said (that) he had to get his hair cut.

A The following verbs do not change when they are reported at a later time
could, would, should, might, ought to, used wand verbs in the past perfect
You ought to buy a new coat in the sale. My mum said I ought to buy a new coat in the sale.
They used to live in California. —0 He said they used to five in California.
When we report must, we can use either must or had to in the reported speech but had to is more common:
Kate must buy some fruit' '"4 Kate said she had to / must buy some fruit
A We use must, not had to, when we report:
a negative:
Paul: 'You mustn't tell Sally our secret' —o Paul said we mustn't tell Sally our secret
a deduction:
Sarah: must be tired after the flight' —0 Sarah said Jim must be tired after the flight

1a3
Reported speech 15
u Reporting in the same tense
If the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g. says), we use the same tenses as the original speaker:
Amy 'I've missed the bus so I'll be a bit late—,Amy says she's missed the bus so shell be a bit late.
lithe reporting verb is in the past (e.g. said), we sometimes use the same tenses as the original speaker if the
situation is still true:
Robert: 'I have three sister?
Robert said he has three sisters. or Robert said he had three sisters.
Carlo: 'I'm getting married in June:
If we report what Carlo said before June we can say
—0 Carlo said he is getting married in June. or Carlo said he was getting married in June.
A But if we report after June, we must change the tense
Carlo said he was getting married in June.

111 Verbs for reporting

We often use say and tell to report what somebody said:


With say, we must use to if we mention the person spoken to:
He said to me (that) he was going to win. (not I k St1;ci me)
Tell is always used without to, and it must be followed by the person spoken to:
He told them (that) he was going to win. (not Ile tad hi tl,c,tt / I k odd Unit)
A With say and tell, we usually omit that, especially in spoken English.
We can use other reporting verbs instead of say and tell. Some verbs are like tell:
He reminded me (that) it was his birthday.
She persuaded me (that) I should buy a different car.
He informed me (that) he had a new job.
They warned us (that) the bridge was in a dangerous condition.
Some verbs are nearly always followed by that and we use to il mentioning the person spoken to:
Imentioned (to my uncle) that Nicholas had found a new job.
The attendant pointed out that the pool would be closed on Saturday.
She complained (to the waiter)that the food was cold.
He explained (to us)that volcanic activity often caused earthquakes.
After agree we use with for the person spoken to:
Jack agreed (with me)that the film was brilliant

Jack agreed
with me that the film
was brilliant

Some verbs are nearly always followed by that but do not mention the person spoken to:
He answered that he had already read the report.
She replied that she didn't know my cousin.

109
1 5 Reported speed-

4 Verbs for reporting with to infinitive


We usually report orders and requests by using tell or ask + object + to infinitive
'Be quiet? —k The teacher told us to be quiet. (= an order)
'Don't stay out late: —0 Dad told me not to stay out late. (= an order)
?lease help me!' —k He asked us to help him. (= a request)
'Could you carry my bag. please? —0 She asked me to carry her bag. (a request)
Some other reporting verbs are also used with the to infinitive (> see also Unit 18):
'You should vote for me: —0 He advised us to vote for him.
'We could help you: They offered to help me
'I'll be a good leader: —0 He promised to be a good leader.
'OK. I'll help you do the shopping: —0 He agreed to help me do the shopping

n Reporting questions
Questions are reported using the word order of a statement rather than a question.
Questions with question words (who, what, etc.) keep these words in the reported speech:
'How do you feel?' —s Rachel asked James how he felt (not Iww did feel)
What's the weather like?' —0 She asked (him) what the weather was like. (not whut win the wwthc, 'like)
Yes/no questions are reported with if or whether:
'Can you hear me?' -* Rachel asked James if/whether he could hear her.
'Is the sea calmr —k Rachel wanted to know if/whether the sea was calm.
A We use the same structure when we ask politely for information:
Can you tell me what time the next train leaves?
I'd like to know if there's a flight to Australia next Thursday.

6 References to time, place, etc.

Depending on how close in time we are to the original situation, we often have to change references to time
when we report what someone said:

yesterday —4 the day before / the previous day


today —o that day / the same day
tomorrow the next/following day
next week —0 the next/following week
now 4 (right)then / right away, immediately, etc

We didn't do any work yesterday —0 They admitted that they hadn't done any work the day before
'Will the library be open tomorrow?' —0 She enquired whether the library would be open thefollowing day
'I have to go now or I'll miss my bus: —k He explained that he had to go right then or he'd miss his bus.
Other changes may include
here —0 there
this that/the
'I saw him here yesterday: —k She explained that she had seen him there the day before.
'What's this red box?' —* He wanted to know what the red box was.

'Jo
Grammar exercises
Reported speech 15
El You talk on the phone to a friend, Luke. This is what he says.

1 'I've given up my job:


2 'I can easily find another one:
3 'I'm going to travel round Africa:
4 'I lived there as a child:
5 'I might get a part-time job there:

6 'I'm packing my bag:


7 'I'm really excited:
8 'I'll be away for a year!
9 'I may stay longer:
10 'You could come too:

After your conversation with Luke, you tell another friend what he said. Change the verbs above to
complete the sentences below.

1 He said he hat given up his job

2 He said he
3 He said he
4 He said he
5 He said he
6 He said he
7 He said he
8 He said he
9 He said he
10 He said I

Is it possible to report what Luke said without changing the verbs? Why?

nMatch the beginnings and endings of these sentences.


She told A I could help my neighbour mend his car.
2 My sister asked B whether my sister could give me a lift.
3 I said c me she couldn't afford to come to the theatre.
4 My parents said D to phone home regularly.
5 My teacher advised E to me, 'You shouldn't watch so much TV
6 I wanted to know p if I wanted to go on holiday with her.
7 I told G the dentist that Thursday was the only day I was free.
8 My brother promised H me to revise my work more thoroughly.

In

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