Page 466 - Grammar Explorer 2 - demo

16.6 Reported Speech

Quoted Speech Reported Speech
Reporting
Subject Noun Clause
Verb
Rena said, “Ben likes traveling.” Rena said (that) Ben liked traveling.
Tom said, “Jill’s at home.” Tom said (that) Jill was at home.
Chad asked, “Where is Luz going?” Chad asked where luz was going.

1. You can report what someone says indirectly Harry said that the bus was late.
(i.e., without the exact words) by using a Jim asked what time it was.
reporting verb + a noun clause.
2. If the main verb in quoted speech is in the Julie said, “Running is great exercise.”
present, it usually shifts to the past in reported Julie said that running was great exercise.
speech.*
3. Personal pronouns and possessive adjectives** Joe: “I don’t see your map.”
often need to change in reported speech. Joe said he didn’t see my map.
4. Remember: In conversation and informal He said that the bus is late.
writing, that is often omitted. In academic or He said the bus is late.
formal writing, that is often not omitted. The leader said that schools were important.

*Reported speech is sometimes called indirect speech.
**See Unit 4, pages 90–91 to review personal pronouns and possessive adjectives.

6 Complete the conversations. Change the quoted speech in parentheses to reported
speech. Remember to shift the verbs from present to past, and to change the pronouns and
adjectives as necessary.

1. A: Where is Sam?
B: I don’t know. He said that he was coming .
(“I am coming.”)
2. A: Did you see the professor?

B. Yes. I asked her if .
(“Is the assignment due on Friday?”)

3. A: The weather doesn’t look too good.
B: No, it doesn’t. Chris said that .
(“There’s going to be a storm.”)
4. A: What did you say to Larry on the phone?

B: I asked him what .
(“What are you doing?”)
5. A: Why didn’t Diane help us yesterday?
B: She couldn’t. She said that .
(“I’m too busy.”)
6. A: Did you ask Scott to come to the party?

B: Yes. He said that .
(“I have too much work.”)

446 NouN Clauses aNd RepoRted speeCh
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