Page 55 - PDF_Oxford Grammar for Schools 5_Neat 1

Reported speech

I can report statements and questions.

Reported statements

We can use direct speech or reported speech when we
talk or write about things people said inthe past.

In direct speech we use quotation marks and the exact
words that somebody said. Theatre
Martinsaid, 'I'm sorry I'mlate.Imissedthe bus. Itwon't
happen again.'
Why is your leg i\*> "plaster?
In reported speech we give the meaning of what
the person said, without quotation marks. We use a it's fvot real. I'm,actliÿg li ÿ a play
reporting verb like say (that), tell someone (that), fluvd nÿy character has a broteen Leg
explain (that) or promise (that).
Martinsaidthathe wassorryhe was late. Hehad
missedthe bus. Hepromiseditwouldn't happen again.
We usually change the direct speech one tense back in
reported speech.

See page 189for a summary of changes.

However,we don't have to change the tense when the
reporting is soon after the speaking and the statement
. a ÿ
is still true now.
'What's the matter with Max?' 'He saidhe'shungry.'
(= he's still hungry now)

We also change possessives and pronouns.
Pollysaid, 'Youcanusemy camera to takeaphoto
ofyourself.'
Polly saidthat I coulduseher camera to take a photo
ofmyself.
'Youcan usethese chairs.'
She saidI couldusethose chairs.

Time and place references usually change, too.
Jason said, 7 can meetyou heretomorrow.'
i That's strafe, whetA,jangle asteed Paul
Jasonsaidthathecouldmeet me there the next day.
why his Leg's Ifvplaster, he said that
See page 189 for a summary of changes. he's actliÿg Ifv a play a\A,d his character
has a broken Leg. But yesterday Paul
[ told Cathy he'd brcteeÿ It o ia, holiday.

she would help me. O
1 Complete the sentences with saidor told.

ÿ Julia said 5 They _ him they were coming.
_
1 You you didn't need it. 6 Kim_ that Edward had to go home.
2 Beth and Carla _ me that I'd won a prize. 7 Max. .he couldn't remember.
3 He _ he was sorry. 8 You. Ishould buy it.
_
4 Alice Pete she'd seen Andy.

Unit 9 55