Period 1 3.2 Reported Speech (Questions & Commands)

Theory Behind Reported Speech

Definition:

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to express what someone else has said without quoting them directly. It involves changing the pronouns, verb tenses, and other words as necessary to fit the context of the report.

Key Rules and Changes:

1. Pronoun Changes:

   • The pronouns in the direct speech change to match the perspective of the reporting speaker.
   • Example: “I am happy,” she said. -> She said that she was happy.

2. Verb Tense Changes:

   • In reported speech, the verb tense usually shifts one step back into the past.
   • Present simple -> Past simple: “I work hard,” he said. -> He said that he worked hard.
   • Present continuous -> Past continuous: “I am working,” she said. -> She said that she was working.
   • Present perfect -> Past perfect: “I have finished,” he said. -> He said that he had finished.
   • Simple past -> Past perfect: “I saw the movie,” she said. -> She said that she had seen the movie.
   • Future simple (will) -> Conditional (would): “I will call you,” he said. -> He said that he would call me.

3. Time Expressions:

   • Words indicating time change to reflect the time passed since the original statement.
   • Example: “I will do it tomorrow,” she said. -> She said that she would do it the next day.
   • today -> that day
   • tomorrow -> the next day/the following day
   • yesterday -> the day before/the previous day
   • now -> then
   • next week -> the following week

4. Modal Verbs:

   • Certain modal verbs change in reported speech.
   • can -> could: “I can help you,” he said. -> He said that he could help me.
   • may -> might: “I may go,” she said. -> She said that she might go.
   • must -> had to: “You must finish this,” he said. -> He said that I had to finish it.
   • Note: would, could, should, might, and ought to do not change.

5. No Change Needed:

   • If the reporting verb is in the present, future, or present perfect tense, the tense in the reported clause doesn’t change.
   • Example: He says, “I am tired.” -> He says that he is tired.

6. Questions in Reported Speech:

   • When reporting questions, the subject and verb switch to statement form, and the question mark is removed.
   • Wh- questions: “Where are you going?” she asked. -> She asked where I was going.
   • Yes/no questions: “Are you coming?” he asked. -> He asked if I was coming.

7. Commands and Requests:

   • Reported Questions:

     When reporting questions, the structure of the sentence changes from a question to a statement. The verb tense, pronouns, and time expressions may also need to be adjusted.

     Key Rules:

     1. Wh- Questions:

        • Use the question word (what, where, when, why, how) at the beginning.
        • Change the sentence structure from a question to a statement.
        • Change the verb tense if necessary.

        Example:

        • Direct Speech: “Where are you going?” she asked.
        • Reported Speech: She asked where I was going.

     2. Yes/No Questions:

        • Use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ to introduce the reported question.
        • Change the sentence structure from a question to a statement.
        • Change the verb tense if necessary.

        Example:

        • Direct Speech: “Are you coming to the meeting?” he asked.
        • Reported Speech: He asked if I was coming to the meeting.

     Examples of Changes:

     • Present Simple to Past Simple: “Do you like coffee?” -> He asked if I liked coffee.
     • Present Continuous to Past Continuous: “Is she working on the project?” -> He asked if she was working on the project.
     • Present Perfect to Past Perfect: “Have you finished the report?” -> She asked if I had finished the report.
     • Modal Verbs (can to could, will to would): “Can you help me?” -> He asked if I could help him.

     Reported Commands and Requests:

     When reporting commands and requests, the imperative form of the verb is changed to an infinitive form. The reporting verb (such as told, asked, ordered, advised) introduces the reported command.

     Key Rules:

     1. Commands:

        • Use ‘told’ or ‘ordered’ followed by the person and the infinitive form of the verb.

        Example:

        • Direct Speech: “Close the door,” she said.
        • Reported Speech: She told me to close the door.

     2. Requests:

        • Use ‘asked’ followed by the person and the infinitive form of the verb.

        Example:

        • Direct Speech: “Please send the document,” he requested.
        • Reported Speech: He asked me to send the document.

     Examples of Changes:

     • Imperative to Infinitive: “Finish your work,” he ordered. -> He ordered me to finish my work.
     • Negative Commands: “Don’t be late,” she said. -> She told me not to be late.
     • Polite Requests: “Could you help me?” she asked. -> She asked me to help her.

     Practice Examples:

     Direct Speech:

     1. Question: “Why did you leave the company?” he asked.

        • Reported Speech: He asked why I had left the company.

     2. Question: “Have you seen the latest report?” she asked.

        • Reported Speech: She asked if I had seen the latest report.

     3. Command: “Submit the report by Monday,” the manager said.

        • Reported Speech: The manager told me to submit the report by Monday.

     4. Request: “Please arrange a meeting with the client,” the director requested.

        • Reported Speech: The director asked me to arrange a meeting with the client.

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