Reported Speech

01.- Turn the following sentences into Reported Speech.

1 “They will have arrived in Bali by now,” he said .(out-of-date reporting)
… He said they would have arrived in Bali by then ….

2 “I’ve always hated the music they play at this disco,” he said: [out-of-date reporting) .

3 “He’ll repair the car next Friday,” she said. (up-to- date reporting) .

4 “I’ll be travelling home this time next week,” she said.
(out-of-date reporting) .

5 “He left last Monday,” she says .

6 “I haven’t decided what type of car I’ll buy,” he said. (up-to-date reporting) .

7 “It’s time we went out,” she said.

8 “The earth is round,” he said

9 “When they were fishing they caught a trout,” he said .

10 “Your reports are all typed up,” the secretary said. (up-to-date reporting) .

11 “Dinosaurs are extinct,” the teacher said .

12 “Paris is a small city,” said Lucy

13 “I’ve been sunbathing all afternoon,” he said. (out-ot-date reporting) .

14 “She looks very pretty today,” said Paul.

15 “If I were you, I’d enter the competition,” he said.

16 “If they had played well, they’d have won,” the coach said

17 “She doesn’t seem to be enjoying herself,” he said. (up-to-date reporting) .

18 “Water freezes at o-c.: the professor said

19 “She ought to see a doctor,”he said

20 “Mum is making a cake now,” said Tom. [out-of-date reporting) .

21 “We went to Australia two years ago,” she said. (out-of-date reporting)

22 “He can’t possibly be serious,” Tim said. (up-to-date reporting)

23 “We were watching television when we heard the news,” her father said .

24 “I am meeting Terry tomorrow,” she said. (up-to-date reporting)

25 “Next time you’ll have to do better than that,” my boss said. (out-of-date reporting)

02.- Turn the following sentences into Reported Speech.

1 “Will you take the dog out for a walk?” he asked me
…He asked me if/whether I wouid take the dog out for a walk… .

2 “How much money have you got?” he asked me .

3 “Did you really write this poem?” she asked Tim .

4 “How did the operation go?” they asked the doctor .

5 “Will you be going on holiday next Easter?” he asked her .

6 “Is that your daughter walking along the pier, Mary?” Joan asked.

7 “Why is he acting this way?” she asked me .

8 “Can you let Joan know I’ll be late?” she asked me.

9 “Which of these dresses suits me best?” she asked Lynn .

10 “Does this bicycle belong to anyone?” he asked , .

11 “Who used my toothbrush?” he asked .

12 “Do you want to join us at 6.00?” he asked me .

13 “Why didn’t you tell me about the party?” he asked me .

14 “Have you been to York before?” she asked Sue .



03.- Turn the following sentences into Indirect questions. Omit question marks where necessary.

1 Where are you going? (I want to know … )
…I want to know where you are going ….

2 Did he steal the money? (I doubted ) .

3 Has she told anyone about our engagement? (He wondered ) .

4 What time does the train leave? (Could you tell me ) .

5 Who did it? ( She wondered ) . .

6 Where have you been? (He wanted to know ) .

7 Does he speak French fluently? (I wonder ) .

8 Will she be on time? (I doubt ) . .

9 How long has he been working here? (Do you know ) .

10 Are they moving house? (I want to know ) .

04.- Turn the following sentences from Direct to Reported Speech.

1 “Put out your cigarettes please!” he said to us
…He asked us to put out our cigarettes ……

2 “Wipe your feet on the mat!” mother said .

3 “Please forgive me!” she said. . .

4 “Could you babysit for me tonight?” he said to me

5 “You shouldn’t eat so much meat,” she said to me .

6 “Be here on time in future,” Tom’s boss said .

7 “Could you pass me the salt?” Barry said to her. .

8 “Let’s buy some new curtains!” Sally said .

9 “You’d better go to bed early,” Henry said .

10 “Don’t be horrible to your little sister!” his father said .

05.- Turn the following sentences into Reported Speech.

1 She said, “You needn’t pay until Christmas.”
…She said (that) I wouidn’t have to pay untii Christmas ….

2 She said, “When shall we let them know?” .

3 She said, “Shall I carry your suitcase?” .

4 She said, “I can’t play chess very well.” .. .

5 She said, “We must finish the work today.” .

6 She said, “You needn’t wear formal clothes.” .

7 She said, “You should take more exercise.” .

8 She said, “Shall I get you an aspirin?” .

9 She said, “Tony must have missed his bus.” .

10 She said, “We’ll go to the zoo tomorrow.” .

11 She said, “I may take up skiing.” .

12 She said, “What shall I buy him for his birthday?” .

13 She said, “They won’t arrive on time.” .

14 She said, “They needn’t be at the meeting next week.”

06.- First write an appropriate introductory verb, then report the following sentences.

1 “I’ll be home early.”
…He promised to be home early…

2 “Press the button first.”

3 “I didn’t copy John’s work.”

4 “He never tells the truth.”

5 “I’m so good at maths.”

6 “She’s so beautiful!”

7 “Peter is unable to attend the meeting tomorrow.”

8 “No, I won’t tell you what happened.”

9 “I think you should go home.”

10 “That’s how you fix it.”

11 “You really ought to go home.”

12 “This is how I began my career.”

13 “Yes, I told them everything.”

14 “I’m sorry I shouted.”

15 “You lied to me.”

16 “I’d like you to carry the bag.”

17 “Don’t forget to ask Janet.”

18 “Don’t touch this wire.”

19 “You may go now.”

20 “Come on, try it again!”

21 “She really must attend more frequently.”

22 “Would you like to go to the theatre?”

23 “You mustn’t talk during the exam.”

24 “Go ahead, enter the race!”

25 “Run immediately!”

26 “Please, please tell me the truth!”

27 “James never told me he was working undercover.”

28 “You can take my car.”

29 “I won’t do it again.”

30 “Give me the money or I’ll shoot you.”

31 “Would you like me to help?”

32 “Give me everything.”

33 “I’m sorry I was late.”

34 “Yes, he is very handsome.”

35 “I know that musician well.”

36 “Please, explain once more.”

37 “You are never on time.”

07.- Turn the following conversations into Reported Speech using special introductory verbs.

A
“Carter, when are you taking your holidays this year?” said the manager.

“Actually, I’ve already been on holiday, sir. Don’t you remember? I went on safari in Kenya,” said Carter.

“Oh yes, of course. You went in March, didn’t you?” “That’s correct, sir,” said Carter.

“Did you enjoy it?” the manager asked.

“Well, I didn’t manage to see many animals. It was very disappointing,” Carter replied.

“Have you got any plans to go back there?” the manager said.

“Well, yes, actually I’ve already booked tickets for next year. I’m going in February. I think it will be a better time for seeing the animals,” said Carter.

“So, we’ll be looking for a new accountant then, if you come face to face with a lion,” said the manager .

… The manager asked Carter when he was taking his holidays that year . …

B
“Let’s spend the weekend in Scotland,” said Andrea. “We can find a cheap bed and breakfast in the Highlands.”

“And just what are we going to do all weekend with nothing but sheep for company!” Cathy said.

“I’ll teach you to ski,” said Andrea .

… Andrea suggested spending ” . …

C
“James, have you written to the University of Madrid yet?” Mr Mills said.

“No, I’m sorry,” said James. “I haven’t had time.”

“There’s no point in apologising to me, James,” said Mr Mills. “You see, you must apply early because they fill their places very quickly.”

“The thing is that I’m afraid I won’t pass my Spanish exam,” said James.

“Well, have you been working hard?” said Mr Mills.

“Yes, I have,” said James, “but I’m much better at French, and I had hoped to apply to Paris.”

“Yes, it’s true you are better at French,” said Mr Mills. “If I put your name down for the Sorbonne, will you write tonight?”

“Yes sir, I’ll write as soon as I get home,” James promised .

… Mr Mills asked James if he… .

08.- Rewrite the following as a conversation. Mind the punctuation.

A
Stephen denied having got them lost and refused to take responsibility for their situation, Catherine accused him of not knowing how to read a map, and threatened to leave him if he didn’t get them out of the mess, Stephen complained that she always made him do all the work, Catherine apologised for not helping but begged him to do something, adding that she didn’t want to spend the night in the open, Stephen promised that they would find somewhere to stay, and urged her to keep calm, He eventually asked her to help him with the map reading. She laughed and suggested that perhaps he should try holding the map the right way up.

…”It’s not my fault we got lost”, Stephen said…

B
The diver boasted about having found a shipwreck full of treasure on the ocean floor. His friend accused him of lying as that part of the sea had been explored thoroughly, yet the diver still insisted, claiming that only he had searched that particular area. Then his friend went on to tell him that if that was the case, he should notify the authorities as soon as possible in order to lay claim to the treasure. She warned him that if he failed to do this someone else might claim the treasure for themselves. It was at this stage that the diver admitted that the wreck wasn’t that old and that the treasure consisted of Monopoly money!

…”I have found…

09.- Rewrite the following sentences using the words in brackets.

1 “I would eat only the fish,” he said. (suggest)
…He suggested that I (should) eat only the fish …..

2 “Let’s go to the beach,” he said. (propose) .

3 “Why not paint the room blue?” said Dad. (recommend) .

4 “Please bring me a cup of tea,” she said. (request) .

5 “You must do your homework,” said Mr Smith. (insist) .

10.- Turn the following dialogue into Reported Speech.

Joan: Mmm, I’m reaily going to enjoy this sandwich. I’m so hungry. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. Are you sure you don’t want anything?

Geoffrey: Yes. I’ve eaten too much already today. I can’t eat
another thing.

Joan: Why not just have a glass of milk then?

Geoffrey: Good idea.

Joan: I really enjoyed the visit to the aquarium this morning. What shail we do this afternoon?

Geoffrey: Let’s go to the folk museum. It looks very interesting.

Joan: Yes, but don’t forget we have to be back at the hotel by six.

Geoffrey: We definitely have enough time, don’t worry.

Joan: Oh nol I can’t find my purse. I must have dropped it in the car park.

Geoffrey: I’ll go back and look for it if you like .

… Joan said that she was going to enjoy her sandwich because …

11.- Turn the following sentences into Reported Speech using special introductory verbs.

1 “Don’t go near the bull.”
…She warned me not to go near the bull… .

2 “What a brilliant idea!”

3 ”I’ll definitely take you to the park tomorrow.”

4 “Let’s have the wedding in the spring.”

5 “Please, please don’t tell my father what happened.”

6 “You are always late.”

7 “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.”

8 “You switched the reports, didn’t you?”

9 “No, I won’t lend you the money.”

10 “You can’t go to the party tonight.”

11 “Shall I hang out the washing?”

12 “Don’t forget to send Mum a birthday card.”

13 “This is how you switch on the machine.”

14 “I’m the best tennis player in the club.”

15 “Go ahead, propose to her.”

12.- Turn the following text into Direct Speech.

Daniel asked the bank manager for a loan. The bank manager asked him exactly what he wanted the money for. Daniel explained that he wanted to set up his own cleaning business. The bank manager agreed that it was a good idea but urged him to be very careful before investing a lot of money. Daniel admitted that he’d never had his own business before. The bank manager apologised for being unable to promise Daniel a loan immediately. He suggested that Daniel write a business plan and come back in a week. Daniel agreed to return the following Thursday .

… “I was wondering jf it was possible for me to apply for a loan,” Daniel said to the bank manager …

13.- Rewrite the following sentences in Reported Speech.

1 “I’m learning French,” he said. “I’m going to Paris for my holidays.”

… He said he was learning French, adding that he was going to Paris for his holidays ….

. 2 “Can you fake the dog for a walk?” he said to her. “I’m busy.” .

3 “You shouldn’t smoke,” she said. “It’s bad for your health.” .

4 “Can I borrow your pen, please?” he said to her. “I need to write something.” .

5 “Please don’t talk,” said the teacher. “This is a test.” .

6 “Why don’t you turn off the TV?” she said to him. “You aren’t watching it.” .

7 “Come to our house tonight, Mary,” he said. “Jim wants to see you.” .

8 “Have you read your newspaper?” he asked her. “I want to look at it.” .

9 “The baby should be asleep,” she said. “It’s ten o’clock.” .

10 “I don’t want any more cake,” she said. “I’ve had enough.” . .

11 “Don’t play near the road,” their mother said. “It’s too dangerous.” .

12 “I like Susan,” he said. “She’s very friendly.” .

13 “I’m teaching Jane’s class,” she said. “She’s on holiday this week.” .

14 “Sarah would like to have the house,” he said. “She’s lived here a long time.” .

15 “You could become famous, June,” he said. “You’re a very good singer.” .

16 “Are you going to take the job?” he asked her. “Or will you wait for a better one?” .

17 “Can you phone Julie?” she asked me. “I heard she has had a fight with Mark.” .

18 “Do you know when May will be back?” she asked. “She’s been away all week.” .

19 “Do you think we should try this new restaurant tonight?” he asked his wife. “I’ve heard it’s very good.” .

20 “If anyone phones,” she said, “tell them I won’t be here until tomorrow.” .

21 “I’d love to go to Venice,” she said. “I’ve never been there.” .

22 “Don’t ask Simon how to use the computer,” she said. “He doesn’t know a thing about them.” .

23 “I must go now,” said Samantha, “or I might miss the bus.” .

24 “I’m sorry I didn’t phone you yesterday,” said Charlotte. “I had to visit my aunt.” .

14.- Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words.

1 “You should go to the dentist Tina,” he said.

advised
He … advised Tina to go … to the dentist.

2 “Try to remember your books tomorrow,” she said.

urged She ………….. our books the next day.

3 “You took my pencil!” Mark said to Mandy.

of
Mark …………………………………………….his pencil.

4 “Don’t forget to take your keys,” said Dad.

me
Dad ………………………………………….my keys.

5 “I hate the English weather,” said Celine.

about
Celine ……………………………….the English weather.

6 “You must have another piece of apple pie, Laura,” said Grandad.

on
Grandad ………………………………….piece of apple pie.

7 “I’ll never let you down,” Ian told Elizabeth.

promised
Ian …………………………………………. Elizabeth down.

8 “You never put the cap on the toothpaste, John,” said Mary.

complained
Mary ……………………………the cap on the toothpaste.

9 “I’m the best-looking boy in the class,” said Greg.

that
Greg ……………………………the best-looking boy in the class.

10 “Would you like to come to lunch next Friday?” Bill said to me.

invited
Bill ………………………………..the tollowing Friday.

11 “I did not eat the biscuits,” said Alex.

eating
Alex …………………………………………the biscuits.

12 “Let’s go out for dinner,” said Amanda.

going
Amanda ………………………………………for dinner.

13 “You must not touch these ornaments,” said Lisa to us.

to
Lisa ……………………………………………the ornaments.

14 “He knows where the stolen paintings are,” said Sue.

claimed
Sue ………………………………..the stolen paintings were.

15 “You may now kiss the bride,” said the priest to David.

permission
The priest …………………………………the bride.

16 “Don’t drive the car; the brakes aren’t working,” Dad said to me.

not
Dad …………………the car because the brakes weren’t working.

17 “It’s a boy!” said the midwife.

exclaimed
The midwife …………………………………. a boy.

18 “Please, please don’t hurt me,” she cried.

not
She ………………………………………… her.

19 “Do give me the money!” she said to me.

urged
She ……………………………………the money.

20 “Yes, I think you are right to complain,” said Lorna to me.

agreed
Lorna ………………………………….to complain.

21 “Please leave me alone,” Clare said to them.

asked
Clare …………………………………………alone.

22 “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, Jane,” I said.

hurting
I ……………………………… her feelings.

23 “OK, it was me. I tore Mum’s new dress,” she said.

having
She ………………………………….. Mum’s new dress.

24 “Call an ambulance immediately!” said Bob to the passer-by.

to
Bob …………………………an ambulance immediately.

25 “Would you like me to do the washing up?” said Dan.

offered
Dan …………………………………..the washing up.

26 “No, I won’t go to the party with you,” said Lena.

refused
Lena ………………………….the party with me.

27 “You can use my credit card,” Jake said to me.

me
Jake …………………………………his credit card.

28 “Go ahead, join the expedition,” he said to her.

encouraged
He …………………………………….the expedition.

29 “Go away or I’ll lose my temper,” he said to me.

his
He …………………………………if I didn’t go away.

30 “Yes, I’ll paint the bathroom,” said Catherine.

agreed
Catherine ……………………………………the bathroom.

15.- Find the word which should not be in the sentence.

1 He claimed that to have met the Queen of Spain.

2 Sophia wanted to know what time did they returned home the previous night.

3 The players complained of to the coach about having to play in the hail.

4 Margaret promised to will be careful with the money given to her.

5 The boy asked to his mother if he could play with his friends.

6 He said about that he was feeling under the weather.

7 She said she was ready to go, but adding that the taxi was waiting.

8 The manager told us do not to misuse office equipment.

9 Did he tell to you what happened?

10 She demanded that to be given his name and address.

11 They suggested to buying her a nice wedding present.

12 It is important that he to attend the conference.

13 He told me that I would not have had to leave early the next day.

14 She apologised for having keeping us waiting.

15 Jack wondered whether that to go ahead with his plan.

16 He asked me if he could use my computer and I said he could to.

17 The manager insisted that we are put an advertisement in the papers.

18 Do you know what time do the children finish school?

19 My sister encouraged me how to try once more.

20 They accused him of having been falsified the documents.