REPORTED SPEECH. BASICS

REPORTED SPEECH

When we reproduce the words of a person to a third person we are reporting. This produces a change in the structure of language used.

1. STATEMENTS

Introduced mainly by  the verbs say to or tell someone but also many others: commented, claimed, stated, affirmed……

If the reporting verb is in the present ther are no changes. He says he is arriving at 10.

But generaly there is a change in the reporting verb and then everything changes

Verbs changes: back shift .  Anything in present changes to past. Past to part perfect, some pasts don’t change.

Will______-would

Can______-could

May_______ might

Introduced by that but not needed. He said (that) he would call you.

2. questions

Usually introduced by ask

2.1 total questions introduced by if/whether

2.2. partial questions introduced by the question Words: why, what, how, how many.where when…..

3. commands, orders,

Introduced by to or not to. He ordered to take down the paper.

4. Other structures

Attention to some verbs that work in a diferente way. You

SUGGEST   DENY  ACCUSED   APOLOGISE