2
LESSON
Reported speech: Statements and imperatives
GRAMMAR
STUDY
Reported Speech
She said, “The sink
is
clogged up.”
She said (that) the sink
was
clogged up.
She told her husband, “I
spoke
to the landlord.” She told her husband (that) she
had spoken
to
the landlord.
He told her, “Turn off the water.”
He told her to turn off the water.
He said, “Please wait for the plumber to arrive.” He asked her to wait for the plumber to arrive.
He said, “Don’t turn on the heat.”
He said not to turn on the heat.
In informal English, the verb in the reported speech often does not
change to the past, especially when it refers to something that’s
still true: “He
said
that I finally
have
a plumber on the way.”
Grammar Note
PRACTICE
A
Read the statements in direct speech. Complete the reported speech
statements. Use formal English.
1.
Lena said, “Our kitchen sink is clogged up.”
Lena said that their kitchen sink
was
clogged up.
2.
Marcos told Lena, “Your landlord sounds awful.”
Marcos told Lena that
landlord
awful.
3.
Marcos told her, “You have rights.”
Marcos told her
.
4.
She said, “I don’t want to complain.”
She said
.
B
Imagine that a plumber gives you the following advice for taking care of your plumbing.
On a separate piece of paper, rewrite each imperative as reported speech.
Use the reporting verb in parentheses.
1.
“Pay attention to your drains.” (tell)
He told me to pay attention to my drains.
2.
“Pour boiling water down the drain once a month.” (tell)
3.
“Put a screen over the drain.” (say)
4.
“Don’t throw paper towels into the toilet.” (tell)
5.
“Call me as soon as you have a problem.” (ask)
PAIRS
Write a short conversation in which a tenant calls a landlord about a housing
problem. Meet with another pair and read your conversation. Then report what you heard.
The tenant said the refrigerator wasn’t working.
Direct Speech: Statements
Reported Speech: Statements
Direct Speech: Imperatives
Reported Speech: Imperatives
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
UNIT 8
105
