A Sample sentences
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They say that we will receive the confirmation next week.
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She mentioned that the date of the next meeting hasn't been fixed yet.
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He promised that the conference would be ready for us when we arrived.
B Form
Reported speech takes two forms:
1. A main clause with a verb of speaking/asking + a subordinate clause:
main clause
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subordinate clause
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They say
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that we will receive the confirmation next week.
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2. A main clause with a verb of speaking/asking + an infinitive with to:
They asked us to send confirmation as soon as possible.
Indirect speech is derived from direct speech:
He said, "We have signed the contract.' (direct speech)
He said that they had signed the contract. (indirect speech)
The basic rule to determine the tense of the verb in the subordinate clause is as follows:
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present
future
present perfect
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(no change)
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T ense of verb of speaking in direct speech
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Tense of verb of words spoken
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present →past
past →past or past perfect
present perfect →past perfect
will →would
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past
past perfect
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Direct speech
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Indirect speech
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She says, 'We have a deal.'
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She says (that) we have a deal.
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She said, 'We have a deal.'
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She said (that) we had a deal.
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She said, 'I have made a deal.'
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She said that she had made a deal.
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She said, 'I will confirm the deal next week.'
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She said that she would confirm die deal the following week.
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Other changes are to the pronouns and the time adverbials.
Pronouns
Direct speech
I/you
we/you
me/you
us/you
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Indirect speech
he/she
they
him/her
them
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Time adverbials
Direct speech
yesterday
today
tomorrow
last…
next…
this…
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Indirect speech
the day before/the previous day
that day
the day after/the following day
the previous ..
the following ...
that ...
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C Practice
1. Here is an interview between a journalist and a Finance Minister. Complete the newspaper report which follows by adding an appropriate verb.
J: Has the policy of the government changed?
M: No, we are working towards increasing the quality of services and making the economy strong.
J: What do you predict as a level of inflation over the next 12 months?
M: Inflation will continue at present levels – about 2.5 per cent.
J: Are you confident that economic growth will remain strong?
M: Economic growth is now at 2 per cent and should rise to 4 per cent over the coming year.
_________________ if the policy of the government ________, the Minister ____________ the government __________ towards increasing the quality of services and making the economy strong. He ___________ that inflation ________ at present levels – around 2.5 per cent – and economic growth, now at 2 per cent, _______ to 4 per cent.
2. Here is an extract from a telephone conversation between a fashion designer, Marianne, and a clothes manufacturer, Juan.
Marianne:
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Did you get the photographs I sent?
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Juan:
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Yes they were really good. I liked them a lot. Now – when are you coming to Milan?
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Marianne:
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Soon, next month maybe, I'll come at the end of the month.
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Juan:
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And will you bring the new designs?
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Marianne:
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Of course! Not only the designs, I'll bring the clothes. They're already made and you can see them whenever you like.
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Juan:
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I know Rina wants to see them. I'll tell her you're coming next month.
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Marianne:
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Fine. Oh, by the way, Rina still owes me some money, you know. I think she has probably forgotten. She said the money would be in my bank last Tuesday and it hasn't arrived yet.
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Juan:
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Okay, I'll tell her. That's all, isn't it?
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Marianne:
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Yeah, I think so. Can you ask Rina to call me? I'll be in all day Friday.
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Juan:
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Okay, I'll tell her. Bye for now.
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Write a brief letter to Rina telling her the details of this conversation. Use the above as an outline.
Dear Rina
I spoke to Marianne yesterday. I told her _____ the photographs. She said _____ to Milan at the end of next month. She also said _____ the designs and the finished clothes. She _____ me to remind you that ____ She said you _____ the money _____ in her bank last Tuesday but _____ arrived.
Finally, she _____ if you _____ call her. She said _____ Friday.
Ciao
Juan
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