1) Statements: Ayat said (to me)," I can't buy this blouse as it is very costly.

" Ayat said / told me (that) she couldn't buy that blouse as it was very costly. a) Keep say/says/said if used without an object, but change into tell/tells/told when followed by one: Ayat said / told me b) Adding "that" is optional: Ayat said / told me (that) c) Change the pronouns first: Ayat said / told me (that) she d) Move the verb back in time: Ayat said / told me (that) she couldn't was e) Change time references, adverbs and demonstratives: Ayat said / told me (that) she couldn't buy that 2) Yes/No & Wh -questions: Ahmad said," Have you ever visited France, Ali?" Ahmad asked Ali if he had ever visited France. Yumna said," How much did you pay for this lovely skirt, Ala'a?" Yumna asked Ala'a how much she had paid for that lovely skirt. a) Change say/says/said into ask/asks/asked: Ahmad asked Ali Yumna asked Ala'a b) Add if for Yes / No questions, yet use any question word for wh-questions: Ahmad asked Ali if Yumna asked Ala'a how much c) Follow if or the question word with the subject: Ahmad asked Ali if he Yumna asked Ala'a how much she d) Move the verb back in time: Ahmad asked Ali if he had ever visited France. Yumna asked Ala'a how much she had paid for e) Change time references, adverbs and demonstratives: Yumna asked Ala'a how much she had paid for that lovely skirt. 3) Orders, instructions and requests: Sarah said," Study hard to succeed, Mona." Sarah told / asked Mona to study hard to succeed. The policeman said," Don't move or I'll shoot." The policeman told / ordered the thief not to move or he would shoot. a) Change say/says/said into tell, command, order (for instructions) and ask, advise (for requests): Sarah asked/advised Mona The policeman ordered / told the thief b) Add to with affirmatives, but not to with negatives: Prepared by: Mr. Ibrahim Muhammad Ghazal

A Brief Outline of The Reported Speech

Sarah asked/advised Mona to The policeman ordered the thief not to

Prepared by: Mr. Ibrahim Muhammad Ghazal