Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Direct speech refers to statements that are made without an intermediary. Quoted statements, for example, are a type of direct speech. Reported (indirect) speech refers to statements that are made through an intermediary. In reported speech, the sequence of tenses rule is usually employed (EXCEPT when the application of the rule would result in an am iguous or unclear sentence!. The sequence of tenses rule" If the #er in the main clause of a sentence is in a past tense, su ordinate clause #er s must also e in their respecti#e past forms. Examples" DIRECT SPEECH
$. %I ha#e two sisters.% '. %(e li#e on )aple *treet.% +. %It is too windy to play tennis.% ,. %They ha#e + children.% -. %I saw her stealing the glo#es.% .. %(e ha#e eaten dinner.% /. %It is raining outside.% 0. %I will meet you here at 0"11.% 2. %I can finish my homewor3 4uic3ly.%
5otes" 6that is usually omitted efore the su ordinate clause 6if the main clause #er is in the present tense (see ex. $ a o#e!, the su ordinate clause #er is not changed 6the past of the past is past perfect (see ex. - a o#e! 6the past of the present perfect is also past perfect (see ex. . a o#e! 6the past forms of the modal #er s are as follows" can 67 could will 67 would shall 67 should may 67 might must 67 had to 6sometimes pronouns, possessi#es, and time8place references must e changed (see examples ', 0, and 2! EXERCISE Change the following direct statements to reported speech"
%I play inline6s3ate hoc3ey for the national team.% %I want to play professionally in the future.% %I too3 some medicine for my cold.% %I ha#e ne#er ta3en ana olic steroids.% %I must go now.% %The pharmacy is closing in $1 minutes.% &e says &e said &e said &e said &e said &e said . . . . . .
SAY is 9ust one of many #er s that can e used in the main clause of a reported statement. &ere are some other commonly used #er s" announce answer complain mention predict promise declare remar3 deny explain reply state tell insist
Examples" (as an exercise, form the direct statements that ser#ed as the asis for the following reported statements! )a3e the direct (4uoted! statement" REPORTED (INDIRECT) SPEECH
The weatherman announced that it would rain. The President insisted that he hadn:t had sex with )s. ;ewins3i. The accused stated that he was innocent. )y teacher told me that I had to study more or I would fail. The oss told us that we could lea#e early.
5ote" 6the #er TELL re4uires an indirect object (see examples , and -!. The #er SAY, on the other hand, ta3es no indirect o 9ect. REPORTED QUESTIONS <eported 4uestions usually employ the #er ASK in the main clause (also possi le are the #er s INQ IRE, !"NDER, or !ANT T" KN"!!. (hen reporting verb questions (yes/no 4uestions!, the su ordinating con9unction I# (or !$ET$ER! is used to introduce the su ordinate clause. =or infor !tion questions, the appropriate interrogati#e pronoun is used (as a relati#e pronoun! to introduce the su ordinate clause. Examples" DIRECT SPEECH
%Is the an3 open>% %(here is the nearest post office>% %(here did you put my glasses>% %(hen will this noise stop>% %&ow many cats do you ha#e>%
5ote" <eported 4uestions are technically NOT 4uestions themsel#es, so they are not followed y 4uestion mar3s, and T&E<E I* 5? I5@E<*I?5 ?= T&E @E<A B5C T&E *DAEECT.
REPORTED CO""#NDS Commands (imperati#e sentences! are reported using the #er TE$$ followed y an infiniti#e phrase. Examples" DIRECT SPEECH
%Fi#e me all of your moneyG% %*top tal3ingG% %Eat your scram led eggs.%