e Reporting structures in the reported clause - that- clause, to-infinitive and -ing; verb tense in reporting; modal verbs in reporting; reporting questions; should in that- clauses; present subjunctive A_ Context listening EB if you lived close to an airport, what problems would you be most concerned about? © G28) There are plans to expand the small airport near the village where Kath and James live. Kath has been to a meeting to discuss the plans, and she tells James about it. Listen to their conversation. Identify three advantages and three problems of the airport expansion that were mentioned at the meeting. EB © 224) Listen again and complete these extracts with the words you hear. 1 They ....to4..us. that... the expansion would create 2000 jobs directly. 2 They scsstunsnse growing number of people in the local area supported the expansion. 3 They .escssssnsnnnnesnnes Us informed about future developments. 4 They econ . there and look at the plans in detail. B. She vessssse the airport authorities were not telling the truth. 6 She... to our local politicians with our objections. 7 She also suggested inviting the Minister for Transport to hear our complaints. ie to her. G3 Put the past tense verbs you have written in one of the columns according to the pattern that follows them. Which one of the verbs can also be followed by one of the other patterns? verb + that- clause | verb + to-infinitive | verb + object + verb + object + that- clause to-infinitive told 172emma We often report in our own words what people think or what they have said: — There will be a public enquiry. Reporting clause —>Cifr Kelly announced >that there would be a public enquiry Reported clause with reporting verb 1 Structures in the reported clause: that- clause Reporting verbs can be followed by a number of structures in the reported clause. The most important ones with that- clauses are given below. (>See Appendix 14.) © verb + that (> See Appendix 14.1.) Sue reckoned that the expansion would damage tourism. L agree that the plans will change the area. © verb + object + that (>See Appendix 14.2.) He convinced me that noise wouldn't be a problem for us, (not He-convineed-that-noise wouldn't be-a-problem-for-us.) © verb + (object) + that (» See Appendix 14.3.) She warned (us) that the airport authorities were not telling the truth. Compare the use of tell and say in the reported clause: They told us that the expansion would create around 2000 jobs. (tell + object + that) They said (to us) that it might increase tourism in the region. (say + (to + object) + that) @ verb + that or verb + object + to-infinitive (>See Appendix 14.4.) I found that his reassurances were quite convincing. or more formally Lfound his reassurances to be quite convincing. @ verb + (to / with + object) + that (>See Appendix 14.5.) They admitted (to us) that they're not sure exactly how many people it will attract. agree (with the anti-expansion group) that the plans will change the area. We often leave out that in informal contexts, particularly with the most common reporting verbs (e.g. reckon, say, tell, think). However, we don’t usually leave it out if the that- clause doesn’t immediately follow the verb: Sue reckoned (that) the expansion would actually damage tourism, Lagree with the anti-expansion group that the plans will change the area. 173 |2 Structures in the reported clause: to-infinitive and -ing ‘These are the most important structures with a to-infinitive or -ing form in the reported clause: e verb + to-infinitive (> See Appendix 14.6.) T've decided to wait and see what happens next. e verb + object + to-infinitive (> See Appendix 14.7.) They encouraged us to go to the village hall. © verb + (object) + to-infinitive (> See Appendix 14.8.) I expected them to be confrontational. or Lexpected to hear more objections. ‘verb + to-infinitive or verb + that (> See Appendix 14.9.) ‘They promised to keep us informed. or They promised that they would keep us informed. verb + object + to-infinitive or verb + object + that (>See Appendix 14.10.) She advised us to write to our local politicians with our objections. or She advised us that we should write to our local politicians with our objections. verb + -ing or verb + that (>See Appendix 14.11.) She suggested inviting the Minister for Transport to hear our complaints. or She suggested that we should invite the Minister for Transport (not She-sugigested-to-invite -) 3 Verb tense in reporting [START POINT ‘When reporting, we often change the tense that was in the original. ‘The airport authorities are not telling the truth.’ —> She warned that the airport authorities were not telling the truth. “We carried out the trial flights last month.'—> Mr Kelly said thar they had carried out the trial flights last ‘month, ot Mr Kelly said that they earried out .. We don’t usually change a past perfect verb: ‘We had hoped for more support.’ > He said they had hoped for more support. We can use a present tense verb for a situation that still exists when we report it: James said he’s worried about the nuclear power station on the coast. oF ... said he was worried ... We usually use a past tense in the reporting clause. However, we can use the present simple to report current news of views, what is always said or what many people say: Thear that Boeing 737s will be landing there. Everyone F've spoken to thinks it’s awful. 4 Modal verbs in reporting ‘A modal verb in the original sometimes changes in the report. e will changes to would, can to could, and may usually changes to might: ‘It may increase tourism in the area.’—> They said it might increase tourism in the region. 174However, if the situation we are reporting still exists or is in the future, modals don’t change if there is a present tense verb in the reporting clause: ‘We'll be displaying copies of the plans in the village hall.’ > They say they'll be putting copies of the plans in the village hall. We can use cither form if there is a past tense verb in the reporting clause: ‘The expansion will create 2000 jobs.’ > They told us that the expansion will / would create around 2000 jobs. ¢ shall changes to would to talk about the future, and to should to report suggestions, recommendations and requests for advice: ‘T shall decide later.’ > He said he would decide later. ‘What shall we do next” — He asked what they should do next. must doesn’t change or changes to had to when it is used to say it is necessary to do something: ‘You must look at the plans before making any decisions.’ > He said I must / had to look at the plans before making any decisions. Had to is more natural in speech. could, should, would, might, ought to and used to don’t usually change in the report: ‘We ought to write to our local politicians.’ —» She suggested we ought to write to our local politicians, 5 Reporting questions Gur ‘What are your views on this? —» They asked what our views were. or They asked (for) our views. ‘Have you got any more questions? —> They wanted to know if / whether we had any more questions. (> See Unit 16 on the choice between whether and if.) The usual word order in the reported wh-, if- or whether- clause is the one we would use in a statement, and we don’t use a question mark or the do auxiliary: ‘How exactly will it boost tourism?’ — I asked how exactly it would boost tourism. ‘Where did you get your figures from? —> She asked where they had got their figures from. ‘We can use a negative form of do to report a negative question: ‘Why don’t you want the airport to expand?’ > He asked why I didn’t want the airport to expand. If the original question begins what, which or who, followed by be + complement, we can put the complement before or after be in the report: ‘Who's Sue Ray? —> He asked who Sue Ray was. or He asked who was Sue Ray. To report a question with should asking for advice or information, we can use a to-infiniti ‘What should we do to protest?’ —> Someone asked Sue what to do to protest. of ... what we should do to protest. A We don’t use a to-infinitive to report a why question: ‘Why should we believe them? —> She wanted to know why we should believe them. (not She- wanted-to-know-why-to-believe them.) 175 I a1a9) § 6 Should in that- clauses; the present subjunctive We sometimes use should + bare infinitive or should + be + past participle (passive) in a that- clause to report advice, orders, requests and suggestions about things that are desirable or need to be done: T suggested that she should contact our MP. (= suggestion) She demanded that we should be shown the details of the flight paths. (= order) They urged that the expansion plans should not be rejected. (= advice) A We don’t use this pattern to report statements with other functions: ‘She warned us that the airport authorities were not telling the truth. (= warning) (not He-warned us-that-the airport-authorities should not be telling the auth.) In formal contexts, we can often leave out should and use only the bare infinitive or he + past participle (the present subjunctive): I suggested that she contact our MP. They urged that the expansion plans not be rejected. (>See Appendix 14.12.) Cem Ura EB complete the sentences with an appropriate form of the reporting verbs in the box. Add a preposition or pronoun if necessary. check claim commiserate emphasise _explain grumble persuade reassure reveal whisper 1 Before I parked my car outside Frank's house, [....cn¢k¢4..with..... him that this would be okay. 2 It took a long time to feed all the customers, and by the time we got around to the last ones they ....-.:.:s:enesnes that their food was cold. But I just ignored their complaints. 3 [mow that Philip enjoys his work as a gardener, but when he ......00sesssre-v tO bE the best job in the world, I wasn’t sure whether he was being serious or not. 4 The company hadn’t paid me for the work I'd done for them, but when I phoned, they oe that a cheque was on its way. Carlson didn’t want to speak to the police yet. He didn’t want t0 «2... anyone that he knew who the murderer was until he had concrete evidence. 6 When Teresa handed me the report she said that it was only a first draft. She that it should remain confidential until the statistics had been ov verified. 2767 Just before I stood up to make my speech, my friend Jenny came up close and -me that my shirt was hanging out at the back. 8 Terry said that he was going to re-paint the car himself, but I managed to . that this was a bad idea and that he should get it done professionally. 9 When I heard about her disastrous job interview, I phoned Martha to her. 10 Act first, the security guard stopped me going in, but when I him that I had an appointment with someone in the building, he let me through the barrier. ©) Stephen is an engineering student who has applied for a job when he leaves university. Complete these extracts from Stephen’s letter of application using the notes in brackets. Use a that-, to-infinitive or -ing clause in your answer and give alternatives where possible. Dear Mr Clarke, I | | | | 1 am writing with reference to the post of Senior Research | Engineer advertised in Engineering Monthly. I assume | (tee post..is../. the. post. to. bg... (the post) still vacant. My supervisor, Professor Ken Newton, has advised | @.. (apply) and has assured (3) : | (ry research), which is described in detail in the attached papers, | will be of interest to you. © Texpeet (4) os (complete) my PhD by the end of | | the year, and I propose (5)...... .. (publish) the findings of my research soon afterwards. I believe (6)....... (my qualifications and experience) appropriate for the post. Thope (7) .. ... (hear) from you in the near future. Yours sincerely, Stephen Firch Stephen Finch 177Picadas Stephen got an interview, but wasn’t offered the job. Complete his account of the interview to his supervisor. - Oo “They asked (8)... . explain ,) the main purposes of my research. 10)... (tell) Twas working on a new hydrogen fuel cell. admitted (10)... . (have problems) in the early stages of the work. They were very helpful. They suggested (11) .....e..0 (look at) Chris Hume's work at the University of Harford. They agreed (12)... svvseen (me / my research) has many practical applications. They even invited (13) .....:.c.scseee (visit) their laboratories if it would help in my research. Although they didn’t offer me the job, they recommended (14) ...1.00- sos (write) to them again after I’ve finished my PhD, and in the meantime they agreed (is). (contact) if any other similar jobs come up. Of course, they couldn't guarantee (16) (offer) a job in the future, but they were very encouraging.” i} EB) change the sentences into reported speech. Give alternative tenses where possible. ‘ie she was, sking, 2 t's going to rain later today.’ > He thinks ....... 3 ‘Why don't you walk to school any more? —> She asked me 4 ‘Idon’t think this is my coat.’ — She didn’t think .... 5 ‘Diane can speak six languages.’ He said....... 6 7 8 ‘Are you going to college next year?” —> She asked ...... vou next year. ‘You must set the alarm when you leave the house.’ > She said... ‘Who was your favourite teacher when you were at school?” —> She asked me — . when I was at school. ‘Where have I left my handbag? —> She couldn’t remember .... os 10 ‘Tm playing football this afternoon.’ —> He said .....00::.00se0 Yesterday afternoon. . 11 ‘I won't be able to give you a lift after all.’ + He said ., 80 I'll have to take a taxi. 12 ‘How much do you earn? —> He wanted to KNOW «sca: . 13 ‘We might go to France again in the summer.’ —> She mentioned..... the summer. 14 ‘What shall I do with this painting” + He wanted to know 178 tTGB The organisation Stop Poverty! campaigns for more aid and fairer trade for developing countries. Report these items from a speech made by its leader. Use a that- clause which includes, if possible, a present subjunctive. 3 Millions of people are being cheated of a proper living! 5 The current trading rules are not fair! 2 Cancel the debt of African nations! 4 Focus aid on basic healthcare and education! 6 Allow poorer countries to trade as equals! /\ 7 Don’t rewrite trade 8 Help developing 9 Stop Poverty! is to rules to favour countries to expand launch a new public richer countries! their own industries! awareness campaign! 1 She proposed that. aid. be. doubled. . 6 She urged 2 She demanded .......c0ssssesnen 7 She insisted ... 3 She argued ...cccccsssesseenees 8 She advised . 4 She recommended 9 She announced «ccc 5 She saidD_ Exam practice ma aa c E rest ofthe book Listening ‘as well as the © 186) You will hear two professional photographers, Alan and Maggie, talking or i ‘about various aspects of their work. Decide whether the opinions are expressed by only one of the speakers or whether the speakers both express the opinion. Write A for Alan, M_ for Maggie, or B for Both. 4. Studio photography is more predictable than landscape photography. 2 Careful preparation can make people look unnatural in photographs. 3. Photographers have to be good communicators. 4 Not having a formal training can be an advantage. 5 | welcome criticism of my photographs. 6 Digital technology has had a negative impact on photography. a a ee In these extracts from the discussion, are either of the alternative endings also correct? Write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ next to each option. 1 My art teacher suggested that I go along. a ..me to go along. b ... that I should go along. 2 Lencourage them to look at the location in a different way. aw. that they look at the location in a different way. b ... to look at the location in a different way. 3 Cartier-Bresson claimed that photography is a way of life. a... photography to be a way of life. b .. it that photography is a way of life. 4 Its great when people consider that an exhibition of mine is a success. a wit that an exhibition of mine is a success. b ...an exhibition of mine to be a success. 5 A colleague of mine persuaded me to switch to a digital camera. a... that I switch to a digital camera. b ... to switch to a digital camera. seeWriting Your company sent five senior managers to a language school in Britain this year to improve their English. Read this message from your Director, on which you have made some notes, and the comments made by the managers. Use this information to write a report for your Director. Weetend trips inkerestingr (eae London, Oxford Eveningy s00iad Now that the managers are back from their events arvonayed. lng | English course, Vd like you to get some eagdanes feedback from them. Can you please prepare @ report covering: + quality of the teaching and accommodation Staged. with local Families. Vert Friendly. Food. awful! 3 weeks t00 short Coven with 25 hows of tuition per weet) Add your recommendation on whether we Had. t0 pay For should repeat the exercise with the same * books, weevend trips, school next year. Was it good value for money? ete. Expensive. me: 3 aon EFRO per person per week. Write your report in 180-220 words. This task gives you the chance to practise reporting, particularly in sentences with thar- clauses: The managers said that the teaching was excellent. One participant complained that the food wasn't very good. Some participants noted that the school was rather disorganised,