Reported statements: other changes; reported commands and request; reported questions; reporting verbs

When we convert direct speech into reported speech:

        -Most modal verbs(for exemple, should, could, would, might, ought to) do not change.

                You should report the theft---> she said that I should reported the theft.

                The burglar could still be in the house--->He said that the burglar could still be in the house.

        -pronouns usually change

                I'm watching you--->He said that he was watching me

                We'll take you to the scene of the crime--->She said that they would take me to the scene of the crime

        -expressions of time and place usually change

                We can't stay in here tonight--->He said that they couldn't stay there taht night.

Reported commands and requests

In direct speech, we use the imperative to give commands and make requests. When this changed to reported speech, we use the following structures:

                        -Commands: tell + object + infinitive (with to)

                        -requests: ask + object + infinitive (with to)

               For example: Watch the door!--->The lawyer told the court to watch the door

                                    Please can you explain?--->The lawyer asked the judge to explain.

If we want to make a negative command or request in reported speech, we put not before the infinitive (with to):

  subject + verb + object + not + infinitive (with to)

For example: Don't anything--->The detective told us not to touch anyhing.

                     Please don't send my client to prison--->The lawyer asked the judge not to send his client to prison.

There are other verbs taht we can use to give commands and make requests in reported speech. For example: advise, ask, encourage, invite, order, persuade, remind, tell, warn.

        For example: You should tell the police---> My friend advised me to tell the police.

                             Don't forget to lock your car---> She reminded us to lock our car.

Reported questions

Reported questions have a different word urder from direct questions. They use the same word order as affirmative sentences:

Verb + subject (direct question)---> subject + verb(reported question)

What's your name? he asked---> he asked (her) what her name was.

We do not use do/did/ does in reported questions.

 Do you recognize the suspect?---> They asked if she recognized the suspect.

If a direct question uses question word (for example who, why, when, how, what) we repeat the question word in the reported question.

When will you finish the book?---> He asked (her) when she would finish the book.

What are you reading?---> He asked (her) what she was reading.

If a direct question does not use question words (who, why, when, how, what), we use if or whether in the reported question.

Can I see your driving licence?---> The detective asked him

If/whether she could see his driving licence.

Were you at the art gallery?---> She asked him if/ whether he had been at the art gallery.

DON'T FORGET!!!

We do not use question marks(?) in reported speech.

 What are you doing?---> they asked us what we were doing.

Reporting verbs

We can use many different verbs to introduce  reported speech.

They take the following patterns:

                   -Verb + object + infinitive (with to). These are usually the verbs we use in reported commands and requests, when one person asks another to do something. They include: ask, advise, invite, order, remind, tell, encourage, persuade, warn.

  Whatever you do, don't touch the gun!---> He warned e not to touch the gun

                  -verb + infinitive (with to). These verbs include: agree, offer, promise, refuse.

   I'll drive you to the police station---> He offered to drive me to the police station.

   No, we won't help you---> They refused to help us.

                  -verb (+that) + subject + verb in reporting tense. These verbs include: admit, declare, explain, insist, promise, recommend, reply, reveal, say, suggest, add. In informal language, we can usually omit that

   Why don't you get a burglar alarm---> She suggested(that) we got a burglar alarm.  

    You need to call this number---> He explained (to me) (that) i needded to call that number.

                 -verb + for + -ing: apologixe for

   I'm sorry I was rude---> she apologized for being rude

DON'T FORGET

The reporting verbs say and tell have the same meaning, but their use is different:

    -say(+that) + reported speech

    -tell + indirect object (+that) + reported speech

    The police officer said (that) they had found the vandals.

    The police officer told me that they had found the vandals.