Reported Paul said (that) he woke up feeling ill, so he didn't go to work. or Paul said (that) he had woken up feeling ill, so he hadn't gone to work.

It is not always necessary to change the verb in reported speech. If you report something and the situation hasn't changed, you do not need to change the verb to the past: direct Paul said, 'My new job is very interesting.' reported

Paul said that his new job is very interesting.

(The situation hasn't changed. His job is still interesting.) direct Helen said, ’ want to go to New York next year.’

reported Helen told me that she wants to go to New York next year. (Helen still wants to go to New York next year.) You can also change the verb to the past:

Paul said that his new job was very interesting. Helen told me that she wanted to go to New York next year. But if you are reporting a finished situation, you must use a past verb:

Paul left the room suddenly. He said he had to go. {not has to go) You need to use a past form when there is a difference between what was said and what is really true. For example: You met Sonia a few days ago. She said: 'Joe *s in hospital.' (direct speech) Later that day you meet Joe in the street. You say: 'I didn't expect to see you, Joe. Sonia said you were in hospital.' (not 'Sonia said you are in hospital', because clearly he is not)

Say and tell

If you say who somebody is talking to, use tell:

Sonia told me that you were in hospital, (not Sonia said me) What did you tell the police? (not say the police)

Otherwise use say:

SAY SOMEBODY

Sonia said that you were in hospital, (not Sonia told that ...)

What did you say?

But you can 'say something to somebody':

Ann said goodbye to me and left, (not Ann said me goodbye)

What did you say to the police?

Tell/ask somebody to do something

We also use the infinitive (to do / to stay etc.) in reported speech, especially with tell and ask (for orders and requests):

Direct 'Stay in bed for a few days,' the doctor said to me.

Reported The doctor told me to stav in bed for a few days.

Direct 'Don't shout,' I said to Jim.

reported I told Jim not to shout.

direct 'Please don't tell anybody what happened,' Jackie said to me. reported Jackie asked me not to tell anybody what (had) happened. You can also say 'Somebody said (not) to do something': Jackie said not to tell anyone, (but not Jackie said me)

Unit 3(c)

Grammar: Reported speech (question)

Text: Why diets differ around the world (part 2)

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
Exercises	\|	Why diets differ around the world (part 2)

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