There are a number of ways to report what people say.

· We often use say, tell, ask to report speech.

Example: “Triumph has a very strong brand name.” He said (that) Triumph

had a very strong brand name.

· We use tell with an object.

Example: “Triumph has a very strong brand name.” He told the interviewer

(that) Triumph had a very strong brand name.

· We use ask ( with or without an object) to report questions.

Example: “ How do you create interest abroad?” The interviewer asked how

they created interest abroad.

We usually make the following changes in reported speech:

· The verb goes back one tense.

· Nouns and pronouns may change.

Example: “Our employees will always be our most valuable asset.” The CEO

said that their employees would always be their most valuable asset.

When we report things that are either very recent or generally true, we

Often use the same tense as the speaker.

Example: “Planning is important.” He said that planning is important.

I. Complete these sentences with the correct form of say or tell.

1. He ........ that he was finding it difficult to manage people.

2. He ........ me that he was finding it difficult to manage people.

3. She ........ him to improve his performance.

4. She ........ they would never agree.

5. My boss ........ me not to pay attention to these changes.

6. He ......... that he worked for General Electric.

II. Use say, tell, ask to report this dialogue between two company directors.

PhilipI want to motivate our managers more.

AmandaAre you delegating the less important decisions?

PhilipI think so. And I’m making more timeto listen to their suggestions.

AmandaThat’s good. Responding to their ideas is really important.

PhilipIs the department investing enough in training?

Amanda Yes, it is. This year’s budget is bigger than last year’s.

III. You work in the central human resources department of an international company. Tell your colleagues about things that have happened today. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form of the present tense (simple, continuous or perfect).

1. Susan has just phoned and she (say) that there (be) problems with the

salary payment system.

2. Thomas has e-mailed me and he (tell) me that the new American boss (not

understand) the way his department (work).

3. Ulla was in here just now and she (complain) that the promotion policies of

the company (cause) a lot of unhappiness among the staff.

4. Victor has sent a fax from the Moscow office and he (ask) me to give you

his regards.

5. I’ve just had lunch with Wanda and she (inform) me that the new

salespeople we (recruit) for her department are no good.

6. I was on the phone to Alex just now - he (say) that sales (be) very bad in

France and we (have) to make some of the employees there redundant.

7. I ran into Yvonne and Zac downstairs and they (tell) me that the whole

company is in big financial trouble.

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
Motivating impulsive fair	\|	It is now a week later. Say what happened last week, using the correct verb tenses.

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