Reported+Speech

=Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)=   [|Exercises on Reported Speech] If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

Statements
When transforming statements, check whether you have to change: (no backshift)** || He says that he speaks English. || (backshift)** || He said that he spoke English. || → [|more on statements in reported speech]
 * pronouns
 * present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
 * place and time expressions
 * tenses (backshift)
 * ~ Type ||~ Example ||
 * **direct speech** || “I speak English.” ||
 * **reported speech
 * **reported speech

Questions
When transforming questions, check whether you have to change: Also note that you have to: → [|more on questions in reported speech]
 * pronouns
 * present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
 * place and time expressions
 * tenses (backshift)
 * transform the question into an indirect question
 * use the interrogative or //if// / //whether//
 * ~ Type ||~ Example ||
 * **with interrogative** || **direct speech** || “Why don’t you speak English?” ||
 * ^  || **reported speech** || He asked me why I didn’t speak English. ||
 * **without interrogative** || **direct speech** || “Do you speak English?” ||
 * ^  || **reported speech** || He asked me whether / if I spoke English. ||

Requests
When transforming questions, check whether you have to change: → [|more on requests in reported speech]
 * pronouns
 * place and time expressions
 * ~ Type ||~ Example ||
 * **direct speech** || “Carol, speak English.“ ||
 * **reported speech** || He told Carol to speak English. ||

Additional Information and Exeptions
Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example: → [|more on additional information and exeptions in reported speech]
 * main clauses connected with //and// / //but//
 * tense of the introductory clause
 * reported speech for difficult tenses
 * exeptions for backshift
 * requests with //must//, //should//, //ought to// and //let’s//

Statements in Reported Speech

 * [|no backshift – change of pronouns]
 * [|no backshift – change of pronouns and places]
 * [|with backshift]
 * [|with backshift and change of place and time expressions]

Questions in Reported Speech

 * [|Exercise 1]
 * [|Exercise 2]

Requests in Reported Speech

 * [|Exercise 1 – requests (positive)]
 * [|Exercise 2 – requests (negative)]
 * [|Exercise 3 – requests (mixed)]

Mixed Exercises on Reported Speech

 * [|Exercise 1]
 * [|Exercise 2]

Grammar in Texts

 * [|„] [|The Canterville Ghost] [|“] [| (highlight direct speech and reported speech)]