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Questions and Answers
What is another term for reported speech?
What is another term for reported speech?
What are the common components of reported speech?
What are the common components of reported speech?
Which verb is commonly used in reporting clauses?
Which verb is commonly used in reporting clauses?
How are reported questions also known?
How are reported questions also known?
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In reported speech, what usually starts a reported clause?
In reported speech, what usually starts a reported clause?
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What is often omitted in informal speech and writing when using reporting verbs like say and think?
What is often omitted in informal speech and writing when using reporting verbs like say and think?
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What is the most common verb used for reporting questions?
What is the most common verb used for reporting questions?
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How do modal verbs like 'will', 'can', and 'must' change in reported speech?
How do modal verbs like 'will', 'can', and 'must' change in reported speech?
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What happens to the hearer of the original statement in passive report structures using verbs like 'tell' and 'inform'?
What happens to the hearer of the original statement in passive report structures using verbs like 'tell' and 'inform'?
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Which of the following verbs is NOT used to report orders and requests?
Which of the following verbs is NOT used to report orders and requests?
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What happens to the original hearer (the object of the reporting clause) in passive constructions when reporting orders and requests?
What happens to the original hearer (the object of the reporting clause) in passive constructions when reporting orders and requests?
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What is the main purpose of the practice and usage section provided?
What is the main purpose of the practice and usage section provided?
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Study Notes
Reported Speech
Understanding Reported Speech
Reported speech, also known as indirect speech or secondhand speech, is a way of communicating what someone else has said, but not necessarily repeating their exact words. This type of speech involves reporting a conversation, statement, or thought using different grammatical structures compared to direct speech.
Components of Reported Speech
Reporting Clause
Reported speech includes a reporting clause, which consists of a reporting verb and a reporting clause. The reporting clause introduces the reported information and explains who said it. Common reporting verbs include say, ask, tell, wonder, admit, etc.
Reported Clause
The reported clause represents the original statement, question, or thought, and it follows the reporting clause. It starts with the conjunction that and often includes a relative pronoun (who, which, that) to connect the reported clause back to the reporting clause.
Reporting clause: She said that...
Reported clause: ...she was getting married on Saturday.
Reporting Statements and Thoughts
When reporting statements or thoughts, a reported clause is typically used, beginning with the conjunction that. However, in informal speech and writing, that is often omitted, particularly with frequently used reporting verbs like say and think.
Reporting Questions
Questions put into report structures are referred to as reported questions or indirect questions. They are similar to declarative sentences but do not end with a question mark. The most common verb used for reporting questions is ask.
Modal Verbs and Reported Speech
Modal verbs like will, can, may, must, etc., often change in reported speech. For example, will becomes would, can becomes could, and must becomes had to. However, verbs like should, ought to, and used to remain unchanged in reported speech.
Passives in Reporting
Reporting verbs such as tell and inform often occur in passive report structures. In these cases, the hearer of the original statement becomes the subject of the sentence in reported speech, focusing on the hearer only instead of identifying the speaker of the original sentence.
Reporting Orders and Requests
Orders and requests can be reported using verbs like ask, tell, followed by an object and a to-infinitive. Other verbs that occur in this pattern include order, command, forbid, instructions, beg, and urge. In passive constructions, the original hearer (the object of the reporting clause) becomes the subject of the reporting.
Practice and Usage
To practice reported speech, consider:
- Reading articles and summarizing them, incorporating at least two instances of reported speech.
- Using reported speech exercises to practice shifting tenses and changes to pronouns and modal verbs.
Remember that mastering reported speech takes time and practice.
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Description
Learn about reported speech, a way of conveying what someone else has said without quoting them directly. Explore components like reporting and reported clauses, reporting statements and questions, modal verbs, passives in reporting, and reporting orders and requests. Improve your skills with practice exercises.
