Reported speech without reporting verbs
In newspaper reports, reports of parliamentary debates, records of conferences, minutes of meetings, etc, the reported speech construction is often used with very few reporting verbs.
Eg. The managing director began his address to the shareholders by summarizing the results for the year. Profits on the whole had been high, though one or two areas had been disappointing. It was, however, important to maintain a high level of investment, and he was sure that the shareholders would appreciate..... .
PRACTICE
1.Put the following into indirect speech
1. “I have nothing to show you”, I said to her.
2. “Nothing grows in my garden. It never gets any sun”, she said.
3. “I’m going away tomorrow, mother, ”he said.
4. “I’ve been in London for a month but so far I haven’t had time to visit the Tower”, said Rupert.
5. “We have moved into a new flat. We don’t like it nearly so much as our last one,” said my aunt.
6. “We have a lift but very often it doesn’t work,” they said.
7. “I’ve no idea what time is but I’ll dial 8081 and find out,” said his daughter.
8. “I’ll come with you as soon as I am ready,” she replied.
9. “If you let the iron get too hot you will scorch your clothes,” I warned her.
10. “I’ll sit up till she comes in, but I hope she won’t be late,” he said.
2. Put the following into indirect speech, being careful to avoid ambiguity.
1. “I couldn’t get into the house because I had lost my key, so I had to break a window,” he said.
2. “The mirror is there so that you can see yourself when you are dancing ,”the instructress told him.
3. “I wrote to him the day before yesterday. I wonder why he hasn’t rung up,” she said.
4. “If the ground is dry on the day of the race, the horse might win,” said the owner.
5. “You’d better slow down. There’s a speed limit here,” she said to me.
6. “If Tom wants seats, he’d better apply early,” she said.
7. “They should put traffic lights here, otherwise there’ll be more accidents,” she said.
8. “It’s time we began training for our next match,” the coach said to them.
9. “If it rains this afternoon it will be too wet to play the match tomorrow,” the captain said.
10. “I was intending to do it tomorrow ,”he said,” but now I don’t think I’ll be able to”.
11. “Bill should do very well at the university, Mrs. Smith,” said the headmaster. ”He’s done very well here”.
12. “I wish you’d seen it,” I said to her.
3. Put the following questions into indirect ones.
1.“What happened to Mr. Budd?” said one of the men.
2.”Which of his sons inherited the estate? asked the other.
3.”Who is going to live in a big house?” enquired a third.
4.”Why has the 2.30 train been cancelled?” said Ann.
5.”How much does a day return to Bath cost?” Mrs. Jones asked.
6.”Why does the price go up so often?” she wondered.
7.”How can I get from the station to the airport?” said Bill.
8.“Are you working as well as studying?” asked Peter.
9.“Have you got a work permit?” Bill wanted to know.
10.“What are you going to study?” asked Ann.
11. “Have you enrolled for more than one class?” said Peter.
12. “Do you want to buy any second-hand books?” said Bill.
13. “Have you seen the library?” asked Ann.
14. “Do you play rugby?” said Peter.
15. “Will you have time to play regularly?” he went on.
16. “Did you play for your school team?” said Bill.
17. “Why are you looking through the keyhole?” I said.
18. “Who put salt in my coffee?” he asked.
19. “Why did you travel first class?” I asked him.
20. “How can I run in high-heeled shoes?” she asked.
21. “What is your new house like?” I asked him.
22. “Whose car did you borrow last night?” I said to him.
23. “Are you going to see him off at the station?” I asked her.
24. “Would you mind if I looked inside your bag, Madam?” said the policeman.
4.Put the following into indirect speech, joining the sentences together with as, and, but, for.
1.“Make good use of your time. You won’t get such an opportunity again,” he said to us.
2. “Don’t wait till tomorrow”, said the advertisement, ”post the coupon at once”.
3. “Be very careful crossing roads,” she said,” and remember to drive on the right”.
4. “I can’t open it. You have a try, Peter,” he said.
5. “Go and get me a paper, and come straight back,” he said to me.
6. “Wear a wig if you don't want to be recognized,” I advised to him.
7. “Beware of pickpockets,” said a huge notice.
8. “Smell this. Do you think it has gone bad?” she said.
9. “Stand by the window and tell me if anyone goes into the house opposite,” he said.
10. “Remember to put the break on,” the instructor said.
5. Questions with If-clauses and time clauses. ( Remember that these clauses should be put last.
E.g. “When/If I see him , what shall I say?” she asked.
She asked what she should say when/if she saw him.
1.She said,” If you feel faint sit down and put your head between your knees”.
2. She said ,”If he arrives before I get back give him something to drink”.
3. “If anyone rings up,” she said,” say that I’ll be back shortly”.
4. “When you are driving always look in you driving mirror before turning right,” said the instructor.
5. “If you think the room is cold shut the windows,” said my aunt.
6. “If you feel lonely any time ring me up,” he said.
7. “When you see Mrs. Pitt don’t forget to thank her,” she said to her husband.
8. “When the bell rings take the meat out of the oven,” said my sister.
9. “When you hear the fire alarm, shut all windows and go downstairs as quickly as possible,” said the schoolmaster.
10. “If the lift should stop between two floors press the emergency button,” he said.
11. “When the rain stops, can we go out?” said the children.
12. “When you’ve completed one section, go on to the next,” the teacher said.