This document discusses reported or indirect speech. It provides examples of direct speech and how it is changed in reported speech. Key points covered include: changing declarative statements to "that" clauses, interrogative statements to "if" or "whether" clauses for yes/no questions and changing word order for WH questions. It also discusses tense changes and pronoun replacements that occur when changing from direct to reported speech. The document ends with examples to practice changing direct speech to reported speech.

1. REPORTED SPEECH

2. Reported Speech- is derived from a sentence
consisting of two parts:
1. Explanatory part
2. Quoted part

3. Study the following examples:
DIRECT SPEECH
Explanatory Quoted Part
1. The teacher says, “ The computer has all the
answers to all our questions”
2. The student asked, “ Can it solve mathematical
problems?”

4. INDIRECT SPEECH OR REPORTED SPEECH
1. The teacher said that the computer has all the answers to
all our questions.
2. The student asked if the computer could solve
mathematical problems.

5. KEY POINTS
1. When the quoted part is declarative, it is transformed into a
“that clause.”
Example:
Mr. Florendo says, “ The computer has all the
answers to our questions.”
Reported:
Mr. Florendo says that the computer has all
the answers to our questions.
2. When the quoted part is interrogative, it is transformed
according to the following:
a. If the quoted part is a “yes” or “no” question, it is
transformed into an “if-clause” or “whether clause.”
Example:
James asks, “Is the computer a thinking
machine?

6. Reported:
James asks if the computer is a thinking
machine.
James asks whether the computer is a
thinking machine.
b. If the quoted interrogative part is any of the WH-
questions, it is transformed by switching the places
of subject and the verb.
Example:
Jerome asks, “ What are your plans?”
Reported:
Jerome asks what my plans are.
3. The verb in the quoted part should be consistent in tense
with the verb in the introductory part.
-A present tense of verb in the introductory part calls
for a present tense verb in the quoted part.
Example:
Jane says, “I enjoy my computer lessons.”

7. Reported;
Jane says that she enjoys her computer
lessons.
- A present tense in the introductory part and a present
perfect tense in the quoted part retains the present tense in
the reported speech.
Example:
Jimmy said, “ The orientation program is
successful.”
Reported:
-Jimmy said that the orientation program was
successful.
- For a past tense in the introductory part and a present
perfect tense in the quoted part, change the present perfect
tense into past perfect tense.

8. Example:
Eddie said, “ The graduates last year have
already found good paying jobs.”
Reported:
Eddie said that the graduates last year had
already found good paying jobs.
- For past tense in the introductory part and a future
tense in the quoted part, make the helping verb will and shall,
would, and should respectively.
Example:
Clifton said, “ I will take computer science next
year.”
Reported:
Clifton said that he would take computer
science next year.

9. - For the past tense in the introductory part and a present
tense with can or may in the quoted part, use could or might
respectively in the reported speech.
Example:
John said, “Without man, the computer could not
work.”
Reported:
John said that without man, the computer could
not work.
4. The verb in the quoted part remains present even if the verb in
the introductory part says or asks for a fact or truth.
Example:
Clifton said, “ The computer is a wonder machine”
Reported:
Clifton said that the computer is a wonder
machine.

10. 5. If the quoted part is an imperative sentence, it is change into
an infinitive phrase to make a reporrted declarative sentence.
Example:
Our adviser told us, “ Take short-term
computer courses in college for six months.”
Reported:
Our adviser told us to take short-term
computer courses in college for six months.
6. The pronouns in the quoted part are replaced accordingly.
- You with I or we if it is used as subject.
Example:
Jimmy asks, “ What course do you take up in
college?
Reported:
jimmy asks what course I take up in college.

11. - You with me or us if it is used as an object.
Example:
Tom asks, “ What inspires you in your study?”
Reported:
Tom asks what inspires me in my studies.
-Me with her or him
Example:
Mely asks, “ Why have you forsaken me?”
Reported:
Mely asks why I have forsaken her.

12. Activity 1
Read the following direct speeches. Take note carefully
of the quoted part in each sentence. Tell whether it is
declarative, interrogative, or imperative. If it is interrogative,
specify whether it is a “yes” or “no”, or “WH” Question. If it is an
imperative, specify if it is a command or request.
1. Christopher said, “We are living in a world of computers.”
2. The boy asks, “ Is the computer a master or slave?”
3. She asks, “ Are you aware of the panic caused by the news
about computer virus?”
4. John inquired, “ What would happen if the computer breaks
down?”
5. He asks, How many parts does a computer have?”

13. Convert the following direct speeches to reported
speeches. Use the proper connectives and appropriate verbs,
pronouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
1. Michael inquired, “ How can computers help in training
airline pilots.
2. Robert asked, “ What other uses will computers have
aviation.
3. He further inquired, “ Can computers have an aviation?”
4. She commented, “ Computers will direct flights, but they will
not replace pilots.
5. She said, “ A computer has answers to all our questions, but
someone has to ask the right question.”