MAIN REPORTING VERBS FOR REPORTED SPEECH: STRUCTURES

1. UUSSEE OOFF EENNGGLLIISSHH,, PPAARRTT 44
sseenntteennccee ttrraannssffoorrmmaattiioonnss
Main REPORTING VERBS used in indirect speech

2. UUSSEE OOFF EENNGGLLIISSHH,, PPAARRTT 44
sseenntteennccee ttrraannssffoorrmmaattiioonnss
Main REPORTING VERBS used in indirect speech
SUGGEST+
“I think we should have a break soon”, she said to them.
SUGGESTED
Suggested (that) they should have/ theyhad
She …………………………………………………..............…a break soon.
Suggested having
(THAT)
clause
To them
(that) -ing

3. UUSSEE OOFF EENNGGLLIISSHH,, PPAARRTT 44
sseenntteennccee ttrraannssffoorrmmaattiioonnss
Main REPORTING VERBS used in indirect speech
COMPLAIN
“there’s no fresh air in the office”, the employee said to his workmates.
COMPLAINED
complained (that) there was
The employee……………………………………………..lack of air in the
office.
complained about the
(THAT
)
clause
To them
(THAT)
clause
ABOUT/AGAINST
+noun

4. UUSSEE OOFF EENNGGLLIISSHH,, PPAARRTT 44
sseenntteennccee ttrraannssffoorrmmaattiioonnss
Main REPORTING VERBS used in indirect speech
DEMAND
(THAT)
+ past
tense
Ø To+infinitive
“The company wants their money back as soon as possible”, the manager
said
DEMANDED
The manager……………………………………......... money back soon.
Demanded (that) they GAVE their
Demanded to have/ be given their

5. UUSSEE OOFF EENNGGLLIISSHH,, PPAARRTT 44
sseenntteennccee ttrraannssffoorrmmaattiioonnss
Main REPORTING VERBS used in indirect speech
ADMIT
“I commited some crimes in the past”, the man affirmed.
ADMITTED
The man……A…dm…it…te…d (…th…at)… h…e h…ad… c…om…m…it…ed… cr…im…es……in the past.
Admitted to have commited crimes

6. UUSSEE OOFF EENNGGLLIISSHH,, PPAARRTT 44
sseenntteennccee ttrraannssffoorrmmaattiioonnss
Main REPORTING VERBS used in indirect speech
PROMISE
“We’ll try harder in the second half, Sir”, the players said to the coach.
PROMISED
Promised (that) they would try harder
The players ………………………………………………………in the second half. .
Promised (HIM)to try harder
(THAT)
clause
OBJECT without
preposition)
TO+INFINITIVE

7. SSUUCCHH…………tthhaatt
He got the job because he was an experiences lawyer
SUCH
He was…… s…u…ch… a…n… e…xp…e…rie…n…ce…d… la…w…ye…r …(th…a…t)… ……he got the job.
They felt relieved after they had finished their exams
SUCH
They felt……… s…u…ch… a… r…el…ie…f … …..to finally finish all their exams.
THAT...

8. SSUUCCHH……TTHHAATT
Liz commited too many mistakes. That’s why she failed the test.
SUCH
Liz commited………………………………………….Such a lot of mistakes
that she failed the test.
The cake is very delicious and you should try it.
SUCH
This is………………………………………………Such a delicious cake (that)
you should try it.
he day was beautiful and the birds were all singing.
SO
Was so beautiful (that)
The day ……………………………………………….all birds were singing.