Reported Speech

Reported Speech

1. 1. SAY

   • Let's look first at the verbs we've already talked about. The basic verb pattern for using 'say' for reported speech is: say + (that) + clause
     • She said (that) she had already eaten.
       • The direct speech for this is "I've already eaten"

2. 2. TELL

   • On the other hand, with 'tell' we need to use an object, a person who we tell the information to. See also my page about the difference between 'say' and 'tell' here. tell + someone + (that) + clause
     • I told John (that) I had seen the new film.
       • The direct speech for this is "I've seen the new film"
   • When we are reporting orders, we can also use another pattern with 'tell': tell + someone + to + infinitive
     • She told the children to go to bed.

3. 3. ASK

   • We use 'ask' to report questions or requests. For questions we use the pattern: ask + someone + if / question word + clause
     • I asked my boss if I could leave early
   • For requests we use the pattern: ask + someone + to + infinitive
     • I asked Lucy to pass me the salt.

4. 4. ADVISE

   • Give someone advice. Notice the different spelling for the verb and the noun.
     • Advise + someone + to + infinitive
       • She advised him to see a doctor.
     • Advise + (that) + clause
       • The staff advise that you carry water at all times.
     • Advise + against + verb-ing
       • I'd advise against leaving early.

5. 5. AGREE

   • Agree + to + infinitive
     • We agreed to meet the following day.
   • Agree + (that) + clause
     • I agreed that the children could do their homework later.

6. 6. APOLOGISE

   • Apologise + (to + someone) + for + verb-ing
     • They apologised to us for being late.
   • Apologise (+ to + someone) + for + noun
     • She apologised for the delay.

7. 7. DECIDE

   • Decide + to + infinitive
     • They decided to go to the cinema.
   • Decide + (that) + clause
     • They decided that they would go to the cinema.

8. 8. ENCOURAGE

   • Encourage + someone + to + infinitive
     • She encouraged him to take the exam again.

9. 9. EXPLAIN

   • Explain + (that) + clause
     • The teacher explained that the course was finished.
   • Explain + noun + to + someone
     • She explained the grammar to the students.
   • Explain + question word + to + infinitive
     • They explained how to buy a train ticket on the internet.
   • Explain + question word + clause
     • We explained what the exams would cover.

10. 10. INSIST

    • Insist + on + verb-ing
      • He insisted on paying.
    • Insist + (that) + clause
      • He insisted that we sit down.

11. 11. PROMISE

    • Promise + to + infinitive
      • He promised to arrive early.
    • Promise + (someone) + (that) + clause
      • I promised him that I wouldn't do it again.

12. 12. RECOMMEND

    • Recommend + verb-ing
      • I recommend visiting the British Museum while you're in London.
    • Recommend + (that) + clause
      • I recommend that you visit the British Museum

13. 14. SUGGEST

    • Suggest + verb-ing
      • I suggest leaving soon
    • Suggest + (that) + clause
      • I suggest that you come as soon as you can.

14. 13. REMIND

    • Remind + someone + to + infinitive
      • She reminded him to take his keys.
    • Remind + someone + (that) + clause
      • They reminded me that there is a party tonight.

15. 15. WARN

    • Warn + someone + (not) + to + infinitive
      • I warned them not to go in the water.
    • Warn + someone + about + something
      • She warned us about the dangerous roads.