Reported Speech

Reported Speech

1. Reported speech is speech that tells you what someone said, but without using the person's actual words, for example: 'They said you didn't like it'.

2. Reported verbs

   • Say
     • Say+(that)+clause: She said (that) she had already eaten.
   • Tell
     • Tell+someone+(that)+clause: I told John (that) I had seen the new film.
     • When we are reporting orders (tell+someone+to+infinitive): She told the children to go to bed.
   • Ask
     • For questions (ask + someone + if / question word + clause): I asked my boss if I could leave early.
     • For requests (ask + someone + to + infinitive): I asked Lucy to pass me the salt.
   • Advise
     • Give someone advice (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.
   • Agree
     • Agree + to + infinitive: We agreed to meet the following day.
     • Agree + (that) + clause: I agreed that the children could do their homework later.
   • Apologise
     • Apologise + (to + someone) + for + verb-ing: They apologised to us for being late.
     • Apologise (+ to + someone) + for + noun: She apologised for the delay.
   • Decide
     • Decide + to + infinitive: They decided to go to the cinema.
     • Decide + (that) + clause: They decided that they would go to the cinema.
   • Encourage
     • Encourage + someone + to + infinitive: She encouraged him to take the exam again.
   • 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.
   • Insist
     • Insist + on + verb-ing: He insisted on paying.
     • Insist + (that) + clause: He insisted that we sit down.
   • Promise
     • Promise + to + infinitive: He promised to arrive early.
     • Promise + (someone) + (that) + clause: I promised him that I wouldn't do it again.
   • 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
   • 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.
   • Suggest
     • Suggest + verb-ing: I suggest leaving soon.
     • Suggest + (that) + clause: I suggest that you come as soon as you can.
   • 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.