12.2 PASSING ON INFORMATION

REACTION AND DECISIONS
1. Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing
  1. Stating an opinion
    1. In my opinion...
    2. The way I see it...
    3. If you want my honest opinion....
    4. According to Lisa...
    5. As far as I'm concerned...
  2. Asking for an opinon
    1. What's your idea?
    2. What are your thoughts on all of this?
    3. How do you feel about that?
    4. Do you have anything to say about this?
    5. What do you think?
    6. Do you agree?
    7. Wouldn't you say?
  3. Expressing agreement
    1. I couldn't agree with you more.
    2. That's so true.
    3. You're absolutely right.
    4. That's exactly how I feel.
    5. I'm afraid I agree with James.
    6. Exactly.
  4. Expressing disagreement
    1. I don't think so.
    2. I'm afraid I disagree.
    3. I beg to differ.
    4. (strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
    5. That's not always true.
    6. No, I'm not so sure about that.
  5. Interruptions
    1. Can I add something here?
    2. Is it okay if I jump in for a second?
    3. If I might add something...
    4. Can I throw my two cents in?
REPORTED SPEECH
1. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.
  1. Statements
    1. When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:
      1. pronouns
      2. present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
      3. place and time expressions
      4. tenses (backshift)
      5. Type
        direct speech
        “I speak English.”
        reported speech (no backshift)
        He says that he speaks English.
        reported speech (backshift)
        He said that he spoke English.
  2. Questions
    1. When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
      1. pronouns
      2. present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
      3. place and time expressions
      4. tenses (backshift)
      5. Also note that you have to:
        transform the question into an indirect question
        use the interrogative or if / whether
      6. Type
        with interrogative
        direct speech
        “Why don’t you speak English?”
        reported speech
        He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
        without interrogative
        direct speech
        “Do you speak English?”
        reported speech
        He asked me whether / if I spoke English.
  3. Requests
    1. When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
      1. pronouns
      2. place and time expressions
      3. Type
        direct speech
        “Carol, speak English.“
        reported speech
        He told Carol to speak English.
2. Additional Information and Exeptions
  1. Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example:
    1. main clauses connected with and / but
    2. tense of the introductory clause
    3. reported speech for difficult tenses
    4. exeptions for backshift
    5. requests with must, should, ought to and let’s

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12.2 PASSING ON INFORMATION

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	Created by Adelaida Granados over 8 years ago