It is not always necessary to change the verb when you use reported speech. If you report. something and it is still true, you do not need to change the verb:
* direct: Tom said 'New York is more lively than London.'
reported: Tom said that New York is more lively than London.
(New York is still more lively. The situation hasn't changed.)
* direct: Ann said 'I want to go to New York next year.'
reported: Ann said that she wants to go to New York next year.
(Ann still wants to go to New York next year.)
Note that it is also correct to change the verb into the past:
* Tom said that New York was more lively than London.
* Ann said that she wanted to go to New York next year.
But you must use a past form when there is a difference between what was said and what is really true. Study this example situation:
You met Sonia a few days ago.
She said: 'Jim is ill.' (direct speech)
Later that day you see Jim. He is looking well and carrying a tennis racket.
You say: 'I didn't expect to see you, Jim. Sonia said you were ill.
(not 'Sonia said you are ill', because clearly he is not ill.)
Say and tell
If you say who you are talking to, use tell:
* Sonia told me that you were ill. (not 'Sonia said me')
* What did you tell the police? (not 'say the police')
Otherwise use say:
* Sonia said that you were ill. (not 'Sonia told that ...')
* What did you say?
But you can say something to somebody':
* Ann said goodbye to me and left. (not 'Ann said me goodbye')
* What did you say to the police?
Tell/ask somebody to do something
We also use the infinitive (to do/to stay etc.) in reported speech, especially with tell and ask (for orders and requests):
* direct: 'Stay in bed for a few days,' the doctor said to me.
reported: The doctor told me to stay in bed for a few days.
* direct: 'Don't shout,' I said to Jim.
reported: I told Jim not to shout.
* direct: 'Please don't tell anybody what happened,' Ann said to me.
reported: Ann asked me not to tell anybody what (had) happened.
'... said to do something' is also possible:
* The doctor said to stay in bed for a few days. (but not 'The doctor said me ...')
EXERCISES
47.1 Here are some things that Ann said to you:
I've never been to the United States.
I don't have any brothers or sisters.
Dave is lazy.
I don't like fish.
I can't drive.
Jane is a friend of mine
I'm working tomorrow evening.
Jane has a very well-paid job.
But later Ann says something different to you. What do you say?
1. Dave works very hard.
_But you said he was lazy._
2. Let's have fish for dinner.
3. I'm going to buy a car.
4. Jane is always short of money.
5. My sister lives in London.
6. I think New York is a fantastic place.
7. Let's go out tomorrow evening.
8. I've never spoken to Jane.
47.2 Complete the sentences with say or tell (in the correct form). Use only one word each time.
1. Ann said goodbye to me and left.
2. --- us about your holiday. Did you have a nice time?
3. Don't just stand there! --- something!
4. I wonder where Sue is. She --- she would be here at 8 o'clock.
5. Jack --- me that he was fed up with his job.
6. The doctor --- that I should rest for at least a week.
7. Don't --- anybody what I --- It's a secret just between us.
8. 'Did she --- you what happened?' 'No, she didn't --- anything to me.'
9. George couldn't help me. He --- me to ask Kate.
10. George couldn't help me. He --- to ask Kate.
47.3 The following sentences are direct speech:
Don't wait for me if I'm late.
Will you marry me?
Hurry up!
Can you open your bag, please?
Mind your own business
Please slow down!
Could you repeat what you said,.please?
Don't worry, sue.
Do you think you could give me a hand, Tom?
Now choose one of these to complete each sentence below. Use reported speech.
1. Bill was taking a long time to get ready, so I _told him to hurry up._
2. Sarah was driving too fast, so I asked ---
3. Sue was very pessimistic about the situation. I told ---
4. I couldn't move the piano alone, so I ---
5. The customs officer looked at me suspiciously and ---
6. I had difficulty understanding him, so I ---
7. I didn't want to delay Ann, so I ---
8. John was very much in love with Mary, so he ---
9. He started asking me personal questions, so ---
47.1
2 But you said you didn't like fish.
3 But you said you couldn't drive.
4 But you said Jane had a very well-paid job.
5 But you said you didn't have any brothers or sisters.
6 But you said you had never been to the United States.
7 But you said you were working tomorrow evening.
8 But you said Jane was a friend of yours.
47.2
2 Tell 3 Say 4 said
5 told 6 said
7 tell ... said
8 tell ... say
9 told 10 said
47.3
2 her to slow down.
3 her not to worry.
4 asked Tom to give me a hand.
5 asked me to open my bag.
6 asked him to repeat what he (had) said.
7 told her not to wait for me if I was late.
8 asked her to marry him.
9 I told him to mind his own business.
