I wonder/I'd like to know/Do you know?/Have you any idea?/Can you tell me?

11 'Do you know where the ticket office is?'

12 ' I wonder what I should do with my heavy luggage.'

Indirect speech: questions
PEG 317

A new student, Paul, has come to the college and the other students are asking him questions. Imagine that he reports these questions later to an English friend:
I Bill asked what country I came from.

1 'What country do you come from?' said Bill.

2 'How long have you been here?' said Ann.

3 'Are you working as well as studying?' asked Peter.

4 'Have you got a work permit?' Bill wanted to know.

5 'What are you going to study?' asked Ann.

6 'Have you enrolled for more than one class?' said Peter.

7 'Do you want to buy any second-hand books?' said Bill.

8 'Have you seen the library?' asked Ann.

9 'Do you play rugby?' said Peter.

10 'Will you have time to play regularly?' he went on.

11 'Did you play for your school team?' said Bill.

12 'Are you interested in acting?' asked Ann.

13 'Would you like to join our Drama Group?' she said.

14 'What do you think of the canteen coffee?' asked Peter.

 

Mary and Tom, with their son, John, aged II, have recently come to this area. Mary wants to find a school for John and asks her neighbour Mrs Smith about the local school.
(a) Later, Mrs Smith reports these questions to her husband:
'Is it a mixed school?'
She asked if it was a mixed school.

(b) Alternatively, supply suitable answers to Mary's questions and then imagine that Mary reports the conversation (her questions and Mrs Smith's answers) to her husband Tom:

36 'Were your boys happy there?' ~
'Yes, they were.'

I asked if her boys had been happy there and she said that they had.

15 'How long has it been a mixed school?'

16 'Do you like the headmaster?'

17 Is he a scientist or an arts graduate?'

18 'How many children are there in the school?'

19 'How big are the classes?'

20 'Are the classes streamed?'

21 'What is the academic standard like?'

22 'Can parents visit the school at any time?'

23 Is there a good art department?'

24 'Do they teach music?'

25 'What instruments can the children learn?'

26 Is there a school orchestra?'

27 'Do they act plays?'

28 'What sort of plays have they done?'

29 'What games do they play?'

30 'Are the playing fields near the school?'

31 'Are they taught to swim?'

32 'Can the children get dinner at school?'

33 Is the food good?'

34 Is there a Parent-Teacher Association?'

35 'How often does it meet?'

36 'Were your own boys happy at the school?'

 

 

Indirect speech: questions
PEG 317

Put the following into indirect speech.

1 'Why are you looking through the keyhole?' I said.

2 'Who put salt in my coffee?' he asked.

3 'Which of you knows how to make Irish stew?' said the chief cook.

4 'Why did you travel first class?' I asked him.

5 'How can I run in high-heeled shoes?' she enquired.

6 'What is your new house like?' I asked them.

7 He said, 'Where am I supposed to go now?' (Omit now.)

8 'Whose car did you borrow last night?' I said to him.

9 'What was she wearing when you saw her last?' the policeman asked me.

10 'Who owns this revolver?' said the detective.

11 'Where were you last night, Mr Jones?' he said.

12 'What else did you see?' I asked the boy.

13 'Have you done this sort of work before?' said his new employer.

14 'Can you read the last line on the chart?' the oculist asked her.

15 'Did they understand what you said to them?' he asked me.

16 'Are you being attended to, sir?' said the shop assistant.

17 'Will you go on strike when the others do?' the shop steward asked him.

18 'Do you see what I see, Mary?' said the young man.

19 'Who left the banana skin on the front doorstep?' said my mother.

20 'Have you gone completely mad?' I asked. 'Do you want to blow us all up?'

21 'Why is your house so full of antiques?' she asked. 'Was your father a collector?'

22 'Are you leaving today or tomorrow morning?' said his secretary.

23 'How far is it?' I said, 'and how long will it take me to get there?'

24 'Could I speak to Mrs Pitt?' said the caller.
I'm afraid she's out,' said the au pair girl. 'Could I take a message?'

25 'Are you sorry for what you did?' the mother asked the little boy.

26 'Are you going to see him off at the station?' I asked her.

27 'Would you mind if I looked inside your bag, Madam?' said the policeman.

28 If someone fell at your feet foaming at the mouth would you know what to do?' said the instructor in First Aid.

29 'Why do you think it may be dangerous?' he asked her.

30 'Do you know that the shoes you are wearing aren't a pair?' I asked him.

 

Indirect speech: commands, requests, advice expressed by object + infinitive

PEG 320

Indirect commands, requests, etc. are normally expressed by tell, order, ask, beg, advise, remind, warn, etc., with the person addressed and the infinitive. Change the following direct commands into indirect commands using this construction. Remember that the
person addressed is often not mentioned in a direct command:

He said, 'Go away',

but must be mentioned in an indirect command:
He told me (Tom/us/them, etc.) to go away.

1 'Switch off the TV,' he said to her.

2 'Shut the door, Tom,' she said.

3 'Lend me your pen for a moment,' I said to Mary.

4 'Don't watch late-night horror movies,' I warned them.

5 'Don't believe everything you hear,' he warned me.

6 'Please fill up this form,' the secretary said.

7 'Don't hurry,' I said.

8 'Don't touch that switch, Mary,' I said.

9 'Open the safe!' the raiders ordered the bank clerk.

10 'Please do as I say,' he begged me.

11 'Help your mother, Peter,' Mr Pitt said.

12 'Don't make too much noise, children,' he said.

13 'Do whatever you like,' she said to us.

14 'Don't miss your train,' she warned them.

15 'Read it before you sign it,' he said to his client.

16 'Do sing it again,' he said.

17 'Don't put your hands near the bars,' the zoo keeper warned us.

18 'Buy a new car,' I advised him.

19 'Don't drive too fast,' she begged him.

20 'Don't lean your bicycles against my windows, boys,' said the shopkeeper.

21 'Come to the cinema with me,' he asked her.

22 'Cook it in butter,' I advised her.

23 'Don't touch the gates, madam,' said the lift operator.

24 'Don't argue with me,' the teacher said to the boy.

25 'Pull as hard as you can,' he said to him.

26 'Send for the Fire Brigade,' the manager said to the porter.

27 'Don't lend her anything,' he advised us.

28 'Make a list of what you want,' she told us.

29 'Look at the paper,' he said to her.

30 'Stand clear of the doors,' a voice warned the people on the platform.

31 'See if you can find any mushrooms, children,' she said.

32 'Don't go alone,' I warned her.

33 'Pay at the cash desk, 'the shop assistant said to the customer.

34 The notice said, 'Leave this space clear.'

35 'Remember to write to your mother, 'I said to them.

36 'Think well before you answer,' the detective warned her.

 

 

Indirect speech: commands, requests, advice

PEG 320
See note to 90.

Put the following into indirect speech. In most cases the person addressed must be supplied.

1 He said, 'Get out of my way.'

2 'Climb in through the window,' he ordered.

3 'Please pay at the desk,' said the assistant.

4 'Open your bag, please,' said the store detective.

5 'Don't worry about anything, Mrs Pitt,' said her solicitor. 'Leave it all to me.'

6 'Don't use bent coins in a slot machine,' I warned him.

7 'Follow that car,' the detective said to the taxi-driver.

8 'Wash it in lukewarm water,' recommended the assistant.

9 'Have confidence in me,' urged the doctor.

10 'Take me up to the 33rd floor,' he said to the liftman.

11 'Read the notice about life-saving equipment,' advised the air-hostess.

12 'Always cook with butter,' said her mother, 'never use margarine.'

13 'Don't argue with your father,' I said.

14 'Remember to prune the roses,' said my aunt.

15 'Wait for me at the bridge,' said the young man.

16 'Don't eat too much starch,' I advised her, 'and avoid fried food.'

17 'Don't say anything to make her angry,' said my father.

18 Notice: Please do not ask at the desk for change for telephone calls.

19 'Don't forget to feed the goldfish,' Mary said to her brother.

20 'Cross the line by the footbridge,' said the porter.

21 'Write to me as often as you can,' said his wife.

22 'Put your pistol on the table,' said the crook.

23 'Please book me a seat in a non-smoker,' said the traveller.

24 'Don't forget your sandwiches,' said his mother.

25 'Don't go near the water, children,' she said.

26 'Search the house,' said the police sergeant.

27 'Don't make mountains out of molehills,' he said.

28 'Put down that gun. It's loaded,' she warned.

Indirect speech: commands, requests, advice
PEG 320

See note to 90.

Put the following into indirect speech, joining the sentences together with as, and, but or for.

1 'Make good use of your time. You won't get such an opportunity again,' he said to us.

2 'Don't wait till tomorrow,' said the advertisement, 'post the coupon at once.'

3'Be very careful crossing roads,' she said, 'and remember to drive on the right.'

4 1 can't open it. You have a try, Peter,' he said.

5 'Go and get me a paper, and come straight back,' he said to me.

6 'Someone's coming. Get into the cupboard,' she said.

7 'Give way to traffic approaching from your right,' the road sign warned us.

8 'Please, please send whatever you can spare,' said the secretary of the disaster fund.

9 'Wear a wig if you don't want to be recognized,' I advised him.

10 'Don't bathe when the red flag is flying,' said the lifeguard.

11 'Don't forget to thank Mrs Jones when you are saying goodbye to her,' said his mother.

12 'Watch the milk and don't let it boil over,' he said.

13 'Don't shelter under a tree in a thunderstorm,' he said. The tree might be struck by lightning.'

14 'Put the message into a bottle and throw it into the sea,' he said.

15 'Read it for yourself if you don't believe what I say,' he told me.

16 'Don't forget to use your indicators,' said the driving instructor.

17 'Don't drive too fast or the baby 11 be sick,' she said to her husband.

18 'Do make the coffee a bit stronger,' I begged. It was terribly weak last night.'

19 'Beware of pickpockets,' said a huge notice.

20 'Smell this. Do you think it has gone bad?' she said.

21 'Don't take your coat off. We are going out again in a moment, she told him.

22 'Stand by the window and tell me if anyone goes into the house opposite,' he said.

23 'Don't move till the policeman waves you on,' said the driving instructor.

24 'Don't touch it. You will only make it worse, 'he told me.

25 'Be careful; the steps are very slippery,' I warned him.

26 'Ask your boss to ring me back,' I said. 'My number is 1234567.'
'Could you repeat that, please?' said the girl.

27 'Don't work too fast,' said the foreman. If we finish before six we shan't get any overtime.'

28 'Prepare to meet your doom. The end of the world is at hand,' said the placard.

29 'Remember to put the brake on,' the instructor said.

30 'Would you please take off your shoes?' Keiko said to him.

Indirect speech: commands, requests, invitations, offers, advice

PEG 284-7, 318-20

Put the following into indirect speech using ask, advise, invite, offer, remind, tell, warn.

1 'Would you like to have lunch with me on Sunday?' he said to me.

2 'Would you like a cigarette?' said one of the guests.

3 'Would you mind not smoking between courses?' said their hostess.

4 Take these letters to the post, will you? And shut the door as you out,' said the boss.

5 'Will you help me, please?' she said. 1 can't reach the top shelf.'

6 'This is a horrible room. Why don't you ask for something better?' he said.

7 If I were you I'd try to get a room on the top floor,' he said.

8 I'll wait for you if you like,' she said.

9 'Remember to switch off when you've finished,' he said.

10 'You might check these figures for me,' he said.

11 'You'd better apologize for being late,' said my mother.

12 'Could you check the oil, please?' I asked the mechanic.

13 1 wish you'd sit still!' said the artist. 'How do you expect me to paint you when you keep jerking your head?'

14 'Why don't you go by train? It's much less tiring than driving,' I said.

15 Hotel notice:-Will guests please not play radios loudly after midnight?

16 'Would you like to wait here?' said the receptionist, showing me into the waiting room.

17 'You must see this exhibition!' said all my friends.

18 1 should plant daffodils, if I were you,' I said to them.

19 If you'd just sign the back of the cheque,' said the bank clerk.

20 I'd be very grateful if you'd forward my letters while I am away,' he said.

21 Police announcement: Will anyone who saw this accident please get in touch with their nearest police station?

22 'Don't leave your room at night,' he said. 'Our host's dogs might mistake you for a burglar.'

23 'Answer this letter for me, will you?' he said. 'And remember to keep a copy.'

24 'Would you mind moving your car?' he said. It's blocking my gate.'

25 (in a letter) 'Perhaps you'd let me know when your new stock comes in.' (Mrs Jones...)

26 Notice on board: The first team will report to the gymnasium for weight-training.

(The coach...)

27 'Could you sew on this button for me?' Tom asked Ann.
'You'd better sew it on yourself,' said Mary. 'Buttons sewn on by Ann usually come off the next day.'

28 If you will kindly sit down the fortune-teller will be with you in a moment,' the girl said.

Indirect speech: questions, requests, invitations, offers, advice

PEG 284-7, 318-20, 323

Remember that Why don't you? can be an ordinary question or advice/suggestion.

Treat it here as advice.

Put the following into indirect speech.

1 'Could you get there and back in one day?' I asked. (I asked if he...)

2 1 can't open this tin,' said Ann. 'Shall I do it for you?' said Tom.

3 'Could you translate this for me, please?' I asked the official.

4 'Shall we ever meet again?' he wondered.

5 'Will you be here tomorrow?' she asked. 'Yes,' I answered.

6 'Could I lose five kilos in a week?' said the fat woman. 'No,' said the doctor.

7 'Will you have a drink?' he said.

8 'Why don't you install gas central heating?' said the advertisement. (urge)

9 'Will you read this very carefully, please?' he said to me.

10 'Shall I tell him what happened?' she asked me.

11 'Wouldn't you like to look ten years younger?' said the hairdresser.

12 I'm going to Brighton tomorrow,' said Ann.
'So am I,' said Tom. 'Would you like a lift?' (Tom said he was too and...)

13 'Can I have a sweet?' said the small boy.

14 'Can we stay up till the end of the programme?' said the children.

15 'Could I have the weekend off?' he asked his boss.

16 'Could I leave early on Friday?' he said.

17 'Why don't you like pop music?' the teenagers asked him.

18 'Why don't you take up the oboe again?' said my friends, (advise)

19 'Where shall I hang my new picture?' he said. 'Would it look well over the mantelpiece?'

20 'What shall I do if the car won't start?' I said.

21 'Have you got enough money? Shall I lend you some?' said my friend.

22 'Will you be able to guide me or shall I bring a map?' I asked.

23 'You won't forget to shut the door, will you?' she said. (remind)

24 'Would you like to see over the house?' I asked her.

25 'Would you like to peel the potatoes?' said Ann, handing me a knife.

26 I've got two tickets. Would you like to come with me?' he said.

27 'Can you use a word processor?' he asked. 'No,' I said.

28 'Would you mind living by yourself for six months?' they asked.

29 'Would you mind paying cash?' said my landlady when I took out my cheque-book.

30 'Why don't you trust him?' I asked Ann.
1 never trust left-handed men,' she answered.

Indirect speech: commands and questions with if- clauses and time clauses

PEG 229, 320-1

Questions with if- clauses and time clauses should be reported with the if- clause or time clause last.
'When/If I see him, what shall I say?' she asked.
She asked what she should say when/if she saw him.

Commands can be reported by tell + infinitive + if- clause/time clause.

But sometimes (as in nos. 5 and 10 below) this would produce a rather clumsy sentence. It is then advisable to use say/said that + if - clause/time clause + be/should + infinitive:
'If When you see him, ask him to ring me,' she said.
She said that if/when I saw him I was to ask him to ring her.
was to expresses a definite command; should implies advice.

Put the following into indirect speech.

1 He said, 'When you are at the butcher's remember to get a bone for the dog.'

2 She said, If you feel faint sit down and put your head between your knees.'

3 If I find your purse what shall I do with it?' he said.

'Keep it till you see me again,' I replied.

4 She said, If he arrives before I get back give him something to drink.'

5 If anyone rings up,' she said, 'say that I'll be back shortly.'

6 'When you are driving always look in your driving mirror before turning right,' said my instructor.

7 'Leave the key under the mat if you go out,' she said.

8 If you think the room is cold shut the windows,' said my aunt.

9 If you feel lonely any time ring me up,' he said.

10 If she doesn't eat meat, offer her an omelette,' he said.

11 'Get the car off the road on to the verge if you have a puncture.
Don't leave it on the road,' said my father.

12 If I am not back by this time tomorrow, take this letter to the police,' he said.

13 'When you see Mrs Pitt don't forget to thank her,' she said to her husband.

14 'When the bell rings take the meat out of the oven,' my sister said.

15 If you are taken prisoner,' said the officer, 'give your name, rank and number but refuse to answer any other questions.'

16 'When you hear the fire alarm, shut all windows and go downstairs as quickly as possible,' said the schoolmaster.

17 If the lift should stop between two floors press the emergency button,' he said.

18 'Before you allow anyone to use the Turkish bath remember to ask him if he has a weak heart,' said the senior attendant.

19 If the police stop me, what shall I say?' she asked.

20 'What shall I do if he refuses to let me in?' she said.
'Write a note and push it under the door,' I said.

21 'What will happen if the strike continues?' he said.

22 If it goes on snowing, how'll we get food?' wondered the housewives.

23 'When the rain stops, can we go out?' said the children.

24 'When you've completed one section, go on to the next,' the teacher said.

25 If you don't like the programme, switch to another channel,' I said I to her.

26 If I lose my traveller's cheques, will the bank repay me?' I asked.

27 If the noise gets worse, you'd better complain to the police,' he said to me.

28 'As soon as you find a hotel, ring me and give me the address,' he said.

Indirect speech: suggestions
PEG 289 D, 322

Part I Write the following in indirect speech, in ordinary narrative form.

Ann suggested having a party on the next Saturday. Mary agreed and asked who they should invite.

Report 'Why don't we...?' as a suggestion and 'Why don't you...?'
as suggestion or advice. Report 'Why not?' in no. 9 as agreed.

1 Ann: What about having a party on Saturday?

2 Mary: Yes, let's. Who shall we invite?

3 Ann: Let's not make a list. Let's just invite everybody.

4 Mary: We don't want to do too much cooking, so what about making it a wine and

cheese party?

5 Ann: Suppose we ask everybody to bring a bottle?

6 Mary: Shall we hire glasses from our local wine shop? We haven't many left.

7 Ann: If it's warm, how about having the party in the garden?

8 Mary: Why not have a barbecue?

9 Ann: Why not? We could ask Paul to do the cooking.

10 Mary: Last time we had a barbecue the neighbours complained about the noise. Shall

we ask everyone to speak in whispers?

11 Ann: Suppose we go round to the neighbours and apologize in advance this time?

12 Mary: Why not invite the neighbours? Then the noise won't matter.

13 Ann: What a clever idea! Shall we start ringing everyone up tonight?

14 Mary: What about working out how much it will cost first?

Part 2 Put the following into indirect speech.

15 'What about a round-the-world cruise?' suggested Mrs Smith.
'What about renting a caravan? It's all we can afford,' said her husband.

16 'Suppose you complain, Ann?' I said. 'The boss is more likely to listen to you than to any of us.'

17 'You used to be a good tennis player,' she reminded him. 'Why don't you take it up again?'

18 'Shall we talk there? It's not far,' he said. 'Yes, let's,' I said.

19 'What about joining a weaving class?' Ann said to me. 'There's one starting soon.'

20 'Let's organize a sponsored cycle race,' said the children.
'What about a sponsored silence?' said the teacher with a grin.

21 'Where shall we meet?' I said. 'What about the hotel?' said Bill.

22 'Suppose you ring him, Ann, and ask him what he thinks of the idea?' I said.

23 I'm doing most of the work,' I pointed out. 'What about giving me a hand?'

24 'Let's leave the washing-up till tomorrow,' he suggested. I hate washing up last thing

at night.'

25 'Suppose the children go on an adventure holiday this summer?' suggested the father.

26 'Why don't you ask them what they'd like to do?' I said.

27 'Shall we begin training for the next London Marathon?' said Bill.
'I've no intention of running in marathons,' I said. 'Why don't you ask Paul?'

28 'Why don't you put an advertisement in the local paper?' they suggested to me.

Indirect speech: mixed types
PEG chapter 31 (note especially 324)

Put the following into indirect speech, avoiding as far as possible the verbs say, ask and tell and choosing instead from the following:
accept, accuse, admit, advise, agree, apologize, assure, beg, call (=summon), call (+noun/pronoun+noun), complain, congratulate, deny, exclaim, explain, give, hope, insist, introduce, invite, offer, point out, promise, protest, refuse, remark, remind, suggest, thank, threaten, warn, wish.

1 He said, 'Don't walk on the ice; it isn't safe.'

2 'Miss Brown, this is Miss White. Miss White, Miss Brown,' he said.

3 'Here are the car keys. You'd better wait in the car,' he said to her.

4 'Please, please, don't tell anyone,' she said.
I won't, I promise,' I said.

5 'Would you like my torch?' I said, holding it out.
'No, thanks,' he said. I have one of my own.' {Omit thanks)

6 Tom: I'll pay.

Ann: Oh no, you mustn't!
Tom: I insist on paying!

7 'Come in and look round. There's no obligation to buy,' said the shopkeeper.

8 If you don't pay the ransom, we'll kill the boy,' said the kidnappers.

9 I won't answer any questions,' said the arrested man.

10 'He expects a lot of work for very little money,' complained one of the typists.
'Yes, he does,' agreed the other.

11 I wish it would rain,' she said.

12 'You pressed the wrong button,' said the mechanic. 'Don't do it again. You might have a nasty accident.'

13 'Your weight's gone up a lot!' I exclaimed.
'I'm afraid it has,' she said sadly.

14 1 hope you'll have a good journey,' he said. 'Don't forget to send a card when you arrive.'

15 'Hurrah! I've passed the first exam!' he exclaimed.
'Congratulations!' I said, 'and good luck with the second.'

16 'All right, I'll wait a week,' she said. (Omit all right)

17 'Many happy returns of your birthday!' we said.
'Thanks,' said the boy.

18 'Your door is the shabbiest in the street, 'said the neighbour.
It is,' I said.

19 'Cigarette?'-
'Thanks,' I said.

20 I'll sell the TV set if you keep quarrelling about the programme,' said their mother.
'No, don't do that! We won't quarrel any more,' said the children.

21 I'll give you Ј500 to keep your mouth shut,' he said to me.

22 I'll wait for you, I promise,' he said to me.

23 I'm sorry I'm late,' she said. 'The bus broke down.'

24 'You've been leaking information to the Press!' said his colleagues.
'No, I haven't,' he said. 'Liar!' said Tom.

25 I'll drop you from the team if you don't train harder,' said the captain.

26 If the boys do anything clever, you call them your sons,' complained his wife. 'But if they do anything stupid, you call them mine.'

27 'Let's have a rest,' said Tom.
'Yes, let's,' said Ann.

28 'Ugh! There's a slug in my lettuce. Waiter!' he cried.

 

Indirect to direct speech
PEG 307-22

Put the following into direct speech, using dialogue form:
Tom: Would you like to come for a drive tomorrow, Ann?
Ann: I'd love to etc.