Page 172 - English Grammar - IX-X

TYPES OF REPORTED SPEECH REPORTED SPEECH
TYPES OF
When we use reported speech, we either report in statements, questions, requests, or
commands.

Reporting Statements
When we report a statement, we change the following things.
• Pronouns • Tenses

For example: He said, “I am tired.” (direct)

He said that he was tired. (reported)
Reporting Questions

When we report a question, we change pronouns and tenses. There are also other changes
between direct questions and reported questions.

³ Yes/No questions are reported by using ‘ask’ + ‘if/whether’.
For example: “Do you speak English?” (direct)
He asked me if I spoke English. (reported)

³ The question word is reported by using ‘ask’ + ‘question word’.
For example: “What is your name?” he asked me. (direct)

He asked me what my name was. (reported)
Reporting Requests and Commands

When we report a request and a command, we change the following things.
• Pronouns • Place and Time expressions

Command and request are usually reported using the infinitive.

Requests: In reported request, the word ‘said’ is substituted with ‘ask’ or 'request'.
For example: John said to me, “Lend me your pen, please.” (direct)

John requested me to lend him my pen. (reported)

Command: In reported command, the word ‘said’ is substituted with either ‘ask’ or ‘advise’.
For example: I said to him, “Obey your parents.” (direct)

I advised him to obey his parents. (reported)

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