Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 48 · B1

Reported speech 2

If what was said is still true, the verb can stay in the present; if it has changed, or was never true, use the past. Tell needs a person after it, say does not; tell or ask somebody to do something.

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 23 minutes

In this lesson

When the verb does not have to changeA1 screen of questions
When what was said is not trueB2 screens of questions
say and tellC3 screens of questions
tell somebody to, ask somebody toD2 screens of questions

Point A of 4

When the verb does not have to change

If the situation is still the same, you do not have to move the verb into the past. Moving it is also correct.

If the situation has changed or finished, you must use the past.

  • Kemi said, "My new job is dull."
  • Kemi said that her new job is dull. (it is still dull now)
  • Kemi said that her new job was dull.
  • Harry told me he wants to go to Iceland next year. (he still wants to)
  • Harry grabbed his coat and rushed off. He said he was late for work. (not is late)

Point A · Extra practice

Report what each person said. Where the situation is still the same, the verb can stay in the present.

  1. Kemi said, "My job is boring." (She still has the job.) Kemi said her job boring.

  2. Harry said, "I want to visit Iceland next year." Harry told me he to visit Iceland next year.

  3. Liam grabbed his coat and said, "I'm late for work." Liam said he late for work.

Point B of 4

When what was said is not true

Switch to the past when the original statement has turned out to be wrong.

A few days ago Nadine told you, "Have you heard? Pete's in hospital." That afternoon you bump into Pete in the supermarket, holding a family-size trifle and looking the picture of health. You say: "Pete! Nadine told me you were ill." The present would be absurd, because he very obviously is not.

  • Nadine told me you were ill. (not you are ill)

Point B · Exercise 48.1 · part 1 of 2

Earlier, Hayley told you: "I haven't got any brothers or sisters. I've never been to Scotland. I can't swim. I don't like curry. Dawn has a very well-paid job. I'm working tomorrow night. Dawn is a friend of mine. Liam is lazy." Now she says something different. Answer her, beginning But you said ...

  1. Example

    Hayley: Liam works really hard.

    But you said he was lazy.

    AnswerBut you said he was lazy.

  2. Hayley: Let's get a curry tonight.

  3. Hayley: I'm going swimming later.

  4. Hayley: Dawn is always skint.

  5. Hayley: My brother lives in Manchester.

Point B · Exercise 48.1 · part 2 of 2

Earlier, Hayley told you: "I haven't got any brothers or sisters. I've never been to Scotland. I can't swim. I don't like curry. Dawn has a very well-paid job. I'm working tomorrow night. Dawn is a friend of mine. Liam is lazy." Now she says something different. Answer her, beginning But you said ...

  1. Hayley: I loved Edinburgh when I went.

  2. Hayley: Let's go out tomorrow night.

  3. Hayley: I've never spoken to Dawn.

Point C of 4

say and tell

If you say who somebody was talking to, use tell: tell somebody something.

Otherwise use say. You can also say something to somebody.

  • Nadine told me that you were ill. (not Nadine said me)
  • What did you tell the manager? (not say the manager)
  • Nadine said that you were ill. (not Nadine told that)
  • What did you say?
  • Jess waved goodbye to us and drove off. (not Jess said us goodbye)
  • What did you say to the manager?

Point C · Exercise 48.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences with say or tell in the right form. Use one word each time.

  1. Example

    Jess said goodbye to me and left.

    AnswerJess said goodbye to me and left.

  2. us about your trip. Was it good?

  3. Don't just stand there gawping. something!

  4. I wonder where Paula is. She she'd be here by seven.

  5. Ash me that he was fed up with his job.

Point C · Exercise 48.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences with say or tell in the right form. Use one word each time.

  1. The physio that I should rest my knee for a fortnight.

  2. Gav couldn't help. He me to ask Colin.

  3. Gav couldn't help. He to ask Colin.

  4. Don't anybody what I . It's just between us.

Point C · Exercise 48.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences with say or tell in the right form. Use one word each time.

  1. "Did Ruth you what happened?" "No, she didn't a word to me."

Point D of 4

tell somebody to, ask somebody to

The patterns are tell somebody to ... and ask somebody to ..., with not to for the negative.

somebody said (not) to do something also works, though said me to never does.

  • "Drink plenty of fluids," the nurse said to me.
  • The nurse told me to drink plenty of fluids.
  • "Don't overdo it," I said to Mike.
  • I told Mike not to overdo it.
  • "Could you give me a hand, please?" Erin said to me.
  • Erin asked me to give her a hand.
  • Dad said not to wait up for him. (but not Dad said me)

Point D · Exercise 48.3 · part 1 of 2

These are things people said: "Please don't leave without me." "That's none of your business." "Please turn the music down!" "Could you show me your ticket, please?" "Don't panic, Ruth." "Get a move on!" "Will you be my business partner?" "Could you lend me a hand with the boxes, Sam?" Use one to complete each sentence in reported speech.

  1. Example

    Will was taking ages and the taxi was waiting, so I told him to get a move on.

    AnswerWill was taking ages and the taxi was waiting, so I told him to get a move on.

  2. My neighbour's music was deafening, so I asked .

  3. Ruth thought she'd lost her passport. I told .

  4. There were dozens of boxes to carry, so I .

  5. The inspector came down the train and .

Point D · Exercise 48.3 · part 2 of 2

These are things people said: "Please don't leave without me." "That's none of your business." "Please turn the music down!" "Could you show me your ticket, please?" "Don't panic, Ruth." "Get a move on!" "Will you be my business partner?" "Could you lend me a hand with the boxes, Sam?" Use one to complete each sentence in reported speech.

  1. A stranger asked how much I earned, so I .

  2. Carl admired Maria's ideas so much that he .

  3. Helen was afraid we'd go to the concert without her, so she .

Lesson 48 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Questions 1Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. When the verb does not have to change–Not checkedB. When what was said is not true–Not checkedC. say and tell–Not checkedD. tell somebody to, ask somebody to–Not checked