Exclamations – “Yes/No” short answers – Question tags

Reporting conversations or dialogues

Everyday conversations and dialogues are a mixture of statements, commands and questions. To report these we use: and, as, adding that, and he/she added that, explaining that, because, but, since, so, and then he/she went on to say, while, then etc or the introductory verb in the present participle form. Exclamations such as: Oh!, Ouch!, Oh no! etc are omitted.

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
“Oh, it’s a lovely evening. Shall we go for a walk?” he said.	He said that it was a lovely evening and suggested going for a walk.
“I can’t wear it,” she said. “It’s too tight.”	She said that she couldn’t wear it because it was too tight.
“Let’s take a taxi,” he said. “I want to arrive on time.”	He suggested that they should take a taxi, explaining that he wanted to arrive on time.

Exclamations are replaced in Reported Speech with exclaim, thank, wish, say, cry out in pain etc, give an exclamation of surprise / horror / disgust / delight etc. The exclamation mark becomes a full stop. Exclamatory words such as Oh!, Eek!, Wow!, Oh!, Oh dear!, Well! etc. are omitted in Reported Speech. “Aggh!” she said at the sight of the syringe. – She gave an exclamation of horror at the sight of the syringe.

Yes/No short answers are expressed in Reported Speech with subject + appropriate auxiliary verb or subject + appropriate introductory verb. “Will you tell me?” he said. “No,” she said. – He asked her if she would tell him but she said she wouldn’t. or He asked her if she would tell him but she refused.

Question tags are omitted in Reported Speech. An appropriate introductory verb can be used if we want to retain their effect. “She is still at work, isn’t she?” he said. – He wondered if she was still at work.

Exercise239. Turn the following conversations into Reported Speech.

A) “Carter, when are you taking your holidays this year?” said the manager.

“Actually, I’ve already been on holiday, sir. Don’t you remember? I went on safari in Kenya,” said Carter.

“Oh yes, of course. You went in March, didn’t you?”

“That’s correct, sir,” said Carter.

“Did you enjoy it?” the manager asked.

“Well, I didn’t manage to see many animals. It was very disappointing,” Carter replied.

“Have you got any plans to go back there?” the manager said.

“Well, yes, actually I’ve already booked tickets for next year. I’m going in February. I think it will be a better time for seeing the animals,” said Carter.

“So, we’ll be looking for a new accountant then, if you come face to face with a lion,” said the manager.

... The manager asked Carter when he was taking his holidays that year …

В) “Let’s spend the weekend in Scotland,” said Andrea. “We can find a cheap bed and breakfast in the Highlands.”

“And just what are we going to do all weekend with nothing but sheep for company!” Cathy said.

“I’ll teach you to ski,” said Andrea.

... Andrea suggested spending …

C) “James, have you written to the University of Madrid yet?” Mr. Mills said.

“No, I’m sorry,” said James. “I haven’t had time.”

“There’s no point in apologizing to me, James,” said Mr. Mills. “You see, you must apply early because they fill their places very quickly.”

“The thing is that I’m afraid I won’t pass my Spanish exam,” said James.

“Well, have you been working hard?” said Mr. Mills.

“Yes, I have,” said James, “but I’m much better at French, and I had hoped to apply to Paris.”

“Yes, it’s true you are better at French,” said Mr. Mills. “If I put your name down for the Sorbonne, will you write tonight?”

“Yes sir, I’ll write as soon as I get home,” James promised.

... Mr. Mills asked James if he …

Дата добавления: 2014-12-17