Page 282 - Oxford_English_Grammar_Course_Basic_2015

present reporting verbs She says she comes from London.

After present verbs (for example she says, I think) we don't change the tenses.

DIRECT SPEECH: 'Well, yes, I come from London' 'Funny-you have a Scottish accent.'
INDIRECT SPEECH: She says she comes from London, but I think she has a Scottish accent.

Complete the indirect speech sentences.
► 'I'm Irish.' He says . . ^ h:.............................................

► 'Where is Peter?' She wants to know . . r..t'?.:...................

► 'Did John phone?' I don't know ...........................
1 'We live in Greece.' They say...............................................................

2 'I went to Belfast yesterday.' She says................................................................
3 'I've been ill.' He says..................................................................
4 'It's going to rain.' She thinks.............................................................
5 'I'll ask my sister.' She says................................................................
6 'We're going to be rich.' They believe.........................................................
7 'Is lunch ready?' He wants to know.................................................

8 'Where did I put my keys?' I don't remember..................................................
9 'I'm getting a cold.' I hink....................................................................
t
10 'This is the right answer.' I know....................................................................

We can ask questions politely by saying Doyou know...? or Can you tell me...?+ indirect question.

Where does she live? —>■ Do you know where she lives7 Is he at home? —►Can you tell me if he's at home?
6 Rewrite the questions.

► What does this word mean? Do you know w h frtthls word ......
► Is there a lesson today? Can you tell me ..[f . J?.!■ $£ ?.?}* '.?.

1 Where can I buy tickets? Can you...........................................................

2 How much does it cost? Do...................................................................
3 Has John phoned? Can..................................................................
4 Must I pay now? Can..................................................................
5 Does Maria like steak? Can..................................................................
6 Where did I park the car? D o...................................................................

We can also use indirect questions in answers.
Sorry, I don't know where she lives. I can't remember if he's married.

^ Don't give the answers! But write sentences beginning / know, I don't know, I'd like to know,
I don't want to know, I don't care or / can't remember.

► Who built the EiffelTower? . . ! ?.j? P.^ ^ k T................................................

1 What languages do Irish people speak? ...........................................................................................

2 What do elephants eat? .....................................
3 Does the British Museum open on Christmas Day?

4 Was King William II a tall man?
5 Do birds dream? .................

In some answers, both contracted forms (for example I'm, don't) and full INDIRECT SPEECH 267
forms (for example lam, do not) are possible. Normally both are correct.