April 29, 2009 ASSIGNMENT
Indirect Speech
Questions
Questions in indirect speech are expressed as statements.
Direct: Peter asked, “Where does Tanya live?”
Indirect: Peter asked where Tanya lived.
Questions in indirect speech which are not introduced by a
question word require the introduction of whether or if.
Peter asked, “Does Tanya live near here?”
Peter asked whether Tanya lived near here.
Peter asked if Tanya lived near here.
A .Change the following sentences to indirect speech.
1. I asked the clerk, “How much does this cost?”
(I asked the clerk how much this cost.)
2. Mr. Carter asked me, “Where are you going?”
3. Amy asked, “Are you going to eat in the cafeteria?”
4. Roz asked, “Did you mail that letter for me?”
5. Della asked me, “Where are you going on your vacation?”
6. I asked her, “Do you like my new hat?”
7. He asked me, “How are you today?”
8. I asked the storekeeper, “What is the price of this tie?”
9. She asked me, “How are you today?”
[Link] asked her, “What time is it?”
[Link] passenger asked, “When do we land?”
[Link] he asked, “Does it take longer to go by bus or by
train?”
[Link] asked me, “What time is it?”
[Link] asked me, “How long have you studied English?”
April 30, 2009 ASSIGNMENT
B. Choose the correct form.
1. She asked me where ___________ (was I, I was) going.
(She asked me where I was going.)
2. I don’t know what (is his name, his name is).
3. Ask him what time (is it, it is).
4. The mail carrier wants to know where (she lives, does she
live).
5. He asked me how much (did my car cost, my car cost).
6. I don’ know where (did he put, he put) those magazines.
7. He wants to know where (do we have, we have) our
English lesson.
8. I wonder what time (it is, is it).
9. Ask him how old (is he, he is).
[Link] asked me how old (was I, I was).
[Link] out where (does she live, she lives).
12.I asked her where (she lived, did she live).
[Link] asked her whether (was she, she was) married.
[Link] asked me how long (had I studied, I had studied)
English.
[Link] didn’t say where (he was, was he) going.
[Link] him where (is Helen, Helen is).
17.I forgot where (did I putt, I put) it.
18.I don’t know where (does he live, he lives).
[Link] asked me when (I would, would I) return.
[Link] asked me where (was I, I was) going.
May 1st, 2009 ASSIGNMENT
Change each of the following questions to an indirect
statement. Begin each on with the words given after it in
parentheses.
1. Where is the director’s office? (I don’t know________.)
(I don’t know where the director’s office is.)
2. Where did Miss Dale go? (He wants to know
3. What time is it? (I wonder
4. In which file is the letter? (Mr. Ames wants to know
5. How much does this cost? (I would like to know
6. When is he leaving for the cost? (I would like to know
7. When will Mr. Saki get back? (He asked me
8. What is the price of this book? (She said she didn’t know
9. Where is he? (Do you know
May 4th, 2009 ASSIGNMENT
Change each of the following questions to an indirect statement. Begin each on
with the words given after it in parentheses.
[Link] he finish his test? (The teacher asked
[Link] he live in Berkeley? (Ask him
[Link] did you put it? (I forget
[Link] does it mean? I asked him
[Link] is she going? (I don’t know
[Link] time is he coming back? (He didn’t tell me
[Link] is it? (I haven’t any idea
[Link] she take it with her? (I really don’t know
[Link] well does she speak English? (He wants to know
[Link] he coming back today? (I’m not sure
May 5th, 2009 ASSIGNMENT
Indirect Speech
Commands
Express orders or commands in indirect speech by using the
infinitive form.
He said to me, “Come back later.”
He told me to come back later.
She said to me, “Don’t wait for me.”
She told me not to wait for her.
A. Change the following sentences from direct to indirect
speech.
1. My husband said to me, “Wait for me outside.”
(My husband told me to wait for him outside.)
2. The police officer said to us, “Don’t make so much noise.”
3. He told me, “Try to come on time.”
4. He begged us, “Please send me some money at once.”
5. He asked us, “Please sit down for a few minutes.”
6. She said to me, “Don’t forget what I have told you.”
7. She said to me, “Don’t forget what I have told you.”
8. The theater asked us, “Please be more careful when you
write your reports.”
9. He said to me angrily, “Don’t make the same mistake
again.”
[Link] doctor said, “Don’t call me again at this late hour.”