Reported statements
FORM: verb (+that) + clause
– He works in television, she said.
– She said (that) he worked in television.
– I took the money, she admitted.
– She admitted (that) she had taken the money.
Reported questions
Reported Yes/No questions
FORM: When there is no question word in the direct speech question, we use if/whether. Word order is the same as the statement. The verb tense and other changes are the same as for other types of reported speech.
– Could I borrow your bike? she asked.
– She asked if/whether she could borrow my bike.
Reported wh- questions
FORM: The wh- word is followed by statement word order (subject followed by verb). All tense and other changes are the same as for other types of reported speech.
– Why did you leave the job? she asked him.
– She asked him why he had left that job.
– Where is the swimming pool? he asked her.
– He asked her where the swimming pool was.
Reported orders
FORM: verb + object + infinitive with to
– Please open your suitcase, said the customs official.
– The customs official told/ordered me to open my suitcase.
Reported recommendations
FORM: recommend + (that) + clause
recommend + -ing
– I’d buy the red coat, my friend said.
– My friend recommended buying/(that) I buy the red coat.
Reported suggestions
FORM: suggest + -ing
suggest + that + past simple
suggest + that + (should) + infinitive without to
– Let’s pay half each, she said.
– She suggested paying half each.
– She suggested we paid half each.
– She suggested that we should pay half each.
Watch out!
We can’t say: She suggested to pay/us to pay half each.