English Unlimited HTL 2, Schulbuch mit Audio-CD und CD-ROM

138 Grammar reference and practice In general, the present form in direct speech changes to the past form in reported speech. FORM FORM am/ is was have / has had must had to are were know knew can could want wanted go went will would do/does did may might etc. Note: When you use reported speech, the reporting verb is usually past. Mary said / told me / asked … The rest of the sentence is usually past too. Mary said that she was feeling ill. Peter said it wasn’t his fault. John asked (me) if I felt OK. However, if you want to underline that the situation you’re talking about is still valid, do not change the verb in the reported statement to the past. John said that his new job is very interesting. (His job was – and still is – interesting.) The assistant told me that English pounds are OK in Scotland. (They have been, are and will presumably be OK.) The modal verbs would , could , should , might and used to don’t change in reported speech. Mary: “I could meet you at the airport.” Æ Mary said that she could meet me at the airport. You can leave out that when reporting a statement. Mary said that she was feeling ill. or Mary said she was feeling ill. When you report what someone told someone else (not) to do, use tell / ask + someone + (not) + to + infinitive. Boss: “Mary, please call the IT manager.” Æ Mary’s boss asked her to call the IT manager. Mother: “Don’t worry.” Æ His mother told him not to worry . When you talk about or report yes / no questions, use if or whether . Mary: “Do you speak English?” Æ Mary asked (him) if he spoke English. You report wh- questions using ask / want to know + question word. Mary: “What’s your name?” Æ Mary asked (him) what his name was . (not what was his name ) PRACTICE Change the statements, instructions and questions into reported speech. 5 “Stay in bed for at least three days.” Her doctor told … 6 “Don’t shout at me.” The waitress asked her boss … 7 “We don’t have much free time.” We explained to grandpa … 8 “Prepare your presentation well!” The teacher told us … 9 “We might drop in if we have time.” Stephen said … 10 “Where’s our CD player?” Ms Fleming asked the class … 11 “I’ll help you with the project.” Ryan told the study group … 1 “I’m planning to open a shop.” The business manager said … 2 “Are you on a business trip?” The customs officer asked her … 3 “Have you ever used a fitness centre?” The interviewer wanted to know … 4 “How long are you planning to stay?” The receptionist asked me … have to , can Use have to to say that something is necessary (now, in the future or in general). Sorry, but I have to go now. My taxi’s waiting for me. (now) I have to get up at five o’clock tomorrow morning. My train leaves at ten past six. (in the future) On a normal day, I have to be at school before eight. (in general) Use don’t / doesn’t have to to say something is not necessary. Please start eating. You don’t have to wait for me. Use can to say that something is possible (now, in the future or in general). You can use my phone if you want. (now) We can meet again next weekend if you have time. (in the future) You can pay your phone bill at the post office or on the internet. (in general) Use can’t to say something is not possible. I can’t come to the party on Saturday. MEANING I, you, we, they he, she, it I have to go now. I don’t have to go until ten. Do you have to go so soon? Yes, I do . No, I don’t . Adrian has to get up early tomorrow. Rebecca doesn’t have to get up until nine. Does Rebecca have to work tomorrow? Yes, she does . No, she doesn’t . Unit 3 Reported speech When you report what you or someone else said, you can do it in two ways. You can use the same words as the original speaker ( direct speech ) or you can reword it using verbs like say , tell , ask , advise , etc. ( reported speech ). Mary: “I’m feeling ill.” Æ Mary said (that) she was feeling ill. MEANING Nur Y zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum W des Verlags öbv ö v bö