reported speech

Match the direct speech in A with the reported speech in B.

A

1. We cant win the game, he said.

4a. He said that we had to win the game.

2. We wont win the game, he said.

5b. He said that we were winning the game.

3. We always win the game, he said.

2c. He said that we wouldnt win the game.

4. We must win the game, he said.

1d. He said that we couldnt win the game.

5. We are winning the game, he said.

3e. He said that we always won the game.

Complete the sentences in reported speech.

1. The treatment wont help, she said.
She said that the treatment wouldn,t help .
2. Brad must exercise, the doctor said.
The doctor said that Brad had to exercise .
3. I dont like football, he said.
He said that he didn,t like football.
Rewrite the sentences in reported speech.
1. Diane is playing tennis now, he said.
He said that diane was playing tennis then
2. We must save our environment, she said.
She said that we had to save our environment
3. They wont win next week, the coach told us.
The coach told us that they wouldn,t win next week the following week
4. Im in love with Sam, Jill said.
Jill said that he was in love with sam
Choose the correct verb.
1. Dinner is ready, he .
a. announced

b. refused

2. Im so sorry, she .
a. complained

b. apologised

3. The food here is terrible, he us.

a. warned

b. explained

4. I want to eat at this restaurant, she .

a. refused

b. decided

5. Smoking is dangerous, the doctor me.

a. informed

b. realised

Circle the correct answers.

1. Erica said, They must help me.
Erica said that they have to / has to / had to help her.
2. Stewart said, Theres an interesting programme on TV.
Stewart remarked that there was / is / are an interesting programme on TV.
3. I dont have any money, said Alan.
Alan said that he didnt / dont / doesnt have any money.
4. Gillian said, Were going to Italy.
Gillian said that they are going / were going / went to Italy.
5. The referee said, The match will finish soon.
The referee said that the match finishes / would finish / finished soon.
6. Sue doesnt like fish, said Karen.
Karen said that Sue doesnt / dont / didnt like fish.
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs.
1. We usually walk to school, said Ian.
Ian said that they usually walked to school.
2. The lesson is starting in ten minutes, said the teacher.
The teacher said that the lesson was starting in ten minutes.
3. The coach said, I dont need all the players today.
The coach said that he didn,t need all the players that day.
4. Joe said, Ill see you at the match.
Joe said that he have would see us at the match.
5. Alan said, I never wear my best clothes for sports events.
Alan said that he never wore his best clothes for sports events.
6. My brother doesnt take his mobile phone to school, said Jim.
Jim said that his brother didn,t take his mobile phone to school.
Change the direct speech sentences to reported speech.
1. Paul said, I am having lunch at home.
he Was having
2. Dads birthday party is a surprise, said Shirley.
Was a surprise
3. My father said, You cant go out.
I Couldn,t go out
4. Ill meet you later, said Peggy.
Hove meet

Peggy said she would meet me later

5. I must buy their new disc, said Ian.

Had buy

Ian said that he had to buy their

6. I cant touch the floor, said the old lady.

The old lady said she Couldn,t touch

Complete the sentences with the correct time expressions.
1. Im downloading a new song onto my MP3 now, said Alan.
Alan said that he was downloading a new song onto his MP3 the following momentthen .
2. I must visit my grandmother today, said Nancy.
Nancy said that she had to visit her grandmother the following day

that day .

3. He will win the competition at school next week, promised Jean.

Jean promised that he would win the competition at school the following week
Complete the sentences with the correct time expressions.
1. Joe said, Im having a party today.
Joe said that he was having a party the following day that day .
2. I cant feed the dog now, said Sue.
Sue said that she couldnt feed the dog the following moment then .
3. Dr Kemp will call you tomorrow, said his nurse.
Dr Kemps nurse said that he would call the next day .
4. Were going to Italy next week, said Ben.
Ben said that they were going to Italy the following week .
5. I cant plant the new trees till next month, said the gardener.
The gardener said that he couldnt plant the new trees till the following month .
Complete the reported speech sentences.
1. Shelley doesnt eat fish, said her father.
Shelleys father said that she didn,t eat

2. They are having lunch early today, said the secretary.

The secretary said that they were having ... that day

3. My son will fly to the moon, said Mrs Smith.

Mrs Smith said that her son would fly

4. The concert must start on time, said the man.

The man said that the concert had to start

5. We cant surf here, said John.

John said that they

couldn,t surf there .

Change the direct speech sentences to reported speech. Make all the necessary changes.
1. Im not enjoying this match, said Rita.
she Wasn,t enjoying that
2. I must finish this book today, said Ron.
he Had to finish that day
3. The man said, It will be ready tomorrow.
Would be ready the following day

4. She can play the piano, said Paul.

Could play
5. We must tell the police, said Jim.
Had to tell
Change the direct speech sentences to reported speech. Make all the necessary changes
1. I dont want to do my homework right now, said Lennie.
2. The scientist said, The new treatment will be ready for use by next year.
3. Were giving a concert in the new stadium today, said James.
4. Helen said, Cathy must learn to cook.
5. John said, Im meeting her tomorrow.
6. Don has nowhere to go tonight, said Bob.
7. I wont come next week, said Chris.

Complete the sentences in reported speech.

1. Competitors must be in very good mental and physical shape, Clive said.
Clive said that

2. I can understand why thats true, Sue said.

Sue said that

3. Im competing in a match here tomorrow, Clive said.

Clive said that

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs.

1.

I want to leave early in the morning, Linda said.

Linda said that she to leave early in the morning.
2.
David doesnt earn much money, Philip said.
Philip said that David much money.
3.
My stomach hurts, my brother said.
My brother said that his stomach .
4.
I feel wonderful! Jill said.
Jill said that she wonderful.
Rewrite the sentences in reported speech.
1.

Meg said, I love car races.

2.

The milk smells bad, Mum said.

3.

Debbie writes in her diary every day, Cara said.

4.

Kristen said, Our team usually practises four times a week.

Circle the correct answers.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Ill pay for dinner, said Keith.

Keith said that he will pay / would pay / paid / was paying for dinner.
Im standing in the queue, Laura said.
Laura said that she would stand / stood / is standing / was standing in the queue.
I can surf, Rob said.
Rob said that he had to / can / could / would surf.
You must return the book by Friday, the librarian said.
The librarian told me that I could / can / must / had to return the book by Friday.

Rewrite the sentences in reported speech.

1.

Im writing an e-mail to Jim, Eva said.

2.

I dont understand the joke, John said.

3.

Teri and Gwen will meet us after the match, Donna said.

4.

My brother cant ski, said Peter.

5.

You must exercise more, Dr Benn told me.

Read the sentences in direct speech. Then complete the sentences in reported speech with the
correct form of the verbs in italics and the correct time expressions below.
that afternoon that night then the following day
I cant meet you for lunch this afternoon, Anna said.
I must get things ready for the party tonight, Anna said.
I can come to your house and help now, Jack said.
Ill need your help tomorrow, Anna said.
1. Anna said that she Jack for lunch .
2. She said that she things ready for the party
.
3. Jack told her that he to her house and help
.
4. She told Jack that she his help .