Indirect report structures with reporting verbs

Exercise 4. A: In the following table, choose the form in the right hand column to correctly complete the sentences.

He/She	1. suggests proposes 2. recommends advises 3. insists demands prefers intends 4. requests asks begs 5. orders instructs commands 6. urges warns 7. agrees 8. means	A. (that) you wait B. you to wait C. (that) you should wait D. waiting
I	1. assume suppose think doubt 2. expect hope claim forbid 3. invite decide remind 4. persuade confirm argue	A. (that) you will wait B. you to wait
It	1. means points out 2. enables allows forbids 3. guarantees permits 4. encourages ensures	A. (that) we can do as we please B. us to do as we please

B: Which verbs from the list below require an object (V+O, V+toO) to fit comfortably with the following ending:

… (that) Matthew was not responsible.

told said assured convinced informed notified persuaded reminded accepted found answered assumed believed claimed denied discovered guaranteed hoped felt implied knew noticed doubted expected forgot specified supposed understood thought reassured admitted confessed acknowledged announced proved explained saw showed complained declared remarked reported stated indicated mentioned pointed out promised

C: Choose the most suitable reporting verb underlined.

1. The government spokesperson denied/refused that there was a crisis.

2. Jane said/told me there was nothing the matter.

3. Peter persuaded me/insisted me to stay for dinner.

4. The director of studies advised me/suggested me to spend more time in the library.

5. Sheila explained me/warned me not to leave the heater on all night.

6. The chairperson mentioned us/reminded us that time was extremely short.

7. Bill answered them/replied them with a detailed description of his plans.

8. Michael and Sarah announced/reported that they were going to get married.

9. The manager confirmed/reassured that our room had been reserved.

D: Link each sentence opening with a suitable ending. There are options possible.

1. I never expected a. to go away this summer.

2. I don't imagine b. it would rain.

3. I don't suppose c. she was telling the truth.

4. We don't plan d. to cause any damage.

5. She didn't think e. I would get first prize.

6. I don't want f. we'll be able to go away this year.

7. He didn't believe g. you to phone so late.

8. They don't intend h. it will be fine enough for a picnic.

Exercise 5.Match the actual words spoken with their reports.

1. No, I've definitely taken it.

2. I don't think I took it.

3. Don't worry, I've taken it. It's all right!

4. What about me? Perhaps I took it?

5. OK, perhaps I did take it after all.

6. Yes, I took it. I took it, I tell you!

7. Yes, that's quite correct. I took it.

8. No, I certainly didn't take it, I can assure you.

9. You may not believe me, but actually I took it.

10. You see, it's like this. I've taken it.

a) Jim admitted that he might have taken it.

b) Sue denied that she had taken it.

c) Harry doubted whether he had taken it.

d) Diana explained that she had taken it.

e) Bill insisted he had taken it.

f) Mary suggested that she had taken it.

g) Ted confirmed that he had taken it.

h) Ruth claimed that she had taken it.

i) Charles repeated that he had taken it.

j) Sally reassured us that she had taken it.

Exercise 6. Make use of the confusables below to report the sentences.

A: claim VS demand; persuade / convince VS assure / reassure; suggest / propose VS offer; admit VS acknowledge.

1. ‘I’m a Scot, I say,’ he said with strong Liverpool accent.

2. ‘We were given guns from Germans’, he said obstinately.

3. ‘I haven’t read it, I say.’

4. ‘Your ID, please’ the policeman asked forcefully.’

5. ‘You shouldn’t miss the chance to go to Scotland, Peter. You really must go now.

6. ‘Your expenses will definitely be reimbursed.’ the company said.

7. ‘Relax’ he said. ‘My house is safe enough. It’s not going to fall down.’

8. ‘Don’t worry. Everything will be OK in the end.’

9. ‘Listen, I’m not going to harm you. You should trust me.’

10. ‘Don’t be afraid to change your mind. It doesn’t hurt and will do only good.’

11. ‘I expect you to pop in when you’re in the area, Jenny.’

12. ‘If I were you I would get in touch with the manager.’

13. ‘Take a seat.What about a nice cup of tea. Help yourself.’

Exercise 7. Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word in capitals and the meaning stays the same.

Example: He was warned by the fireman not to re-enter the house. HIM

→ The fireman warned him not to re-enter the house.

1. There has been a rumour that the President is ill. IT

2. She thought it would be a good idea for me to see a doctor. ADVISED

3. The minister proposed regular meetings for the committee. MEET

4. The management claimed that all strikers had returned to work. WAS

5. The travel agent recommended our staying near the airport. SHOULD

6. There has been no report that any lives were lost. IT

7. Jack demanded action from the police. SHOULD

8. David supposed that we didn't want to watch television. WANTED

9. My bank manager invited me to visit him at home. COULD

Exercise 8. Report the statements using pattern REPORTING VERB + TO-INF. Use the passive form of reporting verbs where possible.

Example: ‘Don’t be late again! (boss to secretary) à the boss ordered the secretary not to be late again. à She was ordered not to be late again.

1. ‘Please wear a tie.’ (wife to husband)

2. ‘Do not tell the police anything.’ (lawyer to client)

3. ‘Keep away from the Grotto disco.’ (father to daughters)

4. ‘Don’t talk to strangers.’ (mother to children)

5. ‘You cannot go out!’ (brother to sister)

6. ‘Book a table at Luigi’s.’ (girl to boyfriend)

7. ‘Don’t be late.’ (boy to girlfriend)

8. ‘Be back by ten thirty.’ (mother to son)

9. 'Would you like to come on a picnic with us?' (to friend)

10. 'If you don't give me a pay rise, I'll resign.' (employee to chief)

11. 'Can I borrow your pencil?' (student to group mate)

12. 'I must know your decision soon.' (boy to girlfriend)

13. 'Don't forget to go to the supermarket after work.' (wife to husband)

14. 'Stay away from me!' (to enemy)

15. 'If you can't find anyone else, I'll drive you to the airport.' (busy neighbour)

Exercise 9. Complete the following sentences, using a passive form of a suitable reporting verb avoiding mention of the person speaking.

1. ____________________that the watch will work for a year.

2. ____________________that there are more than 6 billion people on this planet.

3. ____________________that a man will one day run a mile in 3 minutes.

4. ____________________that over 2,000 people were killed in the earthquake.

5. ____________________that there will be another meeting next week.

6. ____________________that the Prime Minister would arrive last week.

7. ____________________that there will be snow tonight.

8. ____________________that ten people have been injured.

9. ____________________that Smith and the manager had come to blows in the dressing-room, though this was denied by the club.

Verbs to Use: report, predict, expect, guarantee, assume, rumour, estimate

Exercise 10. Report the following statements, questions, orders, requests, advice, intentions, thoughts a) with reference to the hearer; b) avoiding mention of the addressee.

A: Follow the example: What did you say your name was? à ‘What did you say your name was?’ she inquired à She inquired what the client’s name was. à She asked the client to repeat his name.

1. ‘Do as I say immediately!’

2. ‘Actually, there’s much doubt that nuclear weapons have helped to keep the peace. On the contrary, there has long existed a danger of nuclear war.’

3. ‘I’d like to begin by telling you that I’m the best swimmer in the school.’

4. ‘Do students learn English as their first foreign language in your country?’

5. ‘Please help me – I just don’t know how I’ll manage if you don’t.’

6. ‘As I was saying, the situation is quite clear.’

7. ‘The train on platform 5 will be calling additionally at Darlington’

8. ‘Don’t ever say that to me again.’

9. ‘No one ever comes to see me.’

10. ‘It’ll be difficult for you’

11. ‘Aaaah! A mouse!’

12. ‘Erm … I think erm …’

13. ‘Ssh! Keep you voice down.’

14. ‘You idiot’