We often make a speaker’s words or thoughts part of our own sentence, using conjunctions (e.g. that), and changing pronouns, tenses and other words where necessary. This kind of structure is called indirect or reported speech.
This grammar exercise tests your ability to use reported speech correctly.
Fill in the blanks.
1Bill said that he ............... the party.
Wrong!
After the past reporting verb "said", the reported present simple negative usually changes to "didn't like".
2I asked her ............... she would marry me.
Wrong!
A yes/no question in reported speech is introduced with "if".
3The police inspector asked us ............... our passports.
Wrong!
A reported request after "asked us" uses the infinitive "to show".
4I wondered how ...............
Wrong!
An indirect question after a past reporting verb uses statement word order, so the correct form is "you were".
5The government has announced that taxes ............... next year.
Wrong!
With "has announced", the future passive form is "will be raised".
6She said that she ............... enough of his rudeness and walked out.
Wrong!
After the past reporting verb "said", present perfect "has had" ("I have had enough") normally backshifts to "had had".
7I ............... that I didn't intend to stand for election.
Wrong!
A statement can be reported with the verb "replied" before a that-clause; "said" cannot take a person as its object.
8I ............... you are probably right.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "think", the conjunction can be included or omitted, so "think" and "think that" are both correct.
9I ............... that I was busy.
Wrong!
A statement said loudly can be reported with "shouted" before a that-clause; "said" cannot take a person as its object.
10He wanted to know ............... leaving.
Wrong!
An indirect question uses statement word order, so the correct form is "when I was".
11Nobody told me why ............... to sign the papers.
Wrong!
An indirect question uses statement word order, so the correct form is "I had".
12I knew exactly how ............... at that moment.
Wrong!
After "knew" with past meaning, the indirect question form is "you felt".
Answers
- Bill said that he didn’t like the party.
- I asked her if she would marry me.
- The police inspector asked us to show our passports.
- I wondered how you were.
- The government has announced that taxes will be raised next year.
- She said that she had had enough of his rudeness and walked out.
- I replied that I didn’t intend to stand for election.
- I think / think that you are probably right.
- I shouted that I was busy.
- He wanted to know when I was leaving.
- Nobody told me why I had to sign the papers.
- I knew exactly how you felt at that moment.