Exercise 17. Report what people say, using reporting verbs in brackets.

Example: Excellent! That was a lovely dinner! (compliment on) =>

He complimented me on the dinner I gave him.

1. Don’t forget to set your alarm clock for 6.00. (remind)

2. Careful! Don’t touch those cups. They are hot. (warn)

3. Shall we stop for a coffee break? (suggest)

4. I’m sorry. I’ve forgotten about our appointment. (apologise)

5. Yes, it was me. I ate the last biscuit. (admit)

6. We are having a party on Sunday evening. Try to come along! (invite)

7. I’ll get my hair cut this week. (promise)

8. I’m not to blame. I never used the office phone for personal calls. (deny)

Exercise 18. Change each sentence into reported speech, using a suitable verb.

Guess promise warn advise threaten apologise agree forgive wonder

1. “I’m not going to help you, you’ll have to do it by yourself.”
2. “You are the one who borrowed my dictionary, aren’t you? ”
3. “If you don’t move your car, I’ll call the police! ”
4. “I’m sorry but I seem to have broken your fountain pen.”
5. “Why don’t you phone him and see if he’s free tonight? ”
6. “If you type the letter for me, I’ll buy you a present, OK? ”
7. “Make sure that you don’t start giggling during the interview.”
8. “I don’t really mind your rudeness; I know you were in a bit of a state.”
9. “All right, if you want me to, I don’t mind accompanying you.”

Exercise 19. Change the following direct questions into indirect ones.

1. My friend asked, “What does this ambiguous ending imply? ”

2. Ann asked Mary, “Where did you buy this device? ”

3. He asked me, “Are you genuinely happy? ”

4. My mother asked, “Why weren’t you at your best? ”

5. The doctor asked Jack, “How long have you been suffering from allergy to antibiotics? ”

6. He asked her, “Why are you constantly complaining? ”

7. She asked him, “Can we stay at a luxurious hotel? ”

8. The teacher asked, “Who has the island been inhabited by since the 19^th century? ”

9. I asked David, “Did the explanation seem convincing to you? ”

10. The assistant asked the director, “Will you make allowances for my lack of experience? ”

Exercise 20. Report these conversations using the verbs in italics.

1. check, deny

Sue: You were here this morning, weren’t you, Philip?

Philip: Yes, why?

Sue: Well, it’s just that there are coffee stains on the carpet upstairs and they weren’t there this

morning.

Philip: No, I haven’t been upstairs since yesterday.

1. confide, agree, warn

Sarah; Don’t tell anyone but I think he’s made the wrong decision.

Pete: I can’t help agreeing with you. Sarah. But I wouldn’t say anything if I were you.

3. point out, confess, suggest

Man: Sorry to trouble you, Mrs. Smith, but your car is blocking mine.

Neighbour: I’m afraid I’ve locked the key inside.

Man: You’d better call the breakdown service then.