Tenses: Present and Past

Reported Speech

8. Rewrite the sentences:

1. a. It is expected that the strike will end soon.

b. The strike ......................................................................................................

2. a. It is expected that the weather will be good tomorrow.

b. The weather .....................................................................................................

3. a. It is believed that the thieves got in through the kitchen window.

b. The thieves ......................................................................................................

4. a. It is thought that the prisoner escaped by climbing over the wall.

b. The prisoner .......................................................................................................

5. a. It is alleged that the man was driving through the town at 90 miles an hour.

b. The man ........................................................................................................

6. a. It is reported that the building has been badly damaged by the wildfire.

b. The building ........................................................................................................

7. a. It is said that the company is losing a lot of money.

b. The company .....................................................................................................

8. a. It is believed that the company lost a lot of money last year.

b. The company ......................................................................................................

9. Rewrite the sentences using reported speech:

1. a. What does this word mean?

b. I want to know ............................................................................................

2. a. What do you want?

b. Tell me ............................................................................................

3. a. Where is the nearest bank?

b. Could you tell me .............................................................................................

4. a. What’s the time?

b. I wonder ............................................................................................

5. a. What time did your boss leave?

b. Do you know ............................................................................................

6. a. Who’s that woman?

b. I have no idea ............................................................................................

7. a. How far is the airport?

b. Can you tell me ............................................................................................

8. a. Do you have to pay to park here?

b. Do you know ............................................................................................
10. Rewrite the sentences using reported speech:

1. a. A beggar harassed me while I was having my coffee; I simply told him, “I don’t have any money.”

b. A beggar harassed me while I was having my coffee, but I simply told him ...................................................................... .

2. a. I was trying to plan today’s meeting, all day yesterday, so I said to John, “Please let me know by some time tonight if you are indeed coming. I need to fix the items on tomorrow’s agenda.”

b. I was trying to plan today’s meeting, all day yesterday, so I asked John ............................................................................. because ............................................................................................ .

3. a. Mary is an awful driver. I asked her two months ago, “Why aren’t you taking some lessons?”. She answered back, “My schedule is very busy now. I promise to look for a driving school by the end of next week.”

b. Mary is an awful driver. I asked her two months ago ............................................................................................ . She answered .............................................................................. but promised ........................................................................... .

4. a. I bumped into William last night. He told me, “I’m living in Bournemouth now. I’m enjoying my new flat very much. You can come and stay at my place whenever you fancy.”

b. I bumped into William last night. He told me ............................................................................................ and .............................................................................