REPORTED SPEECH; VERB PATTERNS; CONDITIONS

1. Report the following sentences:

1. 'I've given up my job.' He said ……………………………………………………………………..……………….
2. 'I can easily find another one.' He said …………………………………………………….………..……………….
3. ‘I'm going to travel round Africa.' He said …………………………………………………..………..…………….
4. 'I lived there as а child.' He said ………………………………………………………………...………………..….
5. 'I might get а part-time job there.' He said …………………………………………………….…..………..……….
6. 'I'm packing my bag.' He said ……………………………………………………………………..………..……….
7. 'I'm really excited.' He said ……………………………………………………………………….………….…….
8. 'I'll be away for а year.' He said ………………………………………………………………………..………….
9. 'I may stay longer.' He said ……………………………………………………………………….………….…….
10. ‘You could come too.' He said …………………………………………………………………………….……….
2. Write the following in reported speech.
1 Can I have some more pocket money? The boy asked………….………………………..………………....…
2 Where were you born? She asked him …………………………………………………..……………….…..…
3 How far is the stadium? He wanted to know …………………………………………..…………………...……
4 Are you still living in London? She asked …………………………………………….….…………………….
5 Do you work in the central branch or in the provinces?
She asked him…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..…
6 Are you going to give me the money or not?
She wanted to know………………………………………………………………………………………………..……
7 Did he bring the book back? I didn't know…………………………………………….……………..………
8 Who bought the Picasso painting?
He wondered……………………………………………………………………………...……………………..………
9 Where did you get such a lovely pullover?
She asked her sister ……………………………………………………………………………….…………….………
10 'What have you done with the student records?'
She asked me………………………………………………………………………………………….…………….……
11 'Where do you think we should advertise?
He asked me …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
12 'Why did Matthew look so embarrassed when he saw Carole?'
He asked ………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………….
3. Match the first part (1-10) with an appropriate reporting verb (a-j).
1. 'If you do that again, I'll leave,' a she whispered.
2 'I'm now going to read out the results: b he answered.
3 'Could you bring me the wine list?' c she shouted.
4 'Of course, I'll bring it right away,' d she threatened.
5 'Our team will easily beat yours: e she announced.
6 'Please give me another chance,' f he claimed.
7 'Shhh! The baby's sleeping: g he asked.
8 'I'm innocent of all the charges,' h she begged.
9 'First of all, you press the button,' i he boasted.
10 'Careful! The water's deep!' j he explained.
4. Finish these sentences using the information above. Use reported speech.
1 She threatened ………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 She announced that she………………………………………………………………………………………
3 He asked the waiter……………………………………………………………………………………..……
4 The waiter answered…………………………………………………………………………………….……
5 He boasted that………………………………………………………………………………………….……
6 She begged them ………………………………………………………………………………………..……
7 She whispered that ……………………………………………………………………………………..……
8 He claimed ……………………………………………………………………………………….……..……
9 He explained that …………………………………………………………………………………….………
10 She shouted to us ……………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Report the following statements by using any of the following:
advised; denied; explained; invited; offered; refused; suggested; warned
1. This is how you tum on the computer. …………………………………………………………………..
2. I wouldn't tum on the computer if l were you. …………………………………………………………………..
3. I'll tum on the computer. …………………………………………………………………..
4. It's not true - I didn't tum on the computer. …………………………………………………………………..
5. Careful - don't tum on the computer. …………………………………………………………………..
1
 6. Why don't you tum on the computer? …………………………………………………………………..
7. Would you like to tum on the computer? …………………………………………………………………..
8. No, I won't turn on the computer! …………………………………………………………………..

6 Choose all the options that can complete each sentence.

1 My lawyer ......... me to be on time. 5 Many people ........ on Rita's new hairstyle.
a wanted b offered c asked d told a complimented b talked c commented d remarked
2 Many people ....... to help. 6 In the end they agreed to our .... two teams for the
a offered b agreed c didn't mind d promised tournament.
3 Their teacher . . . against talking to strangers. a entered b enter c entry d entering
a advised b recommended c suggested d warned 7 I tried to ....... Tara from having her nose pierced.
4 My girlfriend suggested ...... alone. a persuade b discourage c encourage d dissuade
a I go b going c I went d to go 8 The actress ....... to having had first-night nerves.
a admitted b agreed c accepted d confessed

7. Rewrite each sentence in two ways, a and b. You will need to use that-clauses, wh-clauses, infinitive clauses or -ing
clauses.
Example: 'I've done nothing to be ashamed of,' she sobbed.
a She denied having done anything to be ashamed of.
b She refused to admit that she had been in any way responsible.
1 'I'll be there with you before you can blink,' the sergeant told them.
a The sergeant said …………………………………........ next to no time.
b The sergeant promised …………………………………........ a matter of minutes.
2 'I don't think employees should be forced to work overtime,' he said.
a He disapproved …………………………………........ made to work overtime.
b He was opposed …………………………………........ obligatory.
3 'Either you hand over those photos, or I'll tell the Tax Office everything.' BJ said to her.
a BJ threatened …………………………………........ photographs.
b BJ said that he …………………………………........ have the photos.
4 'Do I really need to stay?' she said.
a She enquired …………………………………........ stay.
b She asked to be …………………………………........ leave.
5 'I have been unfairly treated,' the number nine complained.
a The number nine felt …………………………………........ treated.
b The number nine claimed to …………………………………........ treatment.

8. Underline the correct word or phrase in the following.

1 He denied telling / to tell lies.
2 He denied / refused that he had told lies.
3 They suggested to postpone / postponing the match to the following week.
4 The weather delayed that they arrived / their arrival.
5 I can't bear to see/ see children suffer.
6 We really can't afford buying/to buy a new washing machine.
7 I look forward to seeing/to see you at the party.
8 Before going/that I went to the interview, I bought a new tie.
9 I'd rather stay/to stay at home tonight, if that's all right.
10 I saw someone to climb / climbing through the window.

9. Complete the second sentence so that it is as similar in meaning as possible to the first sentence, using the word
given. Do not change this word.
1 I'm sorry but we have decided not to accept your application. regret
I ………………………………………………………………..……….. we have decided to reject your application.
2 Funnily enough I'd prefer a pizza for a change. rather
Funnily enough ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3 We were not allowed to drink too much Coke when we were children. let
Our parents …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4 I think it would be a good idea to take the train. suggest
I …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5 She succeeded in persuading her parents to let her go. managed
She …………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………….
6 It looks as if this door's locked after all. appears
2
This …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….·
7 One of the things I hate is people eating popcorn in the cinema. stand
One of the things I ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
8 The singer arrived two hours late but I'm glad I waited for him. worth
The singer .. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
9 Jack said he had to catch the early flight. insisted
Jack ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
10 I can't wait to get your next letter. forward
I ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
10. Write the correct form of the verbs given in brackets. Sometimes more than one answer may be possible.
Einstein: an ordinary child
Einstein was not a remarkable child. He began (1 take) …………………………. piano lessons at the age of six. He didn't
seem (2 be) ………………………. particularly talented. He liked (3 day-dream) ………………………. and ( 4 play)
………………………………. He didn't enjoy (5 talk) …………………………. very much; in fact, he waited till he was
three before (6 start) …………………………. to talk. In spite of not (7 have) ………………………... a very exciting
childhood, Einstein later appeared (8 have) ………………………………. a vivid memory of it. He remembered (9 be)
……………………….impressed by how a compass works and by the mysterious force which made the compass needle (10
point) ………………………. in a given direction.

11. Fill in each space with a suitable form of a verb from the list. You can use some verbs more than once.
convince discuss persuade speak tell
deny give say talk turn down
1 A: People ………………………. that he's been all round the world.
B: Yes, he's always ………………………. about his travels.
2 A: He was ………………………. us another one of his stories.
B: Does he ever ………………………. the truth?
3 A: Rose is brilliant at ……………………….. jokes.
B: I hope we can ………………………. her to tell us some tonight.
4 A: Why don' t you ask the doctor to ………………………. you a second opinion?
B: Yes, I ought to ………………………. to someone else about it.
5 A: Doctor, they ………………………. it's urgent.
B: Very well, ………………………. them I'm on my way.
6 A: They ………………………. the Prime Minister will be ………………………. about the new law in Parliament today.
B: I wonder what he's going to ……………………….. this time.
7 A: You ………………………. me you were at the pub last night.
B: What are you ………………………. about?
8 A: I believe what he ………………………..
B: I don't. I am ………………………. he's been ………………………. lies.
9 A: You ………………………. him some good advice about his interview.
B: But he didn't get the job. I wonder why he was ……………………….?
10 A: You can't ………………………. that you………………………. Kate my secret.
B: No, I didn't. But it seems I can't………………………. you. Maybe we can ……………………….this later.

12. Read the text below and add the word which best fits each space. The first (0) is given as an example.
A FRIEND IN NEED
I can't say (0) when I first realised that Billy was in trouble with the police. He had often ……………………. (1) to me
about his problems and, as his friend, I had ……………………. (2) him the best advice I could. I also …………………….
(3) I'd Jet him come and stay with me but he ……………………. (4) my offer. I tried to ……………………. (5) him to
stop spending so much money at the club and to sit down and ……………………. (6) his problems with me but he
……………………. (7) me to mind my own business.
It was difficult to ……………………. (8) to him after this but I was ……………………. (9) be was getting into
deeper trouble all the time. He had often ……………………. (10) having anything to do with the local gangs. But then the
police came round and asked me to ……………………. (11) them information about Billy and I couldn't
……………………. (12), though 1 avoided …………………….. (13) them anything that might do him harm. They asked
me to ……………………. (14) them more details but I managed to convince them that I had told the truth.

13. Correct the errors in these sentences - one sentence contains no errors.
1 If I were born rich I hadn't needed to work.
2 If you have been feeling unwell you should go to see the doctor.
3 He says that if it weren't for the tax system he'll be much better off.
4 There wouldn't be so much poverty when less money is spent on arms
3
5 If you shouldn't arrive in time they won't let you into the concert.
6 If you would have bought it last week, the price didn't have go up.
7 If you'd let me know when you arrive, I'd meet you at the airport.

14. Particularly in FORMAL style, the underlined structures are sometimes used. Rewrite each sentence beginning
with if….
1 Were it not for his strict diet, he would have put on even more weight.
If …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 Had he realised how long the exercise plan would take, he would never have started.
If …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3 Should you see her tonight, please remind her to get in touch with me.
If…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

15. Fill the gaps in these sentences:

1 …………the weather………………………….. more favourable, we………………..…. enjoyed our holiday more.
2 Should …………………………………….. enough space, continue your work on a separate sheet.
3 Were ……………………………… disparity between our incomes, I ……………………………….feel so envious.
4 Had they ………………………… that the exam so difficult, they…….……………………more time revising for it.
5 ……………………………………….wish us to send you a sample, please enclose a cheque for £5.
6 I …………………………….. have plenty of money now, …………………………………… for having spent it all.

16. What form of the verb in brackets is needed in 1-6?

1 I can play the guitar quite well- if only I ………………………………(can) sing better.
2 Using public transport is so inconvenient. I wish I………………………………….(have) a car.
3 We hate city life. If only we…………………………………….(not/leave) the countryside.
4 I wish he……………………………….(not smoke) cigars in the house. The smell is appalling.
5 If only they………………………………………(tell) me what's worrying them. They won't talk to me at all.
6 I wish we………………………………………………….(not tell) him the news. He was very upset.

17. Which of the conditional sentences 1-5 refer to:

a an impossible situation? 1 If you need a world atlas, you will find one on the top bookshelf.
b a hypothetical past situation? 2 If the price of aviation fuel rose, airlines would agree to raise ticket prices
c a plain fact? collectively.
d a hypothetical situation? 3 If I wore lames Bond, I would have the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world.
e a possibility? 4 If we had booked our tickets earlier, ihey would have been cheaper.
5 If perishable cargoes are kept in unsuitable conditions, they deteriorate

18. Some sentences contain a mixture of conditional forms. Which sentence in 1-4 below refers to:
a a hypothetical past action and a hypothetical 1 If your daughter wants to travel round the world, she would be
situation now? better off taking a year off to do it.
b a hypothetical situation now and a 2 If I were rich, I wouldn't have had to ask my parents for money to
hypothetical past action? go on holiday.
c a possibility and a hypothetical situation now? 3 If I had travelled more when I was younger, I'm sure I would know
d a possible recent action and an instruction? a lot more about the world than I do.
4 If you have bought a super-advance ticket, you should travel in
Coach B.

19. Rewrite each sentence using the words given.

1 It's a pity the weather was so bad last week. We could have gone camping.
If it hadn't………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 Why didn't you ted me about the party? I was free on Saturday night.
Had………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3 What a shame we didn't go by air! Think of the saving in time!
If only……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4 You probably don't need any help, but you can always call me.
Should……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5 A successful interview means that you will be offered a job.
Provided…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Unless……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6 He can't be a policeman. I've never seen him wearing a uniform.
If he……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4