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REPORTING VERBS
The most common reporting verbs in both direct and indirect speech are:
SAY,
TELL, ASK
• SAY + a personal indirect object (
to Sally,
to me,
to her,
to us, etc.) means
‘speak words’
“I don’t like them very much, “she said to me quietly.
NOTE:
We normally use
SAY without
a personal object.
“I can drive,» she said.
•
TELL+ a personal direct object
(e.g.,
David, me, him, etc.) means 'inform a
person' She
told me she was going to be late.
NOTE:
TELL is not used without a personal direct object
He told Sarah he was in love with her.
TELL is not used with questions
You cannot say
“Have you ever been abroad?” he told me.
• ASK + a personal direct object (e.g.,
me, him, her, etc.)
or no object at all
“Are you happy?” he asked (her).
NOTE:
There are a few fixed expressions with
say, tell and
ask
say a few words
tell (he truth
ask after someone
say so
tell a lie
ask (for)
a favour
say no more
tell the time
ask a question
say nothing
tell lies
ask the price
tell a story
Exercise 24. Put
a form of either say, tell or
ask in each space.
Example: «Do you like visiting old buildings?» she
asked.
1. Do you think he’s _________ the truth?
2. I _________I wanted to buy a newspaper.
3. The children always _________me if they can go out to play.
4. Could you _________ the time please?
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5. Julia smiled and _________ to me, «I’m very pleased to meet you.»
6. «How much are those apples?»—»I’ve no idea. Go and _________ the
price.»
7. I think she’s _________lies.
8. He _________ the policeman his address.
9. James _________ me a story about his parents.
10. If you need money, why don’t you _________ for a loan?
11. Gregory _________ he wasn’t interested in politics.
12. He_________, «Are you feeling OK?»
13. I didn’t hear: what did she _________?
14. «Are you comfortable?» he _________ me.
15. «There’s no match on Saturday?»--»Who _________ so?»
16. «They’ve arrived,» the maid_________.
17. I ____________ that I didn’t know what to do.
18. The nurse _________him if he needed anything else.
19. «Don’t do that!» she _________ to them.
20. «How are you?» she _________.
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