Indirect speech: commands, requests, invitations, offers, advice

PEG 284-7, 318-20

Put the following into indirect speech using ask, advise, invite, offer, remind, tell, warn.

1 'Would you like to have lunch with me on Sunday?' he said to me.

2 'Would you like a cigarette?' said one of the guests.

3 'Would you mind not smoking between courses?' said their hostess.

4 Take these letters to the post, will you? And shut the door as you out,' said the boss.

5 'Will you help me, please?' she said. 1 can't reach the top shelf.'

6 'This is a horrible room. Why don't you ask for something better?' he said.

7 If I were you I'd try to get a room on the top floor,' he said.

8 I'll wait for you if you like,' she said.

9 'Remember to switch off when you've finished,' he said.

10 'You might check these figures for me,' he said.

11 'You'd better apologize for being late,' said my mother.

12 'Could you check the oil, please?' I asked the mechanic.

13 1 wish you'd sit still!' said the artist. 'How do you expect me to paint you when you keep jerking your head?'

14 'Why don't you go by train? It's much less tiring than driving,' I said.

15 Hotel notice:-Will guests please not play radios loudly after midnight?

16 'Would you like to wait here?' said the receptionist, showing me into the waiting room.

17 'You must see this exhibition!' said all my friends.

18 1 should plant daffodils, if I were you,' I said to them.

19 If you'd just sign the back of the cheque,' said the bank clerk.

20 I'd be very grateful if you'd forward my letters while I am away,' he said.

21 Police announcement: Will anyone who saw this accident please get in touch with their nearest police station?

22 'Don't leave your room at night,' he said. 'Our host's dogs might mistake you for a burglar.'

23 'Answer this letter for me, will you?' he said. 'And remember to keep a copy.'

24 'Would you mind moving your car?' he said. It's blocking my gate.'

25 (in a letter) 'Perhaps you'd let me know when your new stock comes in.' (Mrs Jones...)

26 Notice on board: The first team will report to the gymnasium for weight-training.

(The coach...)

27 'Could you sew on this button for me?' Tom asked Ann. 'You'd better sew it on yourself,' said Mary. 'Buttons sewn on by Ann usually come off the next day.'

28 If you will kindly sit down the fortune-teller will be with you in a moment,' the girl said.

Indirect speech: questions, requests, invitations, offers, advice

PEG 284-7, 318-20, 323

Remember that Why don't you? can be an ordinary question or advice/suggestion.

Treat it here as advice.

Put the following into indirect speech.

1 'Could you get there and back in one day?' I asked. (I asked if he . . .)

2 1 can't open this tin,' said Ann. 'Shall I do it for you?' said Tom.

3 'Could you translate this for me, please?' I asked the official.

4 'Shall we ever meet again?' he wondered.

5 'Will you be here tomorrow?' she asked. 'Yes,' I answered.

6 'Could I lose five kilos in a week?' said the fat woman. 'No,' said the doctor.

7 'Will you have a drink?' he said.

8 'Why don't you install gas central heating?' said the advertisement. (urge)

9 'Will you read this very carefully, please?' he said to me.

10 'Shall I tell him what happened?' she asked me.

11 'Wouldn't you like to look ten years younger?' said the hairdresser.

12 I'm going to Brighton tomorrow,' said Ann. 'So am I,' said Tom. 'Would you like a lift?' (Tom said he was too and...)

13 'Can I have a sweet?' said the small boy.

14 'Can we stay up till the end of the programme?' said the children.

15 'Could I have the weekend off?' he asked his boss.

16 'Could I leave early on Friday?' he said.

17 'Why don't you like pop music?' the teenagers asked him.

18 'Why don't you take up the oboe again?' said my friends, (advise)

19 'Where shall I hang my new picture?' he said. 'Would it look well over the mantelpiece?'

20 'What shall I do if the car won't start?' I said.

21 'Have you got enough money? Shall I lend you some?' said my friend.

22 'Will you be able to guide me or shall I bring a map?' I asked.

23 'You won't forget to shut the door, will you?' she said. (remind)

24 'Would you like to see over the house?' I asked her.

25 'Would you like to peel the potatoes?' said Ann, handing me a knife.

26 I've got two tickets. Would you like to come with me?' he said.

27 'Can you use a word processor?' he asked. 'No,' I said.

28 'Would you mind living by yourself for six months?' they asked.

29 'Would you mind paying cash?' said my landlady when I took out my cheque-book.

30 'Why don't you trust him?' I asked Ann. 1 never trust left-handed men,' she answered.