The sequence of tenses Reporting in the Present Tense

When the reporting is in the present tense(says, mention), then the tense of the verb in the Direct speech ('m having, like, ’ll be) doesn’t change.

Example:

Direct Speech		Reported(Indirect) Speech
“I'm having a great time in New York.”		Simon sayshe's havinga great time in New York.
“We'll behome next Tuesday.”		He saysthey'll be home next Tuesday.

Exercise 1

Turn these sentences from DirectintoReported(Indirect) speech.

1. "I’ve finished my work,” she says.

2. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asks him.

3. “Don’t play with matches,” parents tell their kids.

4. “Will you be home soon?” she asks her husband.

5. “I’ll clean the car tomorrow,” Tim promises.

6. “I can do it tomorrow,” he remarks.

7. “You must be back at 10.00,” the father says to his daughter.

8. “They should try harder,” the experts recommend.

9. “May I call you by your first name?” he asks her.

10. “My brother has been working for the same company for 5 years,” she

adds.

Exercise 2

Kidnapped!

Someone has kidnapped the son of the industrialist James Thornton.

The Thorntons have just received this note from the kidnappers.

What does the note say? Finish telling what the note says.

Example:

• The note says they have kidnapped the Thorntons’ son.

• It says ……………………………………………………………

Exercise 3 Sports at school

Amanda is doing a survey for the newspaper. She’s asking pupils what they think about sports at school.

S I M O N

A: Answer the questions.

What does Simon say about the number of sports lessons?

He says that the two lessons a week are not enough.

1. What does Beth say about judo and tennis?

___________________________________________________________

2. What does Dave say about the sports they do at school?

___________________________________________________________

3. What does Maria say about marks for games?

___________________________________________________________

4. What does Simon say about physical fitness?

___________________________________________________________

5. What does Mark say about maths and geography?

___________________________________________________________

6. What does Jill say about running round the gym?

___________________________________________________________

7. What does Dave say about a sports injury?

___________________________________________________________

8. What does Jill say about games at school?

___________________________________________________________

9. What does Maria say about pupils who are too weak or unfit?

___________________________________________________________

10. What does Beth say about aerobics and self-defence?

___________________________________________________________

B: Work with a partner. Say what you think about the number of times you

have games classes each week and the kinds of games you play. Your

partner then reports what you say to the class.

You :"We have too many games classes."

Partner:He says we have too many games classes.

Exercise 4