English Unlimited HAK/HUM 3, Schulbuch mit Audio-CD und CD-ROM (mit Handelskorrespondenz)

190 Grammar reference and practice FORM Reporting verbs are followed by different patterns. Many verbs can be followed by more than one pattern. Tell must be followed by a direct object. Ask is usually followed by a direct object. She told me what to do. She asked me what to do. Some verbs never have a direct object, e.g. say , explain , agree , lie . They said they’re on the way. (not They said me they’re on the way. ) + that clause wh clause to infinitive say He said that he’s sorry. He won’t say what’s wrong. – tell She told me that she’s got the job. She told me what to do. She told us to leave. ask – She asked me what to do. They asked us to leave. explain He explained that the figures were wrong. They explained why we had to go. – promise He promised (me) that he would help. – He promised to help. agree They agreed that it was a good idea. They agreed where to meet. They agreed to do it. other verbs + that clause complain, decide, guarantee, mention, recall, suggest, warn + wh clause consider, decide, discuss + to infinitive decide, offer, refuse In reported speech, the verb can change ‘one tense back’. This often emphasises that what you are reporting is not a fact, but it’s just what someone said. Compare these examples: “I’m married.” He told me he ’s married. or He told me he was married. “I’ve been to Guatemala.” She said she ’s been to Guatemala. or She said she ’d been to Guatemala. “The figures are wrong.” They explained that the figures are wrong. or They explained that the figures were wrong. “I needed to see my brother.” He explained that he needed to see his brother. or He explained that he had needed to see his brother. Note: Pronouns and adverbs of time / place also change: pronouns this, these that, those adverbs of time today / tonight yesterday tomorrow last week next week that day / night the day before the day after the week before the week after adverbs of place here there PRACTICE 1 Complete sentences 1–7 reporting Anna and Bill’s conversation. Anna: (1) Do you know how to cook this soup? Bill: Yeah, (2) I make it all the time! Anna: (3) Can you help me? Bill: (4) Yes, of course. I’ll make it, if you like. Anna: Oh thanks. (5) But I’d like to know how to do it. Maybe we could do it together. Bill: (6) Yeah, of course. So, first of all, you chop the veg. (7) Can you do that? 1 2 Bill said that he 3 Anna asked him 4 He offered 5 Anna said 6 They agreed 7 Then Bill asked Anna 2 Turn sentences 1–6 into reported speech. 1 The IT manager said, “We developed new computer software last month to catch email liars.” 2 The Head of Personnel announced, “My new PA will start work next week.” 3 The CEO warned, “The new marketing manager has not approved these plans yet.” 4 The tour guide suggested, “Let’s go and see The Sound of Music this evening.” 5 In the past, psychologists claimed, “Women are more talkative than men.” 6 Jo’s superior asked her, “Why didn’t you turn up for the meeting yesterday?” Unit 9 Indirect questions MEANING Indirect questions are more formal and polite than direct questions. You often use them when you talk to strangers or people you don’t know well. You tend to begin a conversation with indirect questions, then continue with direct questions. Anna asked Bill how to cook the soup. Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eig ntum des Verlags öbv