Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

clauses

reported

reporting

---

● Reporting polar (yes-no) and alternative questions:

Pointing at my forehead, he asked 

if I had been fighting

.

She took his hand and asked 

whether he had slept

.

I asked her 

if she was full-time or just part-time

.

● Reporting directives:

A: I told you 

to phone her up

.

B: I know. Er, sorry, I forgot.

The doctor ordered him 

to rest for at least a month

.

When someone’s words are reported indirectly, pronouns, tenses, clause types,

etc. change to reflect the situation of the current report in relation to the original

moment of speaking of the words reported.

Example 1 above (She said, “What shall I do?”) would typically be made into

an indirect report as in 1a:

1a She asked what she should do.

● I has now become she, as the speaker is reporting the words of a female third

person.

● Shall has become should to reflect the time lapse since the words were uttered.

● The interrogative clause has become declarative as the clause is now an indirect

report and is no longer a direct question.

● Said has become asked as a question is being reported.

Example 2 above (“Where are you going?” he asked.) would typically be made

into an indirect report as in 2a, with similar changes to the grammar of pronouns,

tenses and clause types:

2a He asked where I was/we were/they were going.