T: In Grammar definitions, you will find a summary of basic reported speech. This most commonly involves using the verbs say, tell and ask, as well as changes of verb tenses, times, places and pronouns: (Show the following on the PowerPoint.)

 "I am going to the shop."

 He said (that) he was going to the shop.

 "Sit down and open your books."

 She told us to sit down and open our books.

 "Will you come with us tomorrow?"

 He asked me if I would go with them the following day.

A native speaker of English, however, will often use reporting verbs other than just say, tell and ask. Compare the following:

 "I didn't do it!"

 He said that he hadn't done it.

 He denied that he had done it OR He denied doing it.

 "I'll bring the book back tomorrow."

 She said that she would bring the book back the following day.

 She promised to bring the book back the following day.

 "Please will you think about it some more?"

 He asked me if I would think about it some more.

 He begged me to think about it some more.

 "First you should put the money in the slot and then you should press the button."

 She said that I should first put the money in the slot and then press the button.

 She explained what I should do.

Notice that different reporting verbs are followed by different structures, i.e.

 deny + that-clause OR

 deny + -ing form

 promise + infinitive

 beg + object + infinitive

SUMMARY OF REPORTING VERBS