Direct speech and indirect speech are ways people express how something was said. Direct speech also called quoted speech is said exactly how the speaker initially spoke the words. Indirect speech also called reported speech is reported back not using the exact words as the original speaker.
Along with "say (said)", "tell (told)", and "ask (asked)", there are many other verbs that can be used to report what someone said. These are some of the most commonly used reporting verbs.
The format for these commonly-used reporting verbs is "reporting verb + infinitive (to + verb)".
The format for these commonly used reporting verbs is "reporting verb + that + clause".
Directions: Choose the correct answer.
1) The police __________ him to get a lawyer.
a. advised
b. complained
c. answered
2) Mark __________ that he hated his job.
a. suggested
b. complained
c. proposed
3) Linda __________ people that something bad might happen.
a. warned
b. offered
c. considered
4) James __________ to help them with their project.
a. claimed
b. reported
c. offered
5) Susan __________ to know where the evidence was hidden.
a. explained
b. claimed
c. replied
6) The athlete __________ to the reporter's question.
a. offered
b. suggested
c. replied
Directions: Choose the correct answer.
1) "If I were you, I would see a doctor about that pain," Janice said to Tina.
Janice __________ Tina to see a doctor.
a. advised
b. repeated
c. suggested
d. commented
2) John told his son, "I will be at your graduation ceremony. You have my word."
John __________ to be at his son's graduation ceremony.
a. suggested
b. promised
c. answered
d. advised
3) Larry said, "I already told you I don't like Chinese food. But I'll say it again. I don't like Chinese food."
Larry __________ that he did not like Chinese food.
a. advised
b. repeated
c. suggested
d. commented
4) She said, "Yes, I am in high school."
She __________ that she was in high school.
a. suggested
b. promised
c. answered
d. advised
5) "I have a better way to do it," I said.
I __________ that I had a better way to do it.
a. suggested
b. promised
c. answered
d. advised
6) He said, "I don't like the color of the walls."
He __________ that he did not like the color of the walls.
a. advised
b. repeated
c. suggested
d. commented
Quiz 1 Answers
1) a. advised
2) b. complained
3) a. warned
4) c. offered
5) b. claimed
6) c. replied
Quiz 2 Answers
1) a. advised
2) b. promised
3) b. repeated
4) c. answered
5) a. suggested
6) d. commented
