reported speech

Status
Not open for further replies.

tranlam1609

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Vietnam
Current Location
Vietnam
1. She said to me (that) she was tired. (Is "that" optional here?)
2. She said "I am tired."
a. She said to me she was tired.
b. She said she was tired.
c. She told me she was tired.
Are all above sentences(a, b, c) acceptable if I want to change 2 into reported speech?
Thank for your help.
 

Raymott

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Australia
Current Location
Australia
Re: repoerted speech

1. Yes, though I'd use it. I don't like 2a.
2. b. is the only possible translation. (There is nothing in the index sentence about 'to me' - so you're adding information in a and c). Otherwise, c would be OK.
 

tranlam1609

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Vietnam
Current Location
Vietnam
Re: repoerted speech

"Don't be afraid." he said.
We have to add an object when we change it into reported speech, don't we? Like this: He told me not to be afraid.
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Re: repoerted speech

No, you do not have to add the object. You don't actually know from "Don't be afraid," he said who it was said to. He may have said it to another person.

He said not to be afraid. That is all.

"Don't be afraid," he said to his sister.
He told his sister not to be afraid.
 

tranlam1609

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Vietnam
Current Location
Vietnam
Re: repoerted speech

(It's in an exercise)
He said "You can go."
He said.....
Do we have to decide an object?: He said I could go.
 

Raymott

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Australia
Current Location
Australia
Re: repoerted speech

Yes, you have to write something. That's what I'd write. But it's still an assumption not contained in the original.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
Re: repoerted speech

If the exercise doesn't provide any more information,then your answer is fine- they should accept any possible correct answer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top