Reported Speech:Reported Questions (+ one more amazing song!!!)

Hello,dear learners!
The second lesson is about reported questions. Lesson #1 is here.
Reported questions are usually introduced with the verbs ask, wonder,want to know , etc.
He asked when Ann would come back.
I wonder if it's possible to book a table for Saturday.

•  In the reported questions we use affirmative word order. We put a full stop "." instead of the question mark "?"  :

Direct question:                                     What countries have you been to?
Reported questions :        They asked me what countries I had been to.
Direct question :                                          Do you like London?
Reported question:          They wanted to know if I liked London.

• The verb tenses,pronouns,time expressions should be changed as in statements.
• When the direct question begins with the auxiliary verb (do, did, have, had, can, will, etc.) we use words if or whether to report the question:

Direct question : Are you a happy person?
Reported question: They wondered if / whether I was a happy person.
Direct question : Does Ann play football?
Reported question: He asked me if /whether Ann played football.

• When the direct question begins with the question  words (who, what, how, where, etc.)

the reported question begins with the same question word :
Direct question: Where are you from?
Reported question: They wanted to know where I was from.
Direct question:  What is Sam doing here?
Reported question: She asked what Sam was doing there.

So to avoid mistakes, one should remember these rules:

• if the introductory verb is in a past tense we should change the verb  tenses  and time expressions in reported speech (more is here);
• the reported question is an affirmative sentence, so  subject is followed by  predicate;
• there is a difference between general (begins with auxiliary verbs) and special (begins with question words) reported questions.

painter Fritz Willis 

Practice.
 Turn the following sentences into  direct speech:

I saw her one morning in the warm morning light
She looked as sweet as could be
Something inside me said she was the one
Who would be marrying me

I asked her her name and she said it was joy
Asked her if she'd like some joy with this boy
She said that she might try it out just for fun
I think I've convinced her now the fun has begun.

You'll find the answers  here:

I saw her one morning in the warm morning light
She looked as sweet as could be
Something inside me said she was the one
Who would be marrying me  /direct speech : She is the one who would be marrying me.

I asked her her name and she said it was Joy / direct speech : She said:'It is Joy!'
Asked her if she'd like some joy with this boy /direct speech: I asked her: "Would you like some joy with this boy?"
She said that she might try it out just for fun / direct speech: She said: "I might try it out just for fun"
I think I've convinced her now the fun has begun.

The examples are taken from the lyrics of the Smokie's song Talking her around. Let's sing,learn and enjoy!

I saw her one morning in the warm morning light
She looked as sweet as could be
Something inside me said she was the one
Who would be marrying me

But it's talking her round to seeing my way
Trying to convince her but it's taking all day
Thinking about what she might do and say
Hoping to God that she sees it my way

I asked her her name and she said it was joy
Asked her if she'd like some joy with this boy
She said that she might try it out just for fun
I think I've convinced her now the fun has begun

But it's talking her round to seeing my way
Trying to convince her but it's taking all day
Thinking about what she might do and say
Hoping to God that she sees it my way

Oh, when I see her walk by me it brings warmth to my body
To touch her brings life to my soul
And when she's in the room I can't see anybody
I'll love her till we both grow old

It's funny how love strikes and still you don't know
If it's right, if it's wrong, if it's fast, if it's slow
But one thing's for sure she's the best piece I've seen
I know when she's coming I know where she's been

But it's talking her round to seeing my way
Trying to convince her but it's taking all day
Thinking about what she might do and say
Hoping to God that she sees it my way

Talking her round to seeing my way
Trying to convince her but it's taking all day
Thinking about what she might do and say
Hoping to God that she sees it my way

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