Mastering English Reported Speech and Causative Verbs with Practical Examples

Introduction to Reported Speech and Verb Patterns

Transforming direct speech into reported speech requires mastering specific reporting verbs and their grammatical structures, such as infinitives, gerunds, and clauses.

Part 1: Reported Speech Examples

• “Don’t forget to buy milk!” said Antonio to Lucia. (remind, using infinitive)
  Antonio reminded Lucia to buy milk.

• “You shouldn’t go into the water” said the coast guard. (advise against)
  The coast guard advised me not to go into the water.

• “I’ll go to France on holiday” said John. (decide, using infinitive)
  John decided to go to France.

• “I think you should go to the dentist” Julie said to Tom. (advise, using infinitive)
  Julie advised Tom to go to the dentist.

• “You should apply for the job” said Jack to Stella. (encourage)
  Jack encouraged Stella to apply for the job.

• “Okay, Keiko can go to the party” said Keiko’s mum. (agree, using clause)
  Mum agreed to let Keiko go to the party.

• “The class will start later on Tuesdays” said the teacher to us. (explain + clause)
  The teacher explained that the class would start later on Tuesdays.

• “It’s a great idea to go to the beach” said Maria. (recommend + verb-ing)
  Maria recommended going to the beach.

• “Don’t cross the road there” she said to the children. (warn, using infinitive)
  She warned the children not to cross the road there.

• “I’ll make the coffee!” said David. (insist + on)
  David insisted on making the coffee.

• “I’ll study really hard for the exam” said Luke. (promise + to + infinitive)
  Luke promised to study for the exam.

• “Right, let’s buy the car in the morning!” we said. (agree + infinitive)
  We agreed to buy the car in the morning.

• “Don’t forget that Lucy needs to go to the dentist” she said to me. (remind, using clause)
  She reminded me that Lucy needed to go to the dentist.

• “How about having Indian food?” I said. (suggest, using verb-ing)
  I suggested eating Indian food.

• “I’ll be early” I said to my mother. (promise + clause)
  I promised my mother that I would be early.

• “I’m sorry I forgot your birthday” said Amanda to me. (apologise)
  Amanda apologised for forgetting my birthday.

• “I’ll leave at six pm!” John said. (decide + clause)
  John decided that he would leave at six pm.

Part 2: Transforming Direct Speech

1. “I didn't do it,” she said.
   She denied doing it.

2. “Have lunch with me,” she said.
   She invited me to have lunch.

3. “Why don't you buy one?” said Tom.
   Tom suggested buying one.

4. “I promise I'll take you to Prague,” said Mary.
   Mary promised to take me to Prague.

5. “I won't do it,” he said.
   He refused to do that.

6. “You should have lessons,” she said.
   She advised me to take lessons.

7. “We really must go with you,” they said.
   They insisted on going with me.

8. “Don't forget to phone Granny,” said Mum.
   Mum reminded me to phone Granny.

9. “If you wear my T-shirt again, I'll pinch you very hard,” said Maggy.
   Maggie threatened to pinch me.

10. “Don't fly kites near electric overhead cables,” said my father.
    My father warned me not to fly kites near electric overhead cables.

Causative Verbs Exercises

Practice using causative verbs (have, get, make, let) correctly in context.

1. They really wanted to go fishing, but the coastguard wouldn’t ______ let ___ them.
2. I can’t believe she _____ make ____ you take your shoes off.
3. How did you get them to eat their vegetables? I can never ___ get ______ Paul to eat his.
4. The teacher ___ had ______ everyone in the class write an essay about their holiday.
5. The teacher ____ had _____ everyone write on their computers.
6. Jane hates the dentist, but after a week of pain her husband ___ got _____ her to see one.
7. Paul Slough asked for an expense report, so I _____ had ____ the assistant fax one to him.
8. The matron hates comedy films, and she never ___ let _____ the children watch them.
9. My girlfriend finally __ got _______ me to meet her parents last week.
10. How did you ___ get ______ the doctor to give you his home number? He’s usually so private.
11. Would you _____ make ____ them bring the car to the front of the house?
12. Louise hated Jodie, but their mums ____ let _____ them play together.
13. There was no room for error in the contract, so I ________ everyone in the team read through it three times to avoid mistakes.
14. Lee’s wife doesn’t like him playing on the Xbox, but he somehow ________ her to ________ him play every day.

Reporting Verb Patterns Reference Table