REPORTED STATEMENTS

They are used when we report someone’s words.

To report use the introductory sentences:
 S + told me + sentence
 S + said that + sentence
Grammar structure:
Simple present tense I travel a lot in my job
(report in the simple past)
He said that he traveled a lot in his job

Present continuous My baby is sleeping

(report in the past continuous) She said that her baby was sleeping

Simple past We lived in China for 5 years

(report in the past perfect) She told me they had lived in China for 5 years

Past continuous I was walking down the road when I saw the accident

(report in the past perfect He told me he had been walking down the road when
continuous)
he had seen the accident

Present perfect I haven’t seen Julie

(report in the past perfect) She said that she hadn’t seen Julie

Past perfect They had already eaten when I arrived

(it doesn’t change in reported He said they had already eaten when he had arrived
statements)

Future I will see you later

(reported with “would”) He told me he would see me later

Can I can speak perfect English

(reported with “could”) She said that she could speak perfect English

Could I could swim very well

(it doesn’t change in reported He said that he could swim very well
statements)

Should/might/may/must You should take your vitamins

He told me I should take my vitamins

 (it doesn’t change in reported
statements)

EXERCISES:
1. “My dad was a teacher”. She told me her dad ____________________ a teacher.
2. “We have been waiting for hours”. He said that they _______________________ for
hours.
3. “I didn’t go to the party because I was too tired”. He said that he _______________
to the party because I was too tired.
4. “I work for a bank”. She told me that she __________________ for a bank.

CAUSATIVE GET AND HAVE

They are used to show that someone or something caused something to happen.
Have means that somebody does something for you because you pay or ask them to do it,
but you don’t say who this person is (mandatory).
HAVE SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING
Examples:
S + HAVE + SOMEONE + DO SOMETHING
The teacher had the students write a test
Did you have the electrician repair the TV
Get means that somebody does something for you because you persuade them to do it
(kind way) more neutral.
Examples:
S + GET + SOMEONE + TO DO SOMETHING
I got my kids to go to bed

EXERCISES:
1. I can never get my wife to cook dinner
2. I’ll have my assistant call you with the details.
3. Can you ever get your sister to stop fighting?
4. I have the plumber fix the leak