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Curso Avanzado de Inglés de Negocios

LOS CURSOS DE INGLES GRATIS PREFERIDOS POR LOS HISPANOHABLANTES

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STEP 4

Grammar: Reported Speech

	When we want to relate what someone said or thought, we can either use direct speech or reported speech. There are several changes that take place when converting direct speech into reported speech. Look at the following examples:
	DIRECT SPEECH: "We are totally committed to product quality in the company," said Paul Moore.
	REPORTED SPEECH: Paul Moore said that they were totally committed to product quality in the company.

Note that the present tense verb in direct speech (are) becomes a past tense verb in reported speech (were). Such tense changes take place when the reporting verb (e.g. said, told, asked) is in the past. Other tense changes can be summarised as follows:

	DIRECT SPEECH		REPORTED SPEECH
	Present Simple		Past Simple
	Where do you work?		He asked me where I worked.
	Present Continuous		Past Continuous
	We are expanding rapidly.		She said that they were expanding rapidly.
	Past Simple		Past Perfect
	Prices went up in 2000.		He said that prices had gone up in 2000.
	Present Perfect		Past Perfect
	Have you finished the report?		She asked me if I had finished the report.
	Past Perfect		Past Perfect
	I had bought the best shares.		He said that he had bought the best shares.
	will		would
	I will probably be late.		She said that she would probably be late.
	can		could
	I can't afford it.		He said that he couldn't afford it.

Note that to report affirmative and negative statements you usually use the reporting verbs say or tell, and to report questions you generally use the verb ask. But many other reporting verbs can also be used for specific situations:

remind (recall someone from memory), claim (assert, affirm),
explain (make comprehensible), add (say further), announce (make known),
point out (remark, comment), think (believe), stress (emphasize),
promise (make a promise), warn (notify of danger or risk)

STEP 5

Grammar: Activity with Answer

		The following sentences are extracts from a speech given by Charles Lewis, the Marketing Manager of United Tobacco, at a meeting with members of his department. Choose the best alternative from the menu to put each sentence into Reported Speech.
ANSWERS
		*THE CHINESE MARKET*

	1.	"Let me refresh your memories about the importance of the Chinese market."
		He reminded us that the Chinese market important.
	2.	"I believe that China can be the world's most lucrative market."
		He claimed that China the world's most lucrative market.

	3.	"That is why we established manufacturing plants there as soon as possible."
		He explained that that was why we manufacturing
		plants there as soon as possible

	4.	"China is planning to ban cigarette advertising in the media and in public places."
		He announced that China to ban cigarette advertising in the

		media and in public places.
	5.	"I have to make you aware of the real danger of this law."
		He warned us that this law really dangerous.

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