Using indirect speech to report words and ideas
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Uses of indirect speech | page 3 of 5 |
Indicating how a reported clause is to be interpreted
Indirect speech allows a speaker or writer to say how a reported clause is to be interpreted through the use of different reporting verbs:
New Zealand manager Colin Meads came up to me and apologised that they could not stay at the dinner any longer. (Bank of English)
Here, the verb apologised is used not only to report what Colin Meads said; it is also used to say that what Meads said was intended as an apology. Here are some other examples where the reporting verbs show how a reported clause should be interpreted:
She claimed that this was contrary to the sex discrimination act of 1975.
(Bank of English)They complained that they couldn't sleep because it had gone so quiet.
(Bank of English)He then ordered her to tie up her gardener husband. (SCMP 14/5/94)
He promised to meet us. (SCMP 26/9/92)
He suggested that developers should not be allowed to appeal after proposals had been turned down twice. (SCMP 10/8/92)
But he warned that alarms would not scare away determined car thieves.
(SCMP 16/3/93)
Introduction
Indicating how a reported clause is to be interpreted
