Reporting verbs and adjectives in direct/indirect speech

The commonest reporting verbs in both direct and indirect speech are say, tell and ask Many other verbs can be followed by that or ii, whether and can serve as reporting verbs [> App 45]. A number of these do not strictly 'report speech' (actual spoken words), but thoughts, feelings, etc. That is why 'indirect speech', as a term, is preferable to 'reported speech'. Similarly, a number of adjectives, such as certain, sure [> App 44] can be followed by that if, whether (whether) to and question-words.

15.7 The verbs 'say', 'tell' and 'ask'

15.7.1 Basic uses of 'say', 'tell' and 'ask'

These three verbs do not follow the same pattern. The most important thing to remember is that fe//must be followed by a personal indirect object (tell somebody ). Say can be followed by an optional to+ the person who is addressed:

You haven't got much time, he told me/he said (to me)

'Say', 'tell' and 'ask'

Ask can be followed by an indirect object [> 15.17, 16.20]:

'Are you comfortable?' he asked (me)

He asked (me) if I was comfortable In reported requests [> 15.24, 16.20] the inclusion or not of an object affects the meaning:

She asked to go(actual spoken words: 'May I go?')

She asked me to go(actual spoken words: 'Will you go? )

The following references give further details about say tell and ask :

- say in direct speech in writing [> 15.2-3, 15.8].

- say + that-clause, indirect statement [> 15.9-16].

- say if/whether + indirect Yes/No question [> 15.I8ns3,8].

- say + indirect Wh-question [> 15.20n.3],

- say + to-infinitive [> 15.24.1].

- tell somebody in direct speech in writing [> 15.2-3, 15.8].

- tell somebody + that-clause, indirect statement [> 15.9-16].

- tell somebody + if/whether + indirect Yes/No question [> 15.18n8].

- tell somebody + indirect Wh-question [> 15.20n.3],

- tell somebody + to-infinitive [> 15.23-24, 16.21, 16.25].

- ask (somebody) in direct speech in writing [> 15.2-3, 15.8],

- ask (somebody) + if/whether + indirect Yes/No question [> 15.9, 15 17-18].

- ask (somebody) + Wh-question [> 15.19-22].

- ask (somebody) + to-infinitive [> 15.23-24, 16.20].

- ask that something (should) be done [> 11.75.2].

15.7.2 Secondary uses of 'say', 'tell' and 'ask'

- say so: 'The meeting's off,' Jill said
'Who says so?
'The boss says so/said so,' Jill answered

- the passive 'He is said to be' [> I2.8n.3] does not have an active equivalent: Not "They say him to", but: They say (that) he is

- say + object in fixed expressions: e.g. say a few words, say no more, say nothing, say (your) prayers, say something

- tell somebody so: 'You were right about the meeting.' I said
I told you so,' Jill answered

- tell + object in fixed expressions: e.g. (can) tell the difference tell a lie tell a story, tell the time tell the truth

- ask for something: ask somebody for something: / asked for a loan I asked Jim fora loan

I — ask in fixed expressions: e.g. ask after someone, ask (for) a favour

ask the price, ask a question, ask the time