Reporting verbs Gaz: “I am very hungry.” Gaz said (that) he was very hungry. Gaz told me (that) he was very hungry.
Reporting Questions Gaz: “Do you like haggis?” Gaz asked me if I liked haggis. The verb goes after the subject, not before it. Do/does/did disappear and the verb assumes its present simple/past simple form. In yes/no questions, insert if or whether.
Reporting Commands Gaz: “Start the car.” Gaz told me to start the car. Gaz “Don’t open the door.” Gaz told me not to open the door.
Reporting Requests Gaz: “Start the car, please.” Gaz asked me to start the car. Gaz “Can you open the door, please?” Gaz asked me to open the door. Gaz asked me if I could open the door.
Reporting Requests Will Can May Must Could Might Should Would Could Had to These verbs don’t change
Reporting Verbs agree offer refuse promise threaten (not) to do something
Reporting Verbs advise ask convince encourage invite persuade remind tell warn somebody (not) to do something
Reporting Verbs apologize for accuse somebody of admit blame somebody for deny insist on recommend regret suggest (not) doing something