podEnglish Intermediate 58 Office Gossip

direct and indirect speech
gossip

direct speech : use speaker's exact words
-> Aelred : What's on your mind, Nick ? Sit down.
-> Nick: Well, Kirsten and Bill are dating.

indirect speech : report meaning, not exact words used.
- verbs are moved into the past
-> Aelred asked Nick to sit down and tell him what happened.
-> Nick told him that Kirsten and Bill were dating.

translate direct speech to indirect speech
1.
Aelred : And you say everyone know about this ?
-> Aelred asked if everyone knew about the situation.

2.
Nick : Bill is unprofessional.
-> Nick said that Bill was unprofessional.

3.
Nick : Nobody respects Kirsten anymore.
-> Nick said that nobody respected Kirsten anymore.

4.
Kirsten : I don't like people who spread rumors.
-> Kirsten said that she didn't like people who spread rumors.