Indirect statements

Indirect statements are generally introduced by the verbs to say, to tell, to announce and in official style by the verb to inform.

With the verbs to tell and to inform the person addressed is always mentioned. With the verbs to say and to announce the person addressed may or may not be mentioned. If it is mentioned, the preposition to is used.

She said(to us), “There are interesting magazines in the reading-hall.”	She said(she told us) that there were interesting magazines in the reading-hall.
She said(to us), “I am leaving for good.”	She announced to us that she was leaving for good.
The monitor saidto us, “There will be a meeting to-night.”	The monitor informed us that there would be a meeting that night.

One night the telephone bell rang and he (Cowperwood) informed her that he

was compelled to remain at the office late. (Dreiser)

The verb to say is used to introduce both direct and indirect speech if the person addressed is not mentioned. If the person is mentioned, the verb to tell is preferable; if the verb to say is used, the preposition to is necessary.

She said,“I’ll be back directly.”

She saidshe would be back directly.

You said that you would give me back my letter, didn’t you? (Wilde)

The Miller said to his wife that he would go down and see Little Hans.

(Wilde)

The verb to tell is used to introduce indirect speech only; the person addressed must be mentioned.

She said to us, “I’ve received an interesting letter.”

She told us she had received an interesting letter.

N o t e 1. — The verb to tell is used without the person addressed being

mentioned in sentences as The book tells of the life of Negroes, also in the

expressions to tell a lie, to tell the truth, to tell a story.

N o t e 2. — The verb to speak never introduces indirect speech because it is

never followed by an object clause (it can only be followed by an object

clause with a preposition).

Therefore the sentence ‘Он говорил, что любит музыку’ should be rendered

in the following way: He said he was fond of music.

N o t e 3. — It should be noted that the verb to speak cannot take a direct

object, unless it is the name of a language or the noun truth in the expression

to speak the truth. ‘Он говорил много интересного’ should be rendered in

the following way: He said many interesting things.

An emphatic statement tinged with emotion is often introduced by the verb to declare.

She said,“It’s the dullest book I’ve ever read.”

She declaredit was the dullest book she had ever read.

The innkeeper declared that he really wanted to go to Oakbourne. (Eliot)

Other verbs are also used to introduce statements. According to the character of the statement, the verbs to promise, to remark, to remind, to assure, to admit, to deny etc. are frequently used.

He saidto me, “ I hope you have not forgotten that there will be a meeting to-night.”	He remindedme that there would be a meeting that night.
He said,“The text is rather difficult.”	He remarkedthat the text was rather difficult.
He said,“Idid speak to her about that.”	He admittedhaving spoken to her about that.
He said,“Inever spoke to her.”	He deniedhaving spoken to her.
The child saidto his mother, “I’ll never disobey you again.”	The child promised his mother never to disobey her again.
She saidto them, “I’ll certainly come in time.”	She assured them that she would come in time.