Grammar: Reported Speech

Direct speech is the exact words someone said or wrote.

Reported speech is retelling exactly what someone said or wrote, without using their actual words.

There are three types of Direct Speech A. statements

which can be reported: B. questions
C. commands/requests

Direct Speech Reported Speech

• STATEMENT • THAT-CLAUSE
"The plane will be late, " they said. They said (that) the plane would be late.
• QUESTION • WH-CLAUSE or IF-CLAUSE
"Why are you late?" she asked. She asked why I was late.
"Are you feeling well?" he asked me. He asked me if I was feeling well.
• COMMAND/REQUEST • TO-INFINITIVE
"Don't touch it!" he said. He told me not to touch it.
"Turn on the light, please, "he said. He asked me to turn on the light.
The most common reporting verbs are say, tell and ask.

• We use saywith or without to + personal object in direct speech but without to + personal object in reported speech.
"/ don't know what to do," he said to Mary.
He said (that) he didn't know what to do.
• We use tell in direct and reported speech with a personal object.
"/ don't know where the cafe is ", she told me.
She told MaIY to wait outside the Principal's office.
Notes
• We can use say + infinitive.
The teacher said to study harder.
• We cannot use say about. We can use tell sb/speak/talk about instead.
He told us/spoke/talked about his experiences travelling in Canada.
• We use ask in reported questions and commands.
He said to me, "Please don't move!"
He asked me not to move.
He said, 'Do you like strawberries ?"
He asked me if / liked strawberries.

There are some common expressions with say, tell and ask. These are:
say say good morning etc, say a few words, say no more, say one's prayers, say sth, say so, say for certain, etc
tell tell the truth, tell a lie, tell sb the time, tell sb one's name, tell sb's fortune, tell a story, tell a secret, tell sb so,
tell sb the way, tell one from another, tell the difference, etc
ask ask a favour, ask the time, ask a question, ask the price, etc

1 Fill in the blanks with say, tell, speak or ask in the right form.

o "I don't think he will be on time," he f3aid. 4 Father used to ......................... us a story before
1 Mark likes ......................... about his schooldays. we went to bed.
2 She ........................ the price of the hairdryer that 5 Sharon ................................. me to help her with
was in the sale. her homework.
3 He ....................... goodbye to his mother and leFt 6 "I can't .............. her secret," she ................ to me.
for school. 7 I think he will come but I can't ............... for certain.

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 5a Grammar: Reported Sp
. . . . . r···. C·HANGING FROM DIRECT INTO REPORTED SPEECH
..........1.. ·.. ··· .... ·.. ················ .. ··········

• Verb tenses change as follows:

Direct Speech Reported Speech
Simple Present Simple Past
"/ can't stand that boy she said. /I ---+ She said (that) she couldn't stand that boy
Present Continuous Past Continuous
·I'm having a nice time, " she said. ---+ She said (that) she was having a nice time
Present Perfect Simple Past Perfect Simple
"I've booked my summer holiday, he said. /I ---+ He said (that) he had booked his summer holiday.
Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous
"I've been waiting for you all morning, he said. /I ---+ He said (that) he had been waiting for me all morning
Simple Past Past Perfect
"/failed my driving test, he said. /I ---+ He said (that) he had failed his driving test.
Simple Future Conditional
"l'll tidy my room tomorrow, she said. /I ---+ She said (that) she would tidy her room the next day.
Future Continuous Conditional Continuous
"/'ll be working in Paris next year, he said. /I ---+ He said (that) he would be working in Paris the following
year.
Note: Past Perfect Simple and Continuous do not change their forms in Reported Speech.
• The following words also change:
Direct Speech Reported Speech
this/these that/those/the
here there
come go
bring take
He said to me, "Come and look at this bird. /I He told me to go and look at that bird.
She said to me, /lStand here and wait for me. /I She told me to stand there and wait for her.
• Pronouns and possessive adjectives change according to the meaning of the sentence.
Direct Speech Reported Speech
He said, /1/ can't do it myself /I He said (that) he couldn't do it himself
• Time expressions change as follows:

Direct Speech Reported Speech

tonight that night
now then, at that time, at once/immediately
now that since
today that day
yesterday the day before, the previous day
tomorrow the day after, the followi ng day, the next day
tomorrow morning the morning after, the following morning/the next morning
last night the night before, the previous night
the day before yesterday two days before
the day after tomorrow in two days time/in two days
this week/month/year that week/month/year
last week/month/year/Monday etc the previous week/month/year/Monday etc
next week/month/year/Monday etc the following week/month/year/Monday etc
two days/years etc, ago two days/years etc, before

/tHe left last week, she said. 1/ ---+ She said (that) he had left the previous week/the week
before.
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 5a ~ Grammar: Reported Speech

·········T·THERE IS "0 CHA"GE I" THE UERB TE"SES I" REPORTED SPEECH WHE",
··········1···········································

• the sentence expresses a general My mother said, "It gets dark earlier My mother said (that) it gets dark
truth or permanent states and in the winter." earlier in the winter.
conditions.
• the introductory verb is in the She says/will say/has said, " I can She saYS/Will say/has said (that) she
Present, Future or Present Perfect cook well./I can cook well.
tense.
• the verb of the sentence is in the He said, "I would rather go out for He said (that) he would rather go out
Unreal Past dinner. " for dinner.
(e.g. 2nd type conditionals,
wishes, it's time, would rather, She said, "It's time we went home. " She said (that) it was time they went
suppose, as if) home.

• the following verbs are used: Her boyfriend said, "I really ought to Her boyfriend said (that) he really
had better, could, would, used go home." ought to go home.
to, needn't have, should, might She said, "I'd better consult the doctor She said (that) she'd better consult the
and ought to. this evening. " doctor that evening.
• there is Past Simple or Past She said, "When I was swimming, I She said (that) when she was
Continuous in a Clause of Time. got cramp." swimming, she got cramp.
• the sentence expresses sth which He said, "Ethiopia is a third-world He said (that) Ethiopia is/was a third-
is believed to be true. In this case country. " (true) world country.
the verb tense can either change
or remain unchanged. However, He said, "Ethiopia is a highly He said (that) Ethiopia was a highly
if the sentence expresses sth which developed country. " (false) developed country.
is not true, then the verb changes.
• it is up-to-date reporting. Anne said, "I've got a headache. " Anne said (that) she's got a headache.

2 Rewrite the follOWing sentences in reported speech.

o "Don't walk on the white carpet!" said the mother 5 "Would it be possible to extend my club
to her son. membership?" Adrienne asked the manager.
The mother told her ~on not to walk on the white
carpet.
"Egypt has a very long recorded history, "she said. 6 "I have no intention of lending Nick my car," said
Diane.

2 "Do you think Terence will join us for dinner

tonight?" Joanne asked me. 7 "What did the car dealer tell you?" Isabelle asked me.

3 Peter said, "The waiter has made a mistake with the 8 "When I entered the house, there were footprints
bilL" on the floor," she said to me.

.4 "Stop picking on your younger sister, will you?" he 9 "I'd rather not leave before Leo arrives," Anna said.
said to his daughter.

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 5a Grammar: Reported Sp

·. .·. .'r/' . .
.........
···MODAL UERBS Itt REPORTED SPEECH
......................................... .

Modal verbs generally remain unchanged in reported speech. Some of them, however, change as follows:

must Direct Speech Reported Speech

I When must expresses obligation, He said, "You must try harder." He said {that} / had to try harder.
it changes into had to (when the
sentence in direct speech refers
HQ SOld, Nt mUST g~r my hOir cur. rr
Ii~ SOld (that) h~ would htJvs '0 {}~t
his hair cut.
to the present) or would have to
(when the sentence in direct
speech refers to the future).
I When must expresses advice, He said, "You must try that new He said {that} / must/should try that
duly or logical assumption, it does restaurant. " {advice} new restaurant.
not change or it changes into
He said, "You must always lock the He said {that} ! must/should always
should.
door before you leave. " {duty} lock "the door before ! leave/left.
He said, "You must be tired." {logical He said {that} ! must be tired.
assumption}
I mustn't usually remains He said to me, "You mustn't enter that He told me {that} / mustn't/wasn't to/
unchanged or it is expressed by room." couldn't enter that room. or He told
wasn't to/weren't to/couldn't or me not to enter that room.
a negative infinitive.

oon changes into: Direct Speech Reported Speech

I could when the sentence in direct He said, "/ can help you." He said {that} he could help me.
speech refers to the present.

I would be able to when the direct He said, "/ can finish it tomorrow. " He said {that} he would be able to
sentence refers to the future. finish it the following day.
shall changes into: Direct Speech Reported Speech
I offered when it expresses He said, "Shall! open the door?" He offered to open the door.
willingness to do 5th.

I should when it asks for advice. He said, "What shall! do?" He wondered what he should do.
I would when it is used to ask for He said, "When shall we arrive?" He asked when they would arrive.
information.
needn't changes into: Direct Speech Reported Speech
I didn't need to/didn't have to when She said, 'fyou needn't worry." She said! didn't need to/didn't have
the sentence in direct speech refers to/needn't worry.
to the present or remains the same.
I wouldn't have to when the She said, "You needn't give me a lift She said! wouldn't have to give her
sentence in direct speech refers tomorrow." a lift the following day.
to the future.

IG'f changes into: Direct Speech Reported Speech

I might when it expresses He said "It may snow tonight. " He said it might snow that night.
probability.

I might/could when it expresses He said "You may go." He said! might/could go.
permission or concession.

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 Sa •Grammar: Reported Speech

3 Rewrite the following sentences in reported speech.

The waitress said, "Shall I put the leftover pizza in 6 My lawyer said, "You needn't give me your final
a doggy bag for you?" answer now."

2 My boss said, "You needn't attend the meeting 7 Peter said, "1 may not finish my project in time."
tomorrow."

8 The chairperson said, "We must meet again on

3 The supervisor said, "You mustn't overlook such a Saturday afternoon."
serious mistake again."

9 The assistant chef said, "What shall I do with the

4 Margaret said to the airhostess, "When shall we be extra pastry dough?"
landing?"

10 He said, "You must be very hungry."

5 Martin said, "1 can give you a definite answer next
Friday."

··········rE·X·CLA ... ATIONS - "YESII AND "NOII SHORT ANSWER - QUESTION TAGS
··········1···········································

A. Exclamations are introduced in reported speech by exclaim, say or give an exclamation, with an exclamation of
surprise/horror/disgust/delight, thank, wish, call, etc. They usually become statements when reported and the
exclamation mark becomes a full stop.
Direct Speech Reported Speech
She said, "Happy Birthday!" She wished me (a) happy birthday.
"Yuk!" she said when she saw the mouldy cake. She gave an exclamation of disgust when she saw the
mouldy cake.
He said, "You idiot!" He called me an idiot.

B. ''Yes'' and UNo" short answers are expressed in reported speech by subject + appropriate auxiliary/introductory verb.
Direct Speech Reported Speech
"Will you come with me? he said. He asked me if I would go with him and I said I woulc/.
IIYes ll, I said.
"Can I have a pay rise ?" he said. He asked (the boss) if he could have a pay rise and/but
IINolI, the boss replied. the boss refused/said he couldn't.

C. Question Tags
Question tags are omitted in reported speech. However, we can use the verb reminded as a suitable introductory
verb in order to retain their effect.
Direct Speech Reported Speech
"This isn't the first time she has made this mistake, He reminded me that it wasn't the first time (that) she had
is it?" he said. ~ made that mistake.
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 50 Grammar: Reported Sp

4. Turn the following sentences into reported speech.

"Will you lend me your car?" he said. "No," his 6 "That's revolting!" he said when he tasted the soup.
father said.

7 "The curry we ate at the restaurant made us ill, didn't

2 "What a wonderful present!" Frances said. it?" Joe said. "It certainly did;" Elizabeth replied.

3 "Well done! That was a wonderful performance,"

she said to them. 8 "You liar!" she said to him.

4 She said, "Be careful with that knife! It's very sharp!" 9 "Will you remind me to phone Jim later?" he said.
"Yes," I said.

5 "Good luck with the test," he said .

. ·. ·. . rIHTRODUCTORY VERBS
. . . . . i. · . ·····································

"Yes, I'll take the job. " He agreed to take the job.
"I must be informed of your decision He demanded to be informed of my
now. " decision immediately.
offer + infinitive "Shall I help you?" He oHered to help me.
promise "I will write to you next week." He promised to write to me the next/
refuse following week.
flreaten "No, / won't tell you the answer. " He refused to tell me the answer.
"Slow down or I'll get out of the car. " He threatened to get out of the car if
I didn't slow down.
advise "You should see a doctor. " He advised me to see a doctor.
allow "You can leave early. " He allowed me to leave early.
ask "P/ease, don't shout at me." He asked me not to shout at him.
beg "Please, please, don't punish me. " He begged me not to punish him.
command "Turn around slowly!" He cx:xnmandecJ her 10 fum around slowly.
IIICOUrage "Go on, buy yourself a new car!" He encouraged me to buy a new car.
bbid "You mustn't talk during the test." He forbade us to talk during the test.
ilstruct "Turn left at the traffic lights. " He instructed me to turn left at the traffic
+ sb + infinitive lights.
iMte "I'd like you to come to my wedding. " He invited me (to go) to his wedding.
order "Stop talking at once/" He ordered me to stop talking.
parmit "You may enter the palace." He permitted me to enter the palace.
lIRIind "Don't forget to post the letters. " He reminded me to post the letters.
IIg8 "Think about it very seriously. " He urged me to think about it very
seriously.
warn "Don't believe a word." He warned me not to believe a word.
want "I'd very much like you to come. " He very much wanted me to go.
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 ~ammar: Reported Speech

accuse sb of "You lied to me." He accused me of lying/having lied

to him.
admit (to) "Yes, I'm the culprit. II He admitted (to) being the culprit.
apologise for "I'm sorry I missed the meeting." He apologised for having missed the
+ gerund meeting.
deny "I didn It lose the tickets. " He denied losing/having lost the tickels.
insist on "You must let me help you." He insisted on me/my leffing him he~
me.
suggest "Let's go to the pork!" He suggested going to the pork.
complain to sb "Youlre always late to work!" He complained to me about my
about + gerund/noun lateness/being late to work.
agree "Yes, it is a foolish ideo." He agreed that it was a foolish idea.
claim "I've never seen her before. II He claimed that he hod never seen
her/never to have seen her before.
complain "You never listen to me." He complained that I never listened to him.
deny "No, I didn't see the occident. " He denied that he hod seen the occident.
exclaim + that-<:Iause "What a horrible colour!" He exclaimed that it was a horrible co/OIl.
explain "Cheating in exams is a very serious He explained that cheating in exams
maffer. " was a very serious maffer.
inform sb "The cheque for the cor is in the post. " He informed me that the cheque for
the car was in the post.
promise "/'II be very careful. " He promised that he would be very carefIJ.
suggest "You ought to try harder. II He suggested that I should iry harder.
explain to sb + why/how + clause IIThat's how I recognised the film star. II He explained to me how he had
recognised the film star.
wonder where/what/why/ He asked himself, IIWhy is she He wondered why she was unhappy.
how + clause (when the subject of the unhappy?1I
introductory verb is not the same as
the subject in the indirect question)

wonder where/what/why/ He asked himself, "Where shall I buy He wondered where to buy her
how + infinitive (when the subject of her present from?1I presen t from.
the infinitive is the same as the
subject of the verb)

5 Rewrite the follOWing sentences in reported speech, using an appropriate introductory verb.

"Would you like to come to a show with me 4 "I'll give you the money back tomorrow/' she said.
tonight?" he said.

5 She asked herself, "When shall I see him again?H

2 "Shall we buy some new furniture for the study?"
she said.
6 "Give us the money or we'll reveal your secret/' the
blackmailers said to her.
3 "He's always moaning about his mother-in-law,"
she said.

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 50 Grammar: Reported Sp

7 "Don't forget you have a doctor's appointment at 10 "It was John who wrote this graffiti on the wall,"
11 am," I said to him. said his brother.

8 "Please, please, give me one more chance," the 11 "Why don't we postpone the meeting for tomorrow?"
boy said to me. the boss said.

111111 •••••••••• , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9 "You will attend your aunt's wedding," my father 12 "We know you were lying in your testimony," the
said. policeman said.

· . . ···l··M"iXED TYPES OF REPORTED SPEECH

......... "1" ......................................... .

In everyday conversation, we use a mixture of statements, commands and questions. When changing them into reported
speech, we can connect them with the following linkers: and, as, adding that, and he added that, because, but, since,
and he/she went on to say, and he/she continued, explaining that, etc or the introductory verb in present participle
bro. language features such as oh, well etc, which are used in direct speech, are omitted in reported speech.
Direct Speech Reported Speech
'Oh, it's very cold, he said. "Shall I close the
/I He remarked that it was very cold and offered to close
window?" the window. (Oh is omitted.)
'He can't come," she said. "He has a meeting." She said that he couldn't go as/because/since he had a
meeting.
'Why don't you buy a Mini?" he said.
'They're very economical to run. " He suggested that I should buy a Mini, explaining that
they are/were very economical to run.

6 Turn the fol/owing into reported speech.

III know that John's an adventurous businessman," 3 She went on to say, "I usually only teach beginner's
Paul said. "I'd never have expected him to get classes but since we're understaffed at the moment, I
mixed up with such a notorious firm, though." have to take an advanced class too."

2 IIWhen I first came here," Susan said, " I had a .4 "I hope," he said, "that you'll consider taking over
hard time with the language, but now that I've been the shop when I retire as you've developed an
here for five years, I find I can communicate without excellent eye for antiques. And that's quite a
any difficulty." compliment, I assure you, coming from me."

97
 5a Grammar: Reported Speech

5 "Who are you going to leave the house to?" I asked 11 "Oh, it looks as if we'll have to cancel the meeting
my uncle. nPerhaps," I went on, "you should leave it if Julia is going to be away," he said. "Do you know
to Sarah as she seems to be the most attached to it." when she'll be back?"

6 "Don't imagine that just because I've criticised you, I 12 "What do you think about going to a new
don't think you're a good musician," he said to me. restaurant tonight?" he said to his wife. "I've just
"With enough practice, I have no doubt that you will read about one that's meant to be very good./I
be able to work as a professional."

7 "Is he going to accept the job offer," she asked, "or 13 "By the way, if anyone rings while I'm out," shetola
will he just continue to stagnate here until it's time her secretary, "please take a message and tell them
for him to retire?" that I won't be here until tomorrow afternoon./I

8 "I've heard her say that she may give up her job
and open a restaurant," he said. "She's certainly a 14 "I might be able to come," he said to Sarah,
good enough cook to do it." "although I won't be able to let you know until
tomorrow."
....................................................................................................................................... ~.

9 "I needn't have bothered to buy a spare tyre," she

said, "as I didn't have to change the old one after 15 "Shall I pass on the news to the staff," I asked him,
all." "or would you prefer I didn't until you've had a
chance to confirm it with the boss?"

10 "I couldn't believe my ears when I heard they'd split

up," she said to me. "Could you phone Jane to see 16 "Alright, I made a terrible mistake but I really didn't
if it's really true?" do it on purpose," she said.

98
 50 Grammar: Reported Sp

7 Rewrite the following dialogue in reported ( CONUERSATIONAL GRAMMAR)

speech.
Mr lones: Mr Smith, would you come into my office,
9 Choose the correct item.
please? "What lie did Liz tell you this time?"
Mr Smith: Certainly, sir. "She claimed ......... before she was two."
Mr lones: Look, we have a problem with the office A that she could write C about writing
Christmas party. Mrs White was orqanisina B to writinq D that she write
it, Lui jill,; LUJ Leell lukell ill. 2 "What was Bob yelling about?1I
Mr Smith: Would you like me to arrange it instead? "He warned ......... touch that wire."
Mr lones: That would be wonderful! And you'll definitely A me to not C that I don't
get a gift basket for yourself and your wife for B that I not D me not to
your extra work.
3 "So, how is Anne getting to the airport?"
"She said that her brother ......... her a lift."
A would have given C should give
B would give D could be given
4 "Did they find out who had taken the money?"
"Yes. Robert finally admitted ......... it aiL"
A to spend C to have spent
B have spending D to having spent
5 "Why do you look so upset?"
"Mum refused ......... after my flat while I'm away."
A my looki ng C to looki ng
B to look D me to look
8 Rewrite the following passage in direct speech.
6 "What did the dietician say to Angela?"
The postman asked Mr Wood to sign for the parcel, "He advised ......... down on fats otherwise she
explaining that it had been sent by Recorded Delivery. would develop heart problems in later life."
Mr Wood exclaimed that it was the gardening book he A to cut C her to cut
had been waiting for, and wondered whether the B that she cuts D her cut
postman was interested in gardening. The postman said 7 "What did Ivan suggest?"
that he was very keen on it and that he had a very large "He suggested ......... on an excursion tomorrow."
garden that was difficult to look after. He asked if Mr A going C we to go
Wood could give him any advice on the subject, and Mr B us to go D to going
Wood offered to lend him the book. The postman
8 The firefighter ordered ......... the building at once.
accepted his offer gladly and thanked him.
A to everyone evacuating C to be evacuated
B everyone to evacuate D evacuating
9 "What's the matter with Terry and Paula?"
"They said that if the business continued to do so
badly they ......... sell the house."
A would have to C had to
B must D should
10 "How did Gina react when she arrived at her
surprise birthday party?"
"She exclaimed ......... a wonderful surprise."
A to be C being
B that it was D to being
gg
 a;,Grammar: Reported Speech

10 Rewrite the following dialogue in reported 12 Complete the second sentence so that it has a
speech. similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You
Sally: I'm sorry to bother you, Jackie, but I've run out must use between three and eight words,
of sugar. Do you think I could borrow some? including the word given.
Jackie: Yes, of course. Brown or white?
Sally: I'd rather have white. Do take some money for "I don't approve of people who tell lies," he said.
it, please. disapproval
Jackie: Don't be silly! I won't accept any money. He .................................................................
Sally: Well, alright, if you insist. What about me ........................................................... tell lies.
buying you some more tomorrow? 2 She refused to go to bed until she had seen her
favourite soap opera.
insisted
She .............................................................. ..
. ..... ...... .. .............. ......... .... '" ., she went to bed.
3 "Should I ask for help or do it myself?" Jeff
wondered.
himself
Jeff ...................................................... '"''''''''
................................................... do it himself.
4 "No, I didn't laugh at him," Danny said.
laughed
Danny .......................................................... ..
........................................................... at him.
5 "That's the way the radiator should be installed,'
11 Rewrite the following passage in direct speech. the shopkeeper said to us.
how
The doctor told/asked Mr Green to sit down and tell him The ................................................................
what was wrong. Mr Green replied that he had a pain ........................................... install the radiator.
in his knee, which hurt when he walked and he 6 "Let's go to the planetarium next Saturday," he said.
complained it was keeping him awake at night. The going
doctor asked him to roll up his trousers and explained He .................................................................
that he needed to examine his knee. Mr Green enquired ........................................................ Saturday.
whether it was anything serious, and the doctor assured 7 "The food is awful here," George said.
him that he had just strained a muscle and advised Mr about
Green to rest his leg adding it would be better in a few George ..........................................................
days. The doctor warned him not to walk on it otherwise ............................................................. there.
he could do some permanent damage to it. 8 "Honestly, I will wash up for you this evening," Max
told his mother.
do
Max ...............................................................
......................................................... evening.
9 "I'd really like it if you could come sailing with us,'
Terry said to me.
me
Terry ..............................................................
....................................................... with them.
10 "Shall I help you with your research?" Jenny said.
to
Jenny ........................................................... ..
........................................................ research.

100
 5b English

13 Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space.
A SPORTING GOAL FOR WOMEN
Football is traditionally, a man's sport, (0) but now the women are muscling in on their act, or so it
(1) ............................................... . So many top male footballers have been transferred (2) ....................
astronomical sums of money that the game has become more a high-powered business than a sport. This is
(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the women come in, more motivated, more interested in the game (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
than in promotinq themselves and aenerallv better behaved both {5} ................................ and off the oitch.
(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a strong contrast to (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . male counterparts' greed and cynicism. Indeed,
according to FIFA, the world football governing body, the future of football belongs to women, and the
organisation has (8) ..................... out to actively promote women's football. Perhaps, in (9) ..................... of
the fact that women are half the world's population, this is how it should be. In the USA, many members of
national women's football teams are (10) ........................................ known than male footballers, and some
professional female players in (11) .............................. North America and Europe have attracted lucrative
sponsorship deals. Generally, two problems beset women's football: the need to be (12) .................... more
seriously and for more funding to be made available. (13) .................................. these have been achieved
(14) ...................................... with the blessing of FIFA, we should see footballers who are accessible, co-
operative, decent and sporting in (15) ............................ of the spoiled mercenary star boys of sport.

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