94 Indirect speech: questions, requests, invitations, offers, advice
Remember that Why don't you? can be an ordinary question or advice/suggestion.
Treat it here as advice.
Put the following into indirect speech.
'Could you get there and back in one day?' I asked. (I asked if he . . .)
I can't open this tin,' said Ann. 'Shall I do it for you?' said Tom.
'Could you translate this for me, please?' I asked the official.
'Shall we ever meet again?' he wondered.
'Will you be here tomorrow?' she asked. 'Yes,' I answered.
'Could I lose five kilos in a week?' said the fat woman. 'No,' said the doctor.
'Will you have a drink?' he said.
'Why don't you install gas central heating?' said the advertisement. (urge)
'Will you read this very carefully, please?' he said to me.
'Shall I tell him what happened?' she asked me.
'Wouldn't you like to look ten years younger?' said the hairdresser.
I'm going to Brighton tomorrow,' said Ann. 'So am I,' said Tom. 'Would you like a lift?' (Tom said he was too and...)
'Can I have a sweet?' said the small boy.
'Can we stay up till the end of the programme?' said the children.
'Could I have the weekend off?' he asked his boss.
'Could I leave early on Friday?' he said.
'Why don't you like pop music?' the teenagers asked him.
'Why don't you take up the oboe again?' said my friends, (advise)
'Where shall I hang my new picture?' he said. 'Would it look well over the mantelpiece?'
'What shall I do if the car won't start?' I said.
'Have you got enough money? Shall I lend you some?' said my friend.
'Will you be able to guide me or shall I bring a map?' I asked.
'You won't forget to shut the door, will you?' she said. (remind)
'Would you like to see over the house?' I asked her.
'Would you like to peel the potatoes?' said Ann, handing me a knife.
‘I've got two tickets. Would you like to come with me?' he said.
'Can you use a word processor?' he asked. 'No,' I said.
'Would you mind living by yourself for six months?' they asked.
'Would you mind paying cash?' said my landlady when I took out my cheque-book.
'Why don't you trust him?' I asked Ann. I never trust left-handed men,' she answered.