Bring and take -Reported speech Hi, I have been recently told that when we use the verb 'bring' in reported speech, it needs to change to take, and if not, it's considered wrong by my school English t

Angie

Bring and take -Reported speech Hi, I have been recently told that when we use the verb 'bring' in reported speech, it needs to change to take, and if not, it's considered wrong by my school English teacher. Anyway, I've seen many posts of this and apparently, most English native speakers are unaware of this change! So I want to know your opinion, do you change it? For example, this would be apparently wrong: She said to me: Bring me a coffee! R.E: She told me to bring her a coffe. And according to my teacher, this is the correct one: She told me to take her a coffe. I see both very correct for me, and of course I'll write it as he says, but I would use the first one on a natural conversation.

Feb 22, 2017 7:59 PM

Answers · 13

Your teacher is plain wrong. She told me to take her a coffee. Consider getting a new English teacher. No native speaker would ever say this. I will elaborate a little further. 'Bring' has the connotation of taking an item towards another person. 'Take' is simply the wrong verb to use. Forget all this nonsense about it changing because it is reported speech. Your instinct on this occasion is completely correct.

February 22, 2017

You asked for our opinion. There is no opinion. Here is a fact: Your teacher is wrong.

February 22, 2017

I disagree with your teacher. The issue of 'bring' and 'take' has nothing to do with direct or indirect or speech, and everything to do with the position of the speaker. The verb 'bring' indicates a movement from one place (say, the bar ) towards the person who is going to drink the coffee. This is the same direction, regardless of whether it's the person's own words or those of the person reporting.

February 22, 2017

Hi Susanne, I can't change teacher as long as school is obligatory, I will speak to him anyway. Thank you.

February 22, 2017

Well stated. This question also demonstrates why I implore people to use a qualified NATIVE SPEAKER teacher. Most likely the textbook was written by non-native teachers, too.

February 22, 2017

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