Direct and Indirect Speech

When using indirect or reported speech, the form changes. Usually indirect speech is
introduced by the verb said, as in I said, Bill said, or they said. Using the verb say in this
tense, indicates that something was said in the past. In these cases, the main verb in the
reported sentence is put in the past. If the main verb is already in a past tense, then the
tense changes to another past tense; it can almost be seen as moving even further into the
past.

Verb tense changes also characterize other situations using indirect speech. Note the
changes shown in the chart and see the table below for examples. With indirect speech, the
use of that is optional.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

simple present simple past
He said, “I go to school every day.” He said (that) he went to school every day.
past perfect
simple past
He said (that) he had gone to school every
He said, “I went to school every day.”
day.
present perfect past perfect
He said, “I have gone to school every He said (that) he had gone to school every
day.” day.
present progressive past progressive
He said, “I am going to school every He said (that) he was going to school every
day.” day.
past progressive perfect progressive
He said, “I was going to school every He said (that) he had been going to school
day.” every day,
would + verb name
future (will)
He said (that) he would go to school every
He said, “I will go to school every day.”
day.
future (going to) present progressive
He said, “I am going to school every He said (that) he is going to school every
day.” day.
past progressive
He said (that) he was going to school every
day
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
auxiliary + verb name simple past
He said, “Do you go to school every He asked me if I went to school every day.*
day?” He asked me where I went to school.
He said, “Where do you go to school?”
imperative infinitive
He said, “Go to school every day.” He said to go to school every day.

*Note than when a Yes/No question is being asked in direct speech, then a construction
with if or whether is used. If a WH question is being asked, then use the WH to
introduce the clause. Also note that with indirect speech, these are examples of
embedded questions.

The situation changes if instead of the common said another part of the very to say is
used. In that case the verb tenses usually remain the same. Some examples of this
situation are given below.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
simple present + simple present simple present + simple present
He says, “I go to school every day.” He says (that) he goes to school every day.

present perfect + simple present present perfect + simple present

He has said, “I go to school every day.”
past progressive + simple past
He was saying, “I went to school every
day.”
future + simple present
He will say, “I go to school every day.”
He has said (that) he goes to school every
day.
past progressive + simple past
He was saying (that) he went to school every
day.
past progressive + past perfect
He was saying (that) he had gone to school
every day.
future + simple present
He will say (that) he goes to school every
day.

Another situation is the one in which modal constructions are used. If the verb said is used,
then the form of the modal, or another modal that has a past meaning is used.

Direct Speech Þ Indirect Speech

can could
He said, “I can go to school every Þ He said (that) he could go to school every
day.” day.
may might
He said, “I may go to school every Þ He said (that) he might go to school every
day.” day.
might
He said, “I might go to school every    
day.”
must had to
He said, “I must go to school every Þ He said (that) he had to go to school every
day.” day.
have to
He said, “I have to go to school every    
day.”
should Þ should
He said, “I should go to school every He said (that) he should go to school every
 day.” day.
ought to ought to
He said, “I ought to go to school every Þ He said (that) he ought to go to school every
day.” day.

Some other verbs that can be used to introduce direct speech are: ask, report, tell, announce,
suggest, and inquire. They are not used interchangeably.

Time change
If the reported sentence contains an expression of time, you must change it to fit in with the
time of reporting.

For example we need to change words like here and yesterday if they have different
meanings at the time and place of reporting.

Expressions of time if reported on a different day

this (evening) › that (evening)

today › yesterday ...

these (days) › those (days)

now › then
(a week) ago › (a week) before
last weekend › the weekend before last / the previous weekend
here › there
next (week) › the following (week)

tomorrow › the next/following day

In addition if you report something that someone said in a different place to where you
heard it you must change the place (here) to the place (there).

For example :
 At work At home
"How long have you worked She asked me how long I'd worked
here?" there.

Reporting Verbs

Said, told and asked are the most common verbs used in indirect speech.

 We use asked to report questions.

For example : I asked Lynne what time the lesson started.

 We use told with an object.

For example : Lynne told me she felt tired.

Note - Here me is the object.

 We usually use said without an object.

For example : Lynne said she was going to teach online.

If said is used with an object we must include to.

For example : Lynne said to me that she'd never been to China.

Note - We usually use told.

For example : Lynne told me that she'd never been to China.

There are many other verbs we can use apart from said, told and asked.

These include
 accused, admitted, advised, alleged, agreed, apologised, begged, boasted,
complained, denied, explained, implied, invited, offered, ordered, promised,
replied, suggested and thought.

Using them properly can make what you say much more interesting and informative.

For example:

He asked me to come to the party

He invited me to the party.

He begged me to come to the party.

He ordered me to come to the party.

He advised me to come to the party.

He suggested I should come to the party.

Use of 'That' in reported speech

In reported speech, the word that is often used.

For example : He told me that he lived in Greenwich.

However, that is optional.

For example : He told me he lived in Greenwich.

Note - That is never used in questions, instead we often use if.

For example : He asked me if I would come to the party.