REPORTED SPEECH

when we tell someone what another person said.

DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH

simply repeat what someone says to report what someone said without
speech marks and without necessarily
using exactly the same words

“We’re quite cold in here.” They say (that) they are cold.

He said, “I live in the city He said he lived in the city

center.” center.
When we report something we change the verb tenses:

PRESENT SIMPLE PAST SIMPLE

She always wears a coat. He said (that) she always wore a coat.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS PAST CONTINUOUS

I’m looking for my keys. She said (that) she was looking for her keys.

PRESENT PERFECT PAST PERFECT

She has written 3 letters for her He said (that) she had written 3 letters
friend. to her friend.

PAST SIMPLE PAST PERFECT

My friend gave me a bar of chocolate. He said (that) his friend had given
him a bar of chocolate.
 WILL WOULD

I will finish my report in two days. He said (that) he would finish his
report in two days.

CAN COULD

I can speak English. She said (that) she could speak English.

MAY MIGHT

I may invite them to dinner. She said (that) they might invite
them to dinner.
MUST
HAD TO
I must go to the bank and get She said (that) she had to go to
my money. the bank to get some money.
HAVE TO HAD TO

I have to submit this assignment. She said she had to submit this assignment.