Tense Changes in Reported Speech

Direct Speech and Corresponding Indirect Speech

Understanding how tenses change when converting from direct to indirect (reported) speech is crucial in English grammar. Below are examples illustrating these changes:

Present Simple to Past Simple

• Direct Speech: She always wears a coat.
  • Reported Speech: He said that she always wore a coat.

Present Continuous to Past Continuous

• Direct Speech: I'm looking for my keys.
  • Reported Speech: She said that she was looking for her keys.

Present Perfect to Past Perfect

• Direct Speech: She has written three letters for her friend.
  • Reported Speech: He said that she had written three letters for her friend.

Past Simple to Past Perfect

• Direct Speech: My friend gave me a bar of chocolate.
  • Reported Speech: He said that his friend had given him a bar of chocolate.

Future Simple (Will) to Future in the Past (Would)

• Direct Speech: I will finish my report in two days.
  • Reported Speech: He said that he would finish his report in two days.

Can to Could

• Direct Speech: I can speak English.
  • Reported Speech: She said she could speak English.

May to Might

• Direct Speech: I may invite them to dinner.
  • Reported Speech: She said that they might invite them to the dinner.

Must to Had to

• Direct Speech: I must go to the bank and get some money.
  • Reported Speech: She said she had to go to the bank and get some money.

Have to to Had to

• Direct Speech: I have to submit this assignment by 3 p.m. tomorrow.
  • Reported Speech: She said that she had to submit this assignment by 3 p.m. tomorrow.

These transformations are essential for correctly reporting speech and ensuring clarity in communication.