REPORTED SPEECH: verb tense changes
DIRECT SPEECH → REPORTED SPEECH
- Present simple - She said: ‘I like posting photos online.’ → Past simple - She said (that) she liked posting photos online.
- Present continuous - He said: I'm writing an email.' → Past continuous - He said (that) he was writing an email.
- Past simple - Marta said: ‘I met John yesterday.’ → Past perfect - Marta said (that) she had met John the day before / the previous day.
- Present perfect - Pete said: 'I've already had breakfast.' → Past perfect - Pete said (that) he had already had breakfast.
- Will - Sean said: ‘I’ll meet him tomorrow.’ → Would -Sean said (that) he would meet him the following day / the next day.
- Am / ls / Are going to - They said: We're going to spend the weekend in the mountains.' → Was / Were going to - They said (that) they were going to spend the weekend in the mountains.
- Can - She said: 'I can sing well.' → Could - She said (that) she could sing well.
- May - Abby said: ‘I may leave for London tomorrow.' → Might - Abby said (that) she might leave for London the following day / the next day
- Must - He said: ‘You must pass the exam.' → Had to - He said (that) I / we had to pass the exam.
- Imperative - Brian said: 'Phone me!' → Infinitive - Brian said to phone him.