Reported (Indirect) Speech

In reported (indirect) speech, we report an idea expressed by someone, without quoting the exact words used.

Tom : "I like football."

Direct speech
Mary: "What did Tom say?"
Indirect (reported) speech Bill : "Tom said (that) he liked football."

We use verbs such as : say, tell, announce, promise, explain.

The verb tenses become more past
We can omit 'that' : Tom said (that) he liked football

Direct Speech

You talk to Mr. Smith and he tells you the following things :
I clean my car every Friday.
I'm doing a computer course this year.
I visited a museum yesterday.
I will be 30 tomorrow.
Indirect or Reported Speech

You report your conversation with Mr. Smith to your husband/wife/friend :

Mr. Smith said (that) he cleaned his car every Friday.
He said (that) he was doing a computer course this year.
He said (that) he had visited a museum yesterday.
He said (that) he would be 30 tomorrow.

Questions :
In indirect or reported questions, the subject changes place.
Direct :
When is your husband starting his new job?
Indirect :
He asked me when my husband was starting his new job.

Orders, requests, advice and suggestions :

Orders, requests, advice and suggestions are often reported by using the infinitive.
Direct :
Be careful!
Don't drive too fast.
Indirect :
I told him to be careful.
I told him not to drive too fast.