TENSE DIRECT SPEECH TENSE REPORTED SPEECH

PRESENT “I work hard.” PAST SIMPLE He said that he worked hard.

SIMPLE

PRESENT “I am working hard.” PAST He said that he was working hard.

CONTINUOUS CONTINUOUS

PAST SIMPLE “I worked hard PAST PERFECT He said that he had worked hard
yesterday.” the previous day / the day before.

PAST “I was working hard at six PAST PERFECT He said that he had been working
CONTINUOUS this morning.” CONTINUOUS hard at six that morning.

PRESENT “I have worked hard.” PAST PERFECT He said that he had worked hard.
PERFECT

PRESENT “I have been working PAST PERFECT He said that he had been working
PERFECT hard.” CONTINUOUS hard.
CONTINUOUS
PAST PERFECT “I had worked hard.” PAST PERFECT He said that he had worked hard.

FUTURE “I will work hard.” CONDITIONAL He said that he would work hard.
SIMPLE

MODALS “I can work hard.” He said that he could work hard.

“I could work hard.” He said that he had been able to
“I may work hard.” work hard.
“I must work hard.” He said that he might work hard.
“I shall work hard.” He said that he had to work hard.
“I should work hard.” He said that he should work hard.
He said that he should work hard.