When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the verb in the Reporting speech is also changed to the

Past Tense

A) Simple present becomes simple past

Direct speech Indirect speech.

Manu said,”Priya paints well.” Manu said that Priya painted well

B) Present continuous becomes past continuous.

Direct speech. Indirect speech.
She said, “I am learning.” She said that she was learning

C) Present perfect becomes past perfect

Direct speech. Indirect speech.
Paul said,” peter has done his part of writing. “ Paul said that, “peter had done his part
of writing.

D) Simple past becomes past perfect.

Direct speech Indirect speech.
Sara said, “Janet came down for the party”. Sara said that, Janet had come down for
the party.

E) Past continuous becomes past perfect continuous

Direct speech. Indirect speech
The man said,” All were making paper boats.” The man said that all were making
paper boats.

F) ‘ May’ becomes ‘might’

‘Can becomes could’
‘Shall’ become ‘should’
Very often ‘Will’ becomes ‘would’.

These tense in reported speech remains the same without any change if a Universal truth or a habitual
speech

Direct speech Indirect speech

Eg:- My teacher taught, “The sun rises in the East .“ My teacher taught that the sun rises in
the east.

G) I, my, me, we, our, us.. these First Person Pronouns in direct speech are changed to the s
ame person as the Subject of the Reporting Verb in Indirect Speech.

Direct speech Indirect speech

Eg.Sophia said, "I am sick. " Eg.Rahim said that he was sick.
 H) Second person pronouns like you, your in

direct speech are changed in indirect speech to the same person as the Noun or
Pronoun which comes after the Reporting

Verb.

Direct speech Indirect speech

The doctor said to me, "You are alright." The doctor confirmed that I was alright.

i) Third person pronouns (he, she, it, they, them, her, him.. etc)in direct speech remains the
same indirect speech.

Direct speech. Indirect speech

Hareesh said to me,"He is a brilliant player." Hareesh exclaimed that he was a

brilliant player

Note. :

While changing into indirect speech the verb said in the direct speech is changed to told
and preposition to is omitted.

Words showing nearness of time or place are changed into words showing distance.

Nearness Distance

Now. Then

This. That

Here. There

Ago. Before

These Those

Today. That day

Tomorrow. The next day

Yesterday. The day before

Last night. The night before

 J) In reporting aquestion in the indirect Speech

1) The reporting verb ' said to ' is changed into ,' asked or inquired. '

2) In yes or no'type questions, when the sentence begins with a verb, whether or if is
used.

3) If the sentence begins with an Interrogative word like when, where, why, what and
how, the same interrogative word is used. The interrogative form is changed into Assertive form
and hence the

question mark is omitted.

Direct speech. Indirect speech

Eg. I said to him, "What is your name? " Eg. I asked him what his name was.

k) In reporting an Exclamation or Wish in to indirect speech..

1)The reporting word used will be changed into words like praise, bless, curse, wish, exclaim etc.

2)The Exclamatory form is changed into Assertive form.

3)The sign of exclamation is replced by a full stop.

Direct speech Indirect speech

Eg. Joseph said, "Beware ! The dog may bite you. " Eg. Joseph warned that the dog might bite him.