Direct and indirect speech

Direct speech
We use direct speech whenever we speak.

Indirect speech
We use indirect speech (sometimes called “reported speech”) when we are telling someone what another
person says or said.
In indirect speech we do not usually repeat the speaker’s exact words. A useful general rule is “present
becomes past and past becomes past perfect”. “Past” modals and the past perfect are unchanged when
reported.

Tense changes
present simple past simple
Tom: “I need to go to the bank.” Tom said (that) he needed to go to the bank.

present progressive past progressive

Pam: “I’m waiting for Harriet.” Pam said (that) she was waiting for Harriet.

present perfect past perfect

“I’ve moved to another flat.” Sylvia said (that) she had moved to another flat.

past simple past or past perfect

“I moved to another flat.” She said (that) she moved/had moved to another flat.

past progressive past progressive or past perfect progressive

“I was waiting for Harriet.” He said (that) he was waiting/had been waiting for Harriet.

past perfect progressive past perfect progressive

“I had been waiting for hours before you arrived.” He said (that) he had been waiting for hours.

“present” form of modals “past” form of modals

“I can see you tomorrow.” She said (that) she could see me the next day.
“I’ll help you.” She said (that) she would help me.

“past” form of modals “past” form of modals

“I could see you tomorrow.” He said (that) he could see me the next day.
“I would complain if I were you.” She said (that) she would complain if she were me.

Time and place changes

time: now immediately/then
two days ago two days before/earlier
today that day
tonight that night
tomorrow the next/the following day
yesterday the previous day/the day before
last night the night before
place: here there
this place that place
these places those places
verbs: come/bring go/take

Indirect Yes/No questions

“Are you ready?” He asked (me) if/whether I am/was ready.
“Have you finished?” He asked (me) if/whether I (have)/had finished.
“Do you play chess?” He asked (me) if/whether I play/played chess.
“Can I have it?” He asked (me) if/whether he can/could have it.

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Indirect question-word questions
“Where are you going?”
“Why haven’t you finished?”
“What do you think of it?”
“When must I be there?”
Indirect subject-questions
“Who is in charge here?”
“Which firm makes these parts?”
“What caused the accident?”
“ Whose novel will win the prize?”
Uses of the to-infinitive in indirect speech
“Keep a record of your expenses.”
“Don’t make a mess in the kitchen.”
“How do I prepare the sauce?”
“I want to speak to the manager.”
He asked (me) where I was going.
He wanted to know why I (haven’t)/hadn’t finished.
He wanted to know what I (think)/thought of it.
He asked (me) when he must be/had to be there.
He asked (me) who was in charge there.
He asked (me) which firm (makes)/made those parts.
He asked (me) what caused/had caused the accident.
He asked (me) whose novel would win the prize
I told him to keep a record of his expenses.
I told him not to make a mess in the kitchen.
He wanted to know how to prepare the sauce.
She asked to speak to the manager.