DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED (INDIRECT) SPEECH

Present Simple: Past Simple:

“I like classical music.” He said (that) he liked classical music.

Present Continuous: Past Continuous:

“We are singing.” They said (that) they were singing.

Present Perfect Simple: Past Perfect Simple:

“I have just arrived.” He announced (that) he had just arrived.

Present Perfect Continuous: Past Perfect Continuous:

“She has been waiting for hours.” The butler said (that) she had been waiting for hours.
Past Simple: Past Perfect Simple:

“I saw a good film yesterday.” He told me (that) he had seen a good film the day before.
Past Continuous: Past Perfect Continuous:

“I was sleeping at this time yesterday.” He confessed (that) he had been sleeping at the same time the
previous day.
Past Perfect Simple: Past Perfect Simple:

“We had never seen it before.” They admitted (that) they had never seen it before.
Past Perfect Continuous: Past Perfect Continuous:

“I had already been living in London for years.” He informed me (that) he had already been living in London for years.

Future Simple: Future-in-the-Past:

“Tomorrow I’ll do it.” He promised (that) he would do it the next day.

Going-to Future: Was/were going to:

“I’m going to study law after graduation.” He said (that) he was going to study law after graduation.
Can: Could:

“He can speak 5 languages fluently.” They explained (that) he could speak 5 languages fluently.
May: Might:

“You may leave the room.” She said (that) I might leave the room.
Must: Had to/Must:

“We must finish this by next week.” The boss said (that) we had to/must finish that by the next week.
Shall: Should:

“Shall I open the window?” He asked me if he should open the window.