Grammar – The Reported Speech

The Simple Past ---------------------------------------------The Past Perfect

I was at home all day, said Peter. --------------------) Peter said (that) he had been home all day.
We ate pizza for dinner, said John. ------------------) John said (that) they had eaten pizza…

Will ------------------------------------------------------ Would

I will be there at 5:00, said Jenny. -------------------) Jenny said she would be there at 5:00.
My brother will find you, said Karen. ---------------) Karen said her brother would find me.

Can---------------------------------------------------------Could

I can sing and dance well, said Jeff. -----------------) Jeff said he could sing and dance well.
Dan can’t cook at all, said Cindy. --------------------) Cindy said Dan couldn’t cook at all.

Must ------------------------------------------------------- Had to

You must leave now, said the officer. -------------) The officer said I/we had to leave now.

Have to ---------------------------------------------------- Had to

We have to study for the finals, said Nick. ------) Nick said they had to study for the finals.

No changes or back shifting

Modals would, should, had to, ought to and the past perfect (had {not} + past part) suffer no
changes in indirect speech.

Should ----------------------------------------------------- Should

We should go to a hospital, said the EMT. -----) The EMT said they should go to a hospital.