Reported Speech

To report what someone said, thought or asked. We use reporting verbs say, tell (someone), explain, complain, think, wonder, ask, want to know, etc.

"I like ice cream" She said she liked ice cream

"I am reading this book" He told me he was reading that book

"These are not correct" He explained that those were not correct

"Are you happy? She asked me if I were happy

If your reporting verb is in Present the main verb tense doesn't change: I really like working here --> He says he really likes working here

When the reporting verb is in past tense, the main verb has to change: I really like working here --> He said he really liked working here

Present Simple --> Past Simple

Present continuous --> Past Continuous

Simple Past --> Past Perfect

Past Continuous --> Past Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect --> Past Perfect

Pres Perf Continuous --> Past Perf Continuous

Past Perfect & Past Perf Continuous --> No Change

am / is / are going to --> was / were going to

will --> would

can --> could

may --> might

must --> had to

need --> needed