Differences Between Direct and Reported Speech

Simple Present Simple Past:

He said, “I know you.”He said (that) he knew me.

Notice that the pronoun also changes (you me).

He said, “I know you.”He said (that) he knew me.

Present Continuous Past Continuous

He said, “I am studying.”He said (that) he was studying.

Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

He said, “She was helping me.”He said (that) she had been helping

him.

Notice that the pronoun also changes (me him).

He said, “She was helping me.”He said (that) she had been helping

him.

Present Perfect Past Perfect

He said, “I have taken the test.”He said (that) he had taken the test.

Past Perfect Past Perfect (no change):

He said, “I had never done that.”He said (that) he had never done

that.

New problems with modals

Can, May, Must and WillChange in Reported Speech:

Can Could

He said, “I can help you tomorrow.”He said (that) he could help me the

next day.

Notice the pronoun change (you me):

He said, “I can help you tomorrow.”He said (that) he could help me the

next day.

Also notice the change in time expressions (tomorrow the next day):

He said, “I can help you tomorrow.”He said (that) he could help me the

next day.

“May” has two meanings, possibility and permission.

The change for reported speech is different for these two meanings!

May Might when the meaning is possibility:

He said, “She may leave early.”He said (that) she might leave early.

May Could when the meaning is permission:

He said, “You may go.”He said (that) I could go.

Notice the pronoun change (you I):

He said, “You may go.”He said (that) I could go.

Must had to

He said, “I must go.”He said (that) he had to go.

Will would

He said, “I will go.”He said (that) he would go.

Some modals do not change in reported speech:

Should, should have and must have:

Should should

He said, “You should leave.”He said (that) I should leave.

Notice the pronoun change (you I):

He said, “You should leave.”He said (that) I should leave.

Should have should have (reporting a mistake in the past):

He said, “You should have told me.”He said (that) I should have told him.

Notice the pronoun changes:you I

me him:

He said, “You should have told me.”He said (that) I should have told him.

Must must have (meaning that something probably happened in

the past):

He said, “You must have known.”He said (that) I must have known.

Notice the pronoun change (you I):

He said, “You must have known.”He said (that) I must have known.