When we want to quote somebody’s words or thoughts, we can do it in two ways:

1. DIRECTED SPEECH:

Eg:

So he comes into the pub and says “I’ll have a pint”.

And then I thought “Well, does he really mean it?”

“Your information,” I replied, “is out of date.”

“I suppose so,” grunted Jack.

2. INDIRECTED SPEECH:

Eg:

So he comes into the pub and says (that) he’ll have a pint.

And then I wondered whether he really meant it.

Tenses in reported speech:

Reported Questions:

Eg:

Nurse asked how I felt.

I wondered why my mother was driving so fast.

I don’t know if/whether I can help you.

She explained what the problems was.

He asked if he would get the permit.

Reported Orders, Requests, advice, etc. (Often using an infinitive)

John told me to close the door.

The accountants advice us to raise the prices by 8 %.

She told me not to worry.

The police told me that I ought to fill in a form.

I suggested that he (should) meet us again a month later.

Must: After a past reporting verb, must does not usually change. Eg: He said that it must be pretty late, and he really must go.

Have to, not must --> Had to

Modal verbs with perfect infinitives: Past modal verbs (would, could, might, ought, should) do not normally change in reported speech. Do not change ordinary modal structures to mood + perfect infinitive structures after past reporting verbs.

Conditionals: After past reporting verbs, we can sometimes use a ‘conditional perfect’ structure (past perfect in the main clause, conditional perfect in the other). It depends on the meaning.

He said, ‘If you called on me tomorrow, I could see you for a half an hour.’

--> He said that if I called on him the next day he could see me…

He said, ‘If I had any money, I’d buy you a drink.’

--> He said if he had had any money, he’d have bought me a drink.’

How to, Where to: I told her where to go.

Reported Speech without reporting verbs: In newspaper reports, reports of parliamentary debates, records of conference, minutes of meetings, etc., the reported speech construction is often used with very few reporting verbs.