There is no change in verb tenses in Indirect Speech when:

• The introductory verb is in the Present, Present Perfect or Future.
• If the reported sentence deals with a fact or general truth.
• The reported sentence contains a time clause.
• The verb of the sentence is in the unreal past (the second or the third conditional).
• The subjunctive stays unchanged in the subordinate clause.
• Had better, could, would, used to, should, might, ought to and mustnt remain unchanged.
• If the speaker reports something immediately or soon after it was said.

No Change in Verb Tenses in Reported Speech | Image

Reporting Verbs in Indirect Speech

List of reporting verbs in reported speech.

• Tell, say, ask.
• Verb + that + clause: complain, deny, explain, exclaim, remark, promise, boast, inform somebody, claim, agree, suggest.
• Verb + to + infinitive: agree, offer, refuse, demand, threaten, promise, claim.
• Verb + indirect object + to + infinitive: advise, allow, beg, command, encourage, forbid, invite, want, instruct, permit, urge, order, remind, warn.
• Verb + ing form: admit (to), accuse somebody of, apologize for, boast about/ of, complain to somebody of, deny, insist on, suggest.
• Verb + how: explain to somebody.
• Wonder.

Introductory Verbs in Indirect Speech

Introductory Verbs in Indirect Speech

Changes of Pronouns in Reported Speech

In indirect speech, you need to be careful with personal pronouns. They need to be changed according to the situation. You need to know the context.

Changes of Pronouns in Indirect Speech | Image

Reported Questions in English

When you are changing a question from direct speech into indirect speech, you follow the same kinds of rules as for statements.

To report a question, we use verbs such as inquire, wonder, want to know, ask…

Reported Questions in English

Reported Commands and Requests in English

Reported Orders, Commands, and Requests are formed using the to-infinitive and not to-infinitive.

The reporting verbs for the orders/ commands/ requests are order, shout, demand, warn, beg, command, tell, insist, beseech, threaten, implore, ask, propose, forbid…

When we change from direct to indirect speech, the pronoun and tense changes are also needed.

Reported Commands and Requests in English