When we report what someone said, the tense often moves one step back: "I'm tired." → She said (that) she was tired.
- present → past · past / present perfect → past perfect · will → would · can → could
- Pronouns and time words change too: today → that day, tomorrow → the next day.
- say something · tell someone something.
- Reported questions use normal word order: She asked where I lived.
| direct speech | reported speech |
|---|---|
| "I like it." | He said he liked it. |
| "I'm working." | She said she was working. |
| "I'll call you." | He said he would call me. |
| "I can swim." | She said she could swim. |
| "I saw it." | He said he had seen it. |
Examples
- She said that she was hungry.is → was
- He told me he would be late.will → would
- They said they had finished.past → past perfect
- She asked me where I lived.question: normal word order
✅ Exercises
9 exercises: choose the right answer or type the missing word. Score 70% to complete the topic.