When we report what someone said, we can use direct speech (quoting their exact words) or indirect speech (reporting the meaning without quotes). Converting between the two requires careful attention to tenses and pronouns.

Changing Tenses

When reporting in the past, verbs usually shift one step back in time:

• Present Simple to Past Simple: "I like apples," she said. → She said that she liked apples.
• Present Continuous to Past Continuous: "I am reading," he said. → He said that he was reading.
• Will to Would: "I will go," she said. → She said that she would go.

Changing Pronouns and Time Words

Pronouns change to match the perspective of the reporter ("I" becomes "he/she"). Time words also shift ("tomorrow" becomes "the next day", "now" becomes "then").