Change of Tenses in Indirect Speech

A change of time may mean a change of tense. So after past reporting verbs, the verbs of original speech are usually made more past.

A simple present tense in the direct speech becomes simple past in the reported speech.

  • Direct speech: James said, ‘I am ready.’
  • Indirect speech: James said that he was ready.

A present continuous tense in the direct speech becomes past continuous in the indirect speech.

  • Direct speech: James said, ‘I am going.’
  • Indirect speech: James said that he was going.

A present perfect tense in the direct speech becomes past perfect in the indirect speech.

  • Direct speech: James said, ‘I have finished.’
  • Indirect speech: James said that he had finished.

A simple past tense in the direct speech sometimes becomes past perfect in the indirect speech.

  • Direct speech: James said, ‘John phoned.’
  • Indirect speech: James said that John had phoned.

Will in the direct speech becomes would in the indirect speech; can becomes could; shall becomes should; may becomes might; must and ought remain the same.

  • Direct speech: John asked Mary, ‘Will you marry me?’
  • Indirect speech: John asked Mary if she would marry him.
  • Direct speech: James said, ‘I can’t swim.’
  • Indirect speech: James said that he couldn’t swim.

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