Summary Comparison: Tense Changes in Reported Speech

In reported speech, we often need to change the tense of the original direct speech when reporting someone else's words. This is because reported speech reflects the speaker's perspective, and the tense may need to adjust to match the time of the reporting. Tense changes are generally required when reporting statements in the past or when the reporting verb is in the past tense. This ensures that the meaning remains clear and that the sequence of tenses is preserved.

1. Present Simple to Past Simple – Reporting Statements in the Present

When the direct speech is in the present simple, it is often changed to the past simple in reported speech. This change is typical when the reporting verb is in the past tense.

• Example:
  Direct speech: She says, "I work every day."
  Reported speech: She said that she worked every day.

Explanation: The present simple verb "work" becomes "worked" in the past simple in reported speech. This shift in tense reflects that the statement is being reported in the past, even though the action may still be true in the present.

2. Present Continuous to Past Continuous – Reporting Ongoing Actions

When the direct speech uses the present continuous, it typically changes to the past continuous in reported speech.

• Example:
  Direct speech: He is reading a book.
  Reported speech: He was reading a book.

Explanation: The present continuous "is reading" becomes "was reading" in reported speech. The past continuous form is used to reflect that the action was ongoing at the time the reporting happened.

3. Present Perfect to Past Perfect – Reporting Actions with Present Relevance

When the direct speech is in the present perfect tense, it generally changes to the past perfect in reported speech. This is especially true when the reporting verb is in the past tense.

• Example:
  Direct speech: I have finished my homework.
  Reported speech: She said that she had finished her homework.

Explanation: The present perfect "have finished" changes to the past perfect "had finished" in reported speech. This shift shows that the action was completed before the reporting moment.

4. Past Simple to Past Perfect – Reporting Past Actions

When reporting an action that happened in the past, the past simple in direct speech often changes to the past perfect in reported speech.

• Example:
  Direct speech: They arrived late.
  Reported speech: They said that they had arrived late.

Explanation: The past simple verb "arrived" becomes "had arrived" in reported speech. This change shows that the action was completed before the reporting occurred.

5. Will to Would – Reporting Future Actions

In reported speech, when the direct speech expresses the future using "will," it typically changes to would.

• Example:
  Direct speech: He will go to the store tomorrow.
  Reported speech: He said that he would go to the store tomorrow.

Explanation: "Will" changes to "would" in reported speech to indicate the future action. Even though the event is in the future, the tense shifts to show that the statement is being reported from a past perspective.

6. Shall to Should – Reporting Suggestions or Offers

When "shall" is used for making suggestions or offers in direct speech, it often changes to should in reported speech.

• Example:
  Direct speech: I shall help you with your project.
  Reported speech: She said that she should help me with my project.

Explanation: "Shall" is replaced by "should" in reported speech, especially when expressing a suggestion or offer in the past tense.

7. No Change in Tense – When Reporting General Truths or Universal Facts

In some cases, especially when reporting general truths or universal facts, there is no change in the tense of the original statement. This is because the information remains true regardless of when it is reported.

• Example:
  Direct speech: The Earth orbits the sun.
  Reported speech: He said that the Earth orbits the sun.

Explanation: The tense remains in the present because it is a fact that does not change over time. When reporting universal truths, the tense does not need to be altered.