Summary Comparison: Modal Changes in Reported Speech

In reported speech, modals (such as can, may, must, should, will, etc.) often need to be adjusted when reporting someone else’s words, especially when the reporting verb is in the past tense. Modal verbs indicate the degree of certainty, permission, possibility, or obligation, and these may change to reflect the reported context. The changes depend on the tense of the reporting verb and whether the modal verb is in the present or past tense.

1. Can to Could – Ability or Possibility in the Past

When reporting speech with the modal "can" (which expresses ability or possibility in the present), it usually changes to could in reported speech, especially if the reporting verb is in the past tense.

• Example:
  Direct speech: She can swim very well.
  Reported speech: She said that she could swim very well.

Explanation: The present "can" changes to the past "could" when reporting in the past. This indicates that the ability is being referred to from a past perspective, even if the ability is still valid.

2. May to Might – Possibility in the Past or Future

When the modal "may" is used in direct speech to indicate possibility, it often changes to might in reported speech, particularly when reporting in the past.

• Example:
  Direct speech: It may rain later.
  Reported speech: He said that it might rain later.

Explanation: "May" changes to "might" in reported speech, reflecting a possibility, either in the past or future. "Might" has a slightly weaker sense of possibility than "may."

3. Must to Had to – Obligation or Strong Necessity in the Past

In reported speech, "must" (which expresses strong necessity or obligation in the present) changes to "had to" when referring to a past situation.

• Example:
  Direct speech: I must finish this report by tomorrow.
  Reported speech: She said that she had to finish the report by tomorrow.

Explanation: "Must" changes to "had to" in reported speech to reflect that the obligation or necessity was experienced in the past.

4. Should – No Change in Meaning (Advice or Obligation)

When "should" is used in direct speech (to give advice, show obligation, or expectation), it typically does not change in reported speech. Both in present and past contexts, the meaning remains the same.

• Example:
  Direct speech: You should study harder.
  Reported speech: He said that I should study harder.

Explanation: "Should" remains unchanged in reported speech, as it expresses a suggestion or obligation that doesn’t require tense shifting in the same way other modals do.

5. Will to Would – Future in the Past

When reporting future actions or predictions using "will", it often changes to "would" in reported speech, especially if the reporting verb is in the past tense.

• Example:
  Direct speech: I will call you tomorrow.
  Reported speech: He said that he would call me tomorrow.

Explanation: "Will" changes to "would" in reported speech to reflect the future tense in the past. This ensures consistency with the past perspective of the reporting.

6. Would – No Change in Meaning (Polite Requests or Offers)

When "would" is used in direct speech to make a polite request or offer, it typically does not change in reported speech.

• Example:
  Direct speech: I would like a cup of tea.
  Reported speech: He said that he would like a cup of tea.

Explanation: "Would" does not change in reported speech, as it is used to express polite requests or offers. The meaning and usage remain the same, regardless of tense shifts.

7. Could – No Change in Meaning (Past Ability or Polite Requests)

When "could" is used to express past ability or polite requests, it typically does not change in reported speech.

• Example:
  Direct speech: I could swim when I was a child.
  Reported speech: She said that she could swim when she was a child.

Explanation: "Could" remains unchanged in reported speech because it refers to a past ability or polite request, and no tense adjustment is necessary.