Reported statements: tense changes

When we convert direct speech into reported speech, we change the tense of the main verb by putting it one step further into the past.

DIRECT SPEECH...............REPORTED SPEECH
Present simple......................Past simple
Present continuous...............Past continuous
Present prefect simple..........Past perfect simple
Past simple............................Past perfect simple
Will.........................................Would
Can.........................................Could
Must.......................................Had to


REMEMBER!

We don't change the past perfect simple in reported speech.

• "He had to leave." : She said that he had to leave.