So we can state the rule simply like this:—

# If the reporting verb is in the Present or Future Tense, the tense of the verb in the reported speech is not changed.

# Now look at these statements in which the reporting verb is in the Past Tense.

Direct. I am tired now, so I will go to bed.

Indirect. He said he was tired then, so he would go to bed.

Direct. I shall be tired by that time, and shall go to bed.

Indirect. He said he would be tired by that time and would go to bed.

From this you will see that when the reporting verb is in the Past Tense, the verb in the reporting speech is changed, i.e. am becomes was, and will and shall become would.

# And there are a number of changes necessary when the reporting verb is in the Past Tense. These are as follow.

(a) When the actual speech is in the Present Indefinite, it becomes the Past Indefinite.

Direct. The doctor comes every day.

Indirect. He said that the doctor came every day.

(b) When the actual speech is in the Present Continuous, it becomes the Past Continuous.

Direct. The doctor is coming every day.

Indirect. He said the doctor was coming every day.

(c) When the actual speech is in the present Subjunctive, it becomes the Past Subjunctive.

Direct. The doctor may come.

Indirect. He said that the doctor might come.

(d) When the actual speech is in the Present Perfect, it becomes the Past Perfect.

Direct. The doctor has come.

Indirect. He said that the doctor had come.

(e) When the actual speech is in the Past

Indefinite, it becomes the Past Perfect.

Direct. The doctor came at noon.

Indirect. He said that the doctor had come (or had been) at noon.

(f) When the actual speech is in the Past Continuous, it becomes the Past Perfect Continuous.

Direct. The doctor was coming yesterday but was prevented.

Indirect. He said that the doctor had been coming the previous day but had been prevented.