| Direct speech |
Reported speech |
Example |
| present simple |
past simple |
"I need a credit card," said Ned. – Ned said he needed a credit card. |
| present continuous |
past continuous |
"I'm going shopping," said Ned. – Ned said he was going shopping. |
| present perfect |
past perfect |
"I've sent an email to him," said Ned. – Ned said he had sent an email to him. |
| present perfect continuous |
past perfect continuous |
"I've been thinking about buying a new car," said Ned. – Ned said he had been thinking about buying a new car. |
| past simple |
past perfect |
"I spent six euros," said Ned. – Ned said he had spent six euros. |
| past continuous |
past perfect continuous |
"I was hoping to find a new job," said Ned. – Ned said he had been hoping to find a new job. |
| am / is / are going to |
was / were going to |
"I'm going to see him," said Ned. – Ned said he was going to see him. |
| will |
would |
"I'll need my laptop," said Ned. – Ned said he would need his laptop. |
| can |
could |
"I can make a report," said Ned. – Ned said he could make a report. |
| must / have to |
had to |
"I must go there," said Ned. – Ned said he had to go there. |
| may |
might |
"I may write it later," said Ned. – Ned said he might write it later. |