Reported (Indirect) Speech

In reported (indirect) speech, we report an idea expressed by someone, without quoting the exact words used.
Direct speech	Tom : "I like football." Mary: "What did Tom say?"
Indirect (reported) speech	Bill :   "Tom said (that) he liked football."

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• We use verbs such as : say, tell, announce, promise, explain.

• The verb tenses become more past

• We can omit 'that' : Tom said (that) he liked football

Direct Speech

You talk to Mr. Smith and he tells you the following things : I clean my car every Friday. I'm doing a computer course this year. I visited a museum yesterday. I will be 30 tomorrow.

Indirect or Reported Speech

You report your conversation with Mr. Smith to your husband/wife/friend : Mr. Smith said (that) he cleaned his car every Friday. He said (that) he was doing a computer course this year. He said (that) he had visited a museum yesterday. He said (that) he would be 30 tomorrow.

Questions : In indirect or reported questions, the subject changes place. Direct : When is your husband starting his new job? Indirect : He asked me when my husband was starting his new job.

Orders, requests, advice and suggestions : Orders, requests, advice and suggestions are often reported by using the infinitive. Direct : Be careful! Don't drive too fast. Indirect : I told him to be careful. I told him not to drive too fast.