Reported Speech

If the reporting verb is in the past, the statement reported is usually changed to a form of the past.

Direct Statement Reported statementI’m not feeling well She said (that) she wasn’t feeling

well.There is a farewell party. there was a farewell

party.I visit my sister every week. she visited her sister every week.I saw an accident. she had seen an accident.I have planned a trip. she had planned a trip.

I can’t come. He told (that) he couldn’t come.

I’ll be out of town. he woud be out of town.

I may go out with a friend. he might go out with a friend.