Direct to indirect speech
Steve's parents: "We are worried about Steve."
Steve's parents said that they were worried about Steve.
Grandma: "How are you?"
My grandma asked me how I was.
Grandma: "Please send me photos from your trip."
My Grandma asked me to send her some photos from my trip.
In reported speech, the simple present becomes
simple past
In reported speech, "today" becomes
yesterday
Paul: "Mary is in school."
Paul said that Mary was in school.
Mum: "How are you getting to the airport?"
My mum asked me how I was getting to the airport.
Dad: "Do your homework."
My dad told me to do my homework.
In reported speech, the simple past becomes
past perfect
In reported speech, "now" becomes
then
Mum: "I think you're spending too much time on your phone."
My mum said that she thought I was spending too much time on my phone
Flight attendant: "Have you weighed your suitcase?"
The flight attendant asked me if I had weighed my suitcase.
My teacher told me not to talk to my neighbour.
In reported speech, the present perfect progressive becomes
past perfect progressive
In reported speech, "yesterday" becomes
the day before
Dad: "I have tried to talk to you yesterday."
My mum asked me if I had found a nice present for my aunt.
Mum: "Be careful with your passport. Don't lose it."
My mum told me to be careful with my passport and not to lose it.
In reported speech, the past perfect becomes
past perfect
In reported speech, "tomorrow" becomes
the next day
Grandma: "I talked to your granddad. He said he will call you today."
My grandma said that she had talked to my granddad and that the would call me that day.
Sister: "Will you be back tomorrow?"
My sister asked me if I would be back the next day.
Dad to my brother: "Don't spend all your money on things you don't need."
My dad told my brother not to spend money on things he didn't need.
In reported speech, "may" becomes
might
In reported speech, "three days ago" becomes
three days before