Direct to Indirect: Verb Changes

• Direct to Indirect: Verb Changes

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• When the main verb in a direct speech sentence is in present simple, the verb changes to past simple in indirect speech.

  
  

  He said, "I do my laundry once a week." > He said he did his laundry once a week. (The main verb 'do', changes from present simple to past simple.)

  
  

  Modal verbs also change in indirect speech. Can becomes could, will becomes would, and must/have to become had to.
•  Click on the play button to hear the audio

• Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
  The teacher said, "The students are in the library."	The teacher said the students were in the library.
  She said, "I can get the mechanic to check the car."	She said she could get the mechanic to check the car.
  Amy said, "I must speak with a bank teller."	Amy told him that she had to speak with a bank teller.

 Source : Alison