 REPORTED SPEECH, STATEMENTS, PART 1, FROM ESPRESSOWINGLISH.NET REPORTED SPEECH IS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT SOMEONE ELSE SAID IN THE PAST. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOUR FRIEND Dianna said, I've been to London three times. The reported speech is, Diana said she'd been to London three times. We often use reported speech when talking about a conversation that happened in the past, but there are some changes to the verb tenses in reported speech. Verbs in the simple present become verbs in the simple past. Direct, I want to go home. Reported, she said she wanted to go home. Present continuous verbs become past continuous. Direct, I'm reading a good book. Reported, he said he was reading a good book. Simple past verbs become past perfect. Direct, I ate pasta for dinner. Reported, she said she'd eaten pasta for dinner. Present perfect verbs become past perfect. Direct, I've already finished the report. Reported, she said she'd already finished the report. Here's another example of present perfect to past perfect. Direct, we've never been to Japan. Reported, they said they'd never been to Japan. Statements with can and can't become could and couldn't when they are reported speech. Direct, I can meet with you on Monday. Reported, she said she could meet with me on Monday. Direct, I can't talk now. I'm at work. Reported, she said she couldn't talk at the moment because she was at work. Statements with will and won't become would and wouldn't. Direct, I'll call you later. Reported, she said she'd call me later. Direct, I won't forget to go to the bank. Reported, he said he wouldn't forget to go to the bank. In part two of this lesson, we'll learn reported requests, orders, and questions. Thanks for watching English Tips from espressoenglish.net. If you liked this video, please share it.