1). When there is a modal verb in the original statement, suggestion, etc., this sometimes changes when we report what was said. The changes discussed in this unit are summarized in the table below.
| Modal verb in original | Modal verb in report |
| could, would, should, might, ought to, used to | could, would, should, might, ought to, used to |
| will, can, may | would, could, might will, can, may (existing or future situations and present tense verb in reporting clause) will or would, can or could, may or might (existing or future situations and past tense verb in reporting clause) |
| shall | would, should (offers, suggestions, etc.) |
| must(necessary) must(conclude) mustn’t | must or had to had to mustn’t |
NOTE: We sometimes use a modal verb in a report when there is no modal verb in the original.
Example:
- ‘You’re not allowed to smoke here.’ (direct speech)
- She told me that I mustn’t smoke there. (reported speech)
2). The verbs could, would, should, might, ought to, and used to don’t change in the report.
Example:
- ‘I could meet you at the airport.’ (direct speech)
- he said that he could meet us at the airport. (reported speech)
- ‘We might drop in if we have time.’ (direct speech)
- They said they might drop in if they have time. (reported speech)
3). Will usually changes to would, can to could, and may to might. However, if the situations we are reporting still exists or is still in the future and the verb in the reporting clause is in a present tense, we prefer will, can, and may in the reported clause.
Compare:
- ‘Careful! You’ll fall through the ice!’ (direct speech)
- I wanted him he would fall through the ice. (reported speech)
- ‘I’ll be in Paris at Christmas.’ (direct speech)
- She tells me she’ll be in Paris at Christmas. (reported speech)
NOTE: If the situation we are reporting still exists or is still in the future and the verb in the reporting clause is in a past tense, then we can use either would or will, can or could, and may or might in the reported clause.
Example:
- ‘The problem can be solved.’ (direct speech)
- They said the problem can/could be solved. (reported speech)
4). When shall is used in the original to talk about the future, we use would in the report.
Example:
- ‘I shall (I’ll) call you on Monday.’ (direct speech)
- She told me she would call me on Monday. (reported speech)
NOTE: However, when shall is used in offers, requests for advice and confirmation, etc. then we can use should in the report, but not shall.
Example:
- ‘Where shall I put this box?’ (direct speech)
- He asked where he should put the box. (reported speech)
5). When must is used in the original to say that it is necessary to do something, we can usually use either must or had to in the report, although must is less common.
Example:
- ‘You must be home by 9 o’ clock.’ (direct speech)
- She said I must/had to be home by 9 o’ clock. (reported speech)
NOTE 1: However, when must is used in the original to conclude that something (has) happened or that something is true, then we use must, not had to, in the report.
Example:
- ‘I keep forgetting things. I must be getting old.’ (direct speech)
- Neil said he must be getting old. (reported speech)
NOTE 2: If mustn’t is used in the original, we can use mustn’t in the report but not didn’t have to.
Example:
- ‘You mustn’t tell my brother.’ (direct speech)
- He warned me that I mustn’t tell his brother. (reported speech)
