General rule: If the verb in principal clause is in one of the past tenses, a past tense must be used in the subordinate clause.

Indirect statements The verb most commonly used to introduce the reported speech are: to feel, to say, to notice, to explain, to see, to remark, to inform, to remind. NOTE: to say something to somebody to tell somebody something EXPLAIN: Nick said, “My sister’s learning English” – direct speech Nick told his sister was learning English – reported speech

Indirect commands An order or request in indirect speech expressed by the infinitive. The words most commonly used to introduce orders are: to order, to command, to ask. EXPLAIN: The teacher said to me, “Remember to learn English” The teacher remained me to learn English

Indirect general questions 1) The inversion in the direct question changes to statement word order 2) If necessary the tense is changed at the same time 3) We use if/weather after ask, wants to know, wonder, not know, didn’t say NOTE: to ask somebody to ask a question

Direct/indirect speech He asked his friend, “Do you like the girl?” He asked his friend if he liked the girl

Indirect special questions An indirect special question is introduced by the same adverb or pronounce that introduses the direct question Direct/indirect speech: Misha asked, “Who has eaten my porrige?” Misha asked who had eaten his porrige?