Question 1

How does "can" change in reported speech?

Accepted Answer

"Can" changes to "could" in reported speech when the reporting verb is in the past. For example: Direct: "I can swim." → Reported: "He said he could swim." This is called modal backshift.

Question 2

What happens to "will" in reported speech?

Accepted Answer

"Will" changes to "would" in reported speech. For example: Direct: "I will help you." → Reported: "She said she would help me." The future meaning is preserved but the form shifts back.

Question 3

Does "may" change to "might" in reported speech?

Accepted Answer

Yes, "may" typically changes to "might" in reported speech. For example: Direct: "I may come to the party." → Reported: "He said he might come to the party." Both possibility and permission uses follow this pattern.

Question 4

How do I report "must" in the past?

Accepted Answer

"Must" (obligation) usually changes to "had to" in reported speech. For example: Direct: "You must finish this today." → Reported: "She said I had to finish it that day." However, "must" for logical deduction can remain unchanged or become "had to" depending on context.

Question 5

Do "could", "would", "should", and "might" change in reported speech?

Accepted Answer

No, these modal verbs do not change in reported speech because they already represent past or conditional forms. For example: Direct: "I could help you." → Reported: "He said he could help me." The form stays the same.

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Present Simple

Past Simple

Present Continuous

Conditionals

Present Perfect

Passive Voice

Reported Speech Modal Verbs: Can→Could, Will→Would, May→Might