subject + said + that + clause + changed time wordKeep the reported meaning, but change the time word to fit the new reporting moment.
Time and Place Changes in Reported Speech
A2In reported speech, time and place words often change: today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, here → there.
What you'll learn
- Change time words like today, yesterday, and tomorrow in reported speech.
- Change here to there when the report moves to another place.
- Match direct words to the correct reported versions.
- Build reported statements with the changed time or place word.
Structure
subject + said + that + clause + thereIf the report comes from a different place, here often changes to there.
Build a sentence
Speaker
Direct word
Annasaidthat she was busythat day
Anna said that she was busy that day.
today changes to that day when you report it later.
When to use
Later report
Anna speaks on Monday: "I’m busy today." On Tuesday you report it: Anna said that she was busy that day.
Different place
Tom says in his office: "I like it here." Later, from home, you report it: Tom said that he liked it there.
Markers
today → that dayyesterday → the day beforetomorrow → the next dayhere → there
Common mistakes
Wrong
Anna said that she was busy today.
Correct
Anna said that she was busy that day.
The report happens later, so today no longer matches the original moment.
Wrong
Tom said that he would call me tomorrow.
Correct
Tom said that he would call me the next day.
In the reported version, tomorrow shifts forward from the original day, so use the next day.
Wrong
Maria said that she liked it here.
Correct
Maria said that she liked it there.
The report comes from another place, so here changes to there.
Wrong
Dmitri said that he had arrived the next day.
Correct
Dmitri said that he had arrived the day before.
Yesterday becomes the day before, not the next day.
Wrong
Lisa said that she would finish it tomorrow.
Correct
Lisa said that she would finish it the next day.
Inside a reported statement, use the changed time word, not the original direct-speech word.
Common misconceptions
❝ I must change every time word in every reported sentence. ❞
Change the word when the reporting moment or place is different. If the time or place stays the same, the original word can stay too.
❝ In reported speech, only the verb changes. ❞
Verbs may change, but time and place words often change too: today, tomorrow, yesterday, and here are common examples.
Skills in this rule (4)
CHANGE_NOW_WORDSw5Change time words when the report moves away from the original moment
In reported speech, words like today, tomorrow, and yesterday often change because the speaker reports the message later, not at the original time.
CHANGE_HERE_TO_THEREw5Change place words when the report moves to a different place
In reported speech, here often becomes there when the speaker reports the message from another place.
PAIR_DIRECT_AND_REPORTED_WORDSw4Match direct words to their reported versions
Pick the correct partner: today → that day, yesterday → the day before, tomorrow → the next day, here → there.
USE_CHANGES_IN_REPORTED_STATEMENTSw5Use changed time and place words inside reported statements
Build a full reported sentence with the correct changed word after said that. Change the time or place word if the new speaker reports it later or elsewhere.