Grammar - Reported Speech

Reported Speech is used to tell or report what someone has said.
For example, look at this sentence: Harry said, "I love Susan." If we ask someone else to tell us what Harry said, the person would say (or report) what the first person said like this.

He said he loved Susan.
Or Harry said he loved Susan.

But notice how the verb tense changed. Love became loved. Here are some rules...
The present tense verb is change to the past tense in reported speech.

Sally said, "I like pizza."
What did she say?
She said (that*) she liked pizza.

The past tense is change to the past perfect in reported speech.

Joe said, "I went to New York City."
What did he say?
He said (that) he had gone to New York City.

The present continuous is changed to the past continuous.

Michael said, "I am taking an English class."
What did he say?
He said (that) he was taking an English class.

*You can use the work that in reported speech if you want. It doesn't matter if you do or not.
he present perfect verb is change to the past perfect tense in reported speech.

Michelle said, " I have been to California."
What did she say?
She said (that*) she had been to California.

The past perfect tense doesn't change.

John said, " I had talked to my neighbor."
What did he say?
John said (that) he had talked to his neighbor.

The future tense verb is change to the conditional in reported speech.

Staci said, "I will buy a new house."
What did she say?
She said (that) she would buy a new house.

*You can use the word that in reported speech if you want. It doesn't matter if you do or not.