Grammar He said that he was writing a letter. (He said,"I am writing a letter.") Indirect speech is usually used in reporting conversation, though direct speech is sometimes used here to give a more life-like effect. When we turn direct speech into indirect,some changes are usually necessary.These are most easily studied by considering statements,questions and commands separately 1.Statements in indirect speech I)When the reporting verb(☑引述动词)is in the present,. present perfect,or future tense,there is no change of tense in the word reported. He said that he was writing a letter. (He said,“I am writing a letter.”) Indirect speech is usually used in reporting conversation, though direct speech is sometimes used here to give a more life-like effect. When we turn direct speech into indirect, some changes are usually necessary. These are most easily studied by considering statements, questions and commands separately. 1. Statements in indirect speech 1) When the reporting verb（引述动词） is in the present, present perfect, or future tense, there is no change of tense in the word reported. Grammar