Modern Spanish Grammar: A Practical Guide

33.3 Reporting statements

33.3.1 Not affecting verb forms

33.3.1.1 With reporting verb in the present or perfect
When we report an ongoing conversation – for example with someone on the
telephone – or when the time lapse between the original statement and the
reporting is not significant, no change of tense is required, although other
changes may be necessary. The reporting verb will normally be in the present
or the perfect.

 17.1 (p. 72); 17.2 (p. 73)

No iré a cenar esta noche. Tengo una reunión.

I will not come for dinner tonight. I have a meeting.

Andrés dice que no vendrá a cenar esta noche, pues tiene una

reunión.

Andrés says he will not come for dinner tonight because he has a

meeting.

Me quedaré en la oficina hasta las 6.00.

I will stay in the office until 6.00.

El jefe ha dicho que se quedará en la oficina hasta las 6.00.

The boss has said he will stay in the office until 6.00.

No pude hacerlo.

I couldn’t do it.

Dice que no pudo hacerlo.

He/she says he/she couldn’t do it.

Ya lo he leído.

I have already read it.

Ricardo ha dicho que ya lo ha leído.

Ricardo said he’s already read it.

33.3.1.2 With reporting verb in the past
When the time lapse between the original statement and the reporting is more
significant, the indirect statement is normally introduced by a verb in the past, usually
the preterite. And if the idea expressed in the indirect statement is still valid, no change
of verb form is necessary.

Me resulta difícil el español.

Spanish is difficult for me.

Ayer hablé con Karen sobre su examen. Me dijo que el español le

resulta difícil.

I spoke to Karen about her exam yesterday. She told me Spanish is

difficult for her.

Estaremos allí al mediodía.

We’ll be there at midday.

Dijeron que estarán aquí al mediodía.

They said they’ll be here at midday.

REPORTING 33.3