Syntax

Reported statements

In reported statements verbs generally move one tense back (into the past).

Direct speech	Reported speech
"I am hungry."	She told me (that) she was hungry.
"I can't go shopping."	She told me (that) she couldn't go shopping.
"We don't know."	They told me (that) they didn't know.
"The doctor will phone."	He told me (that) the doctor would phone.
"I saw her there."	He told me (that) he had seen her there.
"I've been to the shops."	She told me (that) she had been to the shops.