Modals in the Reported Speech

Some modal verbs change when they are reported. Below is a list with more details:

"Can" changes to "Could":

• He can swim.
• In reported speech: Mike said he could swim.

"May" changes to "might":

• He may swim
• In reported speech: Mike said he might swim.

"Must" changes to "had":

• He must swim.
• In reported speech: Mike said he had to swim.

"Needn't" changes to "Did not need":

• He needn't swim.
• In reported speech: Mike said he didn't need to swim.

The contracted verb "needn't" is a different way of saying "don't need".

• You needn't worry! I will take care of this = You don't need to worry ...