INFORMAL Sometimes, especially in speaking, the vertb in the noun clause is not changed if the speaker is reporting something immediately or soon after it was said.
Immediate reporting:
A: What did John just say? I didn't hear him.
B:He said (that ) he is hungry
Later Reporting
A: What did John say when he got home last night?
B: He said (that) he was hungry.
*If the main verb of the sentence is in the present (e.g., says), no change is made in the verb tense or modal in the noun clause.
She says, "I work hard."
→ She says (that) she works hard.
She says, I'm working hard.'"-
She says (that) she's working hard.
She says, I worked hard."-
She says (that) she worked hard.
She says, "I will work hard."-
She says (that) she will work hard.
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