• Reported speech is used to repeat something that someone has said.

For example :

Tom : I am late.
Reported speech : Tom said that he was late.

• You must use the past tense for of the used verb. In this example, “am”  becomes  “was”.

More examples :

Jenny : I am not married.
Reported speech : Jenny said that she wasn’t married.

Emma : I am tired.
Reported speech : Emma said that she was tired.

Dave : Jennifer and I are separated.
Reported speech : Dave said that he and Jennifer were separated.