What are the rules for changing prepositions in reported speech?

When it comes to changing prepositions in reported speech, there are a few rules to keep in mind. Here are the main guidelines:

1. No change: In some cases, the preposition remains the same in reported speech. This usually happens when the verb in the reported speech does not require a change in the preposition. For example:
- She said, "I am going to the park." (direct speech)
- She said that she was going to the park. (reported speech)

2. Change to "to": When the preposition in the direct speech is "at," "in," or "on," it is usually changed to "to" in reported speech. For example:
- He said, "I am at the office." (direct speech)
- He said that he was going to the office. (reported speech)

3. Change according to the verb: Sometimes, the preposition needs to be changed based on the verb used in the reported speech. Here are a few examples:
- She asked, "Can you look after my dog?" (direct speech)
- She asked if I could look after her dog. (reported speech)

- He said, "I am interested in art." (direct speech)
- He said that he was interested in art. (reported speech)

4. Change according to the context: In some cases, the preposition may need to be changed based on the context of the reported speech. This requires understanding the meaning and intention behind the original preposition and adjusting it accordingly. For example:
- She said, "I am waiting for the bus." (direct speech)
- She said that she was waiting at the bus stop. (reported speech)

It is important to note that these rules are not set in stone and there may be exceptions or variations depending on the specific context and verb used in the reported speech. Therefore, it is always advisable to carefully analyze the original sentence and consider the appropriate changes in prepositions when converting it into reported speech.