What are the rules for reporting conditional sentences in reported speech?

When reporting conditional sentences in reported speech, there are several rules to follow. These rules depend on whether the reported speech is reporting a real or unreal condition. Let's discuss the rules for each case:

1. Reporting Real Condition:
- If the reported speech is reporting a real condition, we use the same tense and modal verb as in the original sentence.
- The word "if" is usually changed to "whether" or omitted.
- The reporting verb is usually in the present tense.

Example:
Original sentence: She said, "If it rains, I will stay at home."
Reported speech: She said that if it rained, she would stay at home.

2. Reporting Unreal Condition:
- If the reported speech is reporting an unreal condition, we need to make changes to the tense and modal verb.
- The word "if" is usually changed to "whether" or omitted.
- The reporting verb is usually in the past tense.

Example:
Original sentence: He said, "If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam."
Reported speech: He said that if he had studied harder, he would have passed the exam.

3. Mixed Conditional Sentences:
- In mixed conditional sentences, where the condition is unreal in the past but the result is still possible in the present, we need to make appropriate changes.
- The past perfect tense is used in the condition clause, and the present conditional tense is used in the result clause.
- The reporting verb is usually in the past tense.

Example:
Original sentence: They said, "If we had known about the party, we would have attended."
Reported speech: They said that if they had known about the party, they would attend.

It is important to note that when reporting conditional sentences, the reporting verb, tense, and pronouns may also need to be changed according to the context of the reported speech. Additionally, reported speech may also involve changes in time and place expressions.