Explain the changes in modals when reporting reported speech within reported speech in indirect speech.

Explain the changes in modals when reporting reported speech within reported speech in indirect speech.

When reporting reported speech within reported speech in indirect speech, the modals undergo certain changes.

1. If the reported speech contains a modal verb, such as "can," "could," "may," "might," "shall," "should," "will," "would," "must," "ought to," or "need," the modal verb is usually changed according to the following rules:
- "Can" changes to "could."
- "May" changes to "might."
- "Shall" changes to "should."
- "Will" changes to "would."
- "Must" changes to "had to" or "was/were to."
- "Ought to" changes to "ought to" or "had to."
- "Need" changes to "needed to" or "had to."

2. If the reported speech contains a modal verb in the past tense, such as "could," "might," "should," "would," or "had to," the modal verb remains unchanged.

3. If the reported speech contains a modal verb in the present or future tense, such as "can," "may," "shall," "will," "must," or "ought to," the modal verb is usually changed according to the rules mentioned in point 1.

It is important to note that these changes in modals are not always mandatory and can vary depending on the context and the speaker's intention.