Tenses and Moods in Indirect Speech

From the mailbox:

I am confused about the proper tenses to use in reporting indirect speech. If I use one of the so-called "reporting verbs" (afirmar, añadir, contestar, declarar, decir, explicar, insistir, preguntar, pretender, proclamar, sostener) in the main clause and que to introduce the dependent clause, what tense should I use in the dependent clause when the main clause verb is in a past tense? Either the imperfect subjunctive or conditional? Always one of these two?

Fortunately, the answer is simpler than you suppose. Normally, your dependent verb will be in the indicative mood in whatever tense you would use in a direct quotation. So while you can use any indicative tense, you don't need to worry about using the subjunctive mood following most reporting verbs.

Here are some examples:

• Future indicative: El presidente afirmó que enviará un plan al congreso. The president said that he will send a plan to the congress.
• Conditional: El general explicó que enviaría a sus tropas a la problemática provincia. The general explained that he would send his troops to the troubled province.
• Present: Afirmó que envía una importante señal de unidad. She said that she is sending an important signal of unity.
• Imperfect: Explicó que hablaba con un cliente. He explained that he was speaking with a client.
• Preterite: Explicó que habló con el cliente. He explained that he spoke with the client.

You normally wouldn't use the subjunctive mood unless your main verb is a verb of denial or doubt:

• Negó que su hermano tuviera cocaína. He denied that his brother had cocaine.
• La actriz negó que esté embarazada. The actress denied that she is pregnant.
• Cuestionó que esta iniciativa sea la mejor para ayudar la escuela. He questioned whether this initiative is the best for helping the school.