Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

The present progressive 

492c

In indirect speech, if the speech reported represents someone’s current position or

opinion (which might possibly change), then the present progressive can be used:

He’s saying it was a Head Office decision but did he know prior to that? 

(that is his current position on the matter)

Û

360b The present progressive for narrative build-up

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Speech representation | 809

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The past progressive 

492d

The past progressive is frequent in indirect reports in spoken language. It is used

to focus on a new topic or to emphasise an important bit of news or information

which the speaker has heard first-hand. It takes the focus away from the actual

words reported and puts it on the content:

Jenny 

was saying that five mortar bombs have been found at Heathrow Airport.

Don 

was telling me the Magdeburg students have lectures at seven o’clock in

the morning.

He 

was suggesting I should travel.

Reports of newsworthy items that the speaker has read about also often occur

with the past progressive:

[Tony Blair was the British Prime Minister at the time of speaking]

I 

was reading in the paper that Blair’s going to the Caribbean for his holidays.