Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
reported speech
noun
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ Consider, for example, reported speech.
▪ In standard reported speech, the words of the speaker typically undergo certain rule-governed transformations affecting pronouns and verb tenses.
▪ The directives had no application to parliamentary proceedings or elections and allowed reported speech.
Wiktionary
reported speech
n. (context grammar English) a form of speech used to express what another has said; often involves a change in tense
Usage examples of "reported speech".
It must be observed that there is a difference between the comments of the author and the things said in reported speech by his characters.