Learn English – Indirect Speech: Change of this

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1:

direct speech: He said to the judge," I did not commit this crime.

Indirect speech(book answer): He told the judge that he had not committed the crime.

Here book changes this into the.

In many instances i found that This was changed into That.for example this week into that week.

2:

Direct speech: He said," I shall do this tomorrow."

Indirect speech(book answer): He said that he should do it the next day.

In #2 book changes this into it.

In three different sentences This was changed into the, that and it.
So i am confused when to change this into the, that and it.

Best Answer

Imagine that when person "A" says "this" or "that", he and the person spoken to (person "B") are looking at the same thing. It's as if they are pointing at the thing with a finger.

Now, when someone else (person "C") is reporting to person "D" the conversation between A and B, person C cannot point at the thing with his finger because the thing is not there, but is with A and B. So person "C" cannot use "this" when reporting speech between A and B.

A: I like this kitten.
B: -- I like that kitten too. Here, kitty kitty! Ouch! This kitten has sharp claws.

C: "A" said he liked the kitten.
D: --Did "B" like the kitten too? What color was it?

Here, the "thing" is not something with fur but an intangible:

A: You would be wise to remember this: a stitch in time saves nine.
B: -- I'll remember that.

C: A told B that he would be wise to remember: a stitch in time saves nine.
D: -- Did B say he would remember it?
C: I forget what he said.

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