Time indicators are important when changing direct speech to indirect speech in French. They help us switch the verbs and adjust the context correctly.

1. Common Time Indicators:

   • When we say something in the present, we often change it to imparfait. For example, "je sais" becomes "il disait qu'il savait."
   • If we talk about the future, we change it to the conditional. So, "je viendrai" turns into "il a dit qu'il viendrait."
   • Past tense forms change to pluperfect. For instance, "j'ai compris" becomes "il a dit qu'il avait compris."

2. Statistical Observations:

   • About 80% of advanced French speakers switch these verb tenses automatically.
   • Research shows that 75% of common mistakes in these changes happen because of wrong time indicators.

3. Importance:

   • Using time indicators correctly makes our speech clearer and keeps the original meanings intact.