sped/speed

AnonymousWhat's the difference?

The policeman indicated that we sped up.

The policeman indicated that we speed up.

To me, there is no difference. It's a matter of usage.

The second sentence could have 'should' within the sentence.

The policeman indicated that we should speed up.

In the first, the policeman is telling you what you did (already) do.

"But office, I was only going 55 miles per hour!"

"No, sir. You had been going 55, but then once you hit that straight stretch of road, you sped up to 75."

Here, the policeman is telling me that I sped up. That's why I got a ticket.

The second is as Yoong Liat says - he is telling you that you

AnonymousWhat's the difference?

The policeman indicated that we sped up. Reported speech: the statement was valid at the time of uttering it (in the past)

The policeman indicated that we speed up. Reported speech: the statement is still valid now or always (or in general).

I agree with GG.

you sped up = you did the action before the time of speaking

speed up = you hadn't done the action at the time of speaking

Just out of curiosity. Did you really mean this?

What's the difference?
The policeman indicated that we sped up.
The policeman indicated that we speed up.

Or did you by chance intend to ask this?

What's the difference?
The policeman indicated that we sped up.
The policeman indicated that we speeded up.

CJ