It took me three hours to clean the house yesterday. —> I spent three hours cleaning the house yesterday.

"I am having a wonderful time here," my sister said. —> My sister said that she was having a wonderful time there.

People believe that they live in a mountainous area. —> They believe that they live in a mountainous area.

What a pity! She isn't here to help me. —> I wish she were here to help me.