Grammar › Reported Speech › Reported Statements & Backshift
Reported Statements & Backshift
To report a statement, backshift the tense and adjust the words. The main changes are:
- Tense goes back one step — 'I work' → He said he worked.
- Pronouns change to the new speaker — 'I like your bag' → She said she liked my bag.
- Time and place words shift — now → then, here → there, tomorrow → the next day.
'That' is optional (She said she was tired). If the statement is still true, you can keep the present: She says she is tired.
How to report a statement
Use a reporting verb + (that) + the message with the tense moved one step back.
| Direct speech | Reported speech |
|---|---|
| ”I am tired.” | She said she was tired. |
| ”I work here.” | He said he worked there. |
| ”I ‘m working.” | She said she was working. |
| ”I ‘ve finished.” | He said he had finished. |
| ”I will call.” | She said she would call. |
| ”I can swim.” | He said he could swim. |
That is optional, and pronouns and time words change to fit the new speaker and moment.
When and how to change things
1. Backshift the tense
- “I live in Rome.” → She said she lived in Rome.
2. Change the pronouns
- “I like your idea.” → He said he liked my idea.
3. Change time and place words
- “I’ll see you tomorrow.” → She said she’d see me the next day.
⚠️ You don’t have to backshift if the statement is still true: “The Earth is round” → She said the Earth is round (still true).
Common mistakes
1. Keeping the original tense after a past verb. She said she is tired → She said she was tired.
2. Forgetting to change the pronoun. He said I was late (when reporting “you are late”) → He said I was late only if it really was about you; otherwise adjust: He said she was late.
3. Adding a question word order. She said that where did she live → She said (that) she lived there. Pro tip: report a statement as a statement — normal word order, no question mark.
✏️ Practice: Reported Statements & Backshift
1. "I'm hungry." → She said she ___ hungry.
2. "I work in a bank." → He said he ___ in a bank.
3. "I've finished the report." → She said she ___ the report.
4. "I will call you." → He said he ___ call me.
5. "I can swim." → She said she ___ swim.
6. "I like your jacket." → He said he liked ___ jacket.
7. "I'll see you tomorrow." (said on Monday) → She said she'd see me ___.
8. Correct this: 'She said she is coming later.'
9. "We are moving house." → They said they ___ house.
10. Which sentence does NOT need backshift?
Frequently asked questions
What is backshift?
When the reporting verb is past (said, told), the reported tense usually moves one step back: present simple → past simple, will → would. 'I live here' → She said she lived there.
Is 'that' necessary?
No. 'That' is optional after say/tell: She said (that) she was busy. Both are correct.
Do I always backshift?
Not always. If the fact is still true or the reporting verb is present, you can keep the tense: She says she is tired. Backshift is normal after a past reporting verb.
What happens to 'now', 'today' and 'tomorrow'?
They shift to fit the new moment: now → then, today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, yesterday → the day before.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Reported Statements & Backshift”:
- Can report statements with say/tell and optional 'that' (CEFR B1).
- Can backshift tenses one step and change modal verbs (will → would, can → could).
- Can adjust pronouns and time/place references.
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