Lesson

Tense choice in reporting

Backshift rules

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Tense choice in reporting

Tense choice in reporting explains how we change verb tenses when we report what someone else said. This includes statements, questions and commands. The main idea is 'backshifting': when the reporting verb is in the past, many present and future tenses in the original speech move one step back in time.

  • Reporting verb in the past usually requires backshift (e.g. present → past, will → would).
  • If the reporting verb is in the present, or if the statement is still true, we often keep the original tense.
  • Time and place expressions often change (now → then, today → that day).
  • Some modals and perfect forms also change (can → could, have done → had done).

Table

Common tense changes in reported speech (Direct → Reported)

Direct speech Reported speech Example
Present simple Past simple "I work in London," she said.
Present continuous Past continuous "I am working on the project," he said.
Present perfect Past perfect "I have finished the report," she said.
Past simple Past perfect "I saw the email," he said.
Will (future) Would "I will sign the contract," the CEO said.
Can Could "I can attend the meeting," she said.
May / might Might (often) "I may join the call," the director said.
Past perfect Past perfect (no change) "I had already left," she said.

Tip

Key rule: Check the reporting verb

The most important factor that determines tense changes is the tense of the reporting verb.

  • If the reporting verb is in the past (said, told, explained), backshift tenses in the original statement.
  • If the reporting verb is in the present (says, explains) or if the statement is a universal truth, you usually keep the original tense.
  • Adjust time expressions when you backshift (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).

Remember: past reporting verb → usually backshift; present reporting verb → usually no backshift

Example

Examples in context

"I have finished the report," Maria said.

"We are launching the product next month," the marketing manager said.

"I will sign the contract tomorrow," the CEO said.

"I can join the conference call," James said.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these universal errors when choosing tenses in reported speech.

  • Forgetting to backshift after a past reporting verb (e.g. keeping present simple instead of using past simple).
  • Over-backshifting when the reporting verb is present or when the statement is still true (needless changes).
  • Not changing time expressions (keeping 'today' instead of 'that day', or 'tomorrow' instead of 'the next day').
  • Incorrect modal changes (e.g. leaving 'can' as 'can' instead of 'could' after a past reporting verb).
  • Using the past perfect unnecessarily when a simple past is correct.

Always check the reporting verb and whether the reported fact is still true before you change tenses.

Quiz

Choose the correct reported sentence for: "I have sent the invoice," John said.

Hint: Think about backshift after past reporting verbs.

Quiz

Complete: She said she _____ the figures before the meeting.

Hint: Think about changing future forms after a past reporting verb.

Quiz

Which sentence is correct if the CEO currently says: "We are expanding into Asia"?

Hint: Check the tense of the reporting verb (present vs past).

Key Points

GrammarPoint

reported speech

noun CEFR B1 //rɪˈpɔːrtɪd spiːtʃ//

A way of conveying what someone else said without quoting their exact words.

The manager reported that the team had completed the project.

GrammarPoint

backshift

noun CEFR B2 //ˈbækʃɪft//

The change of verb tense that usually happens when reporting speech with a past reporting verb.

Direct: "I am busy." → Reported: He said he was busy (backshift).

GrammarPoint

reporting verb

noun CEFR B1 //rɪˈpɔːrtɪŋ vɜːrb//

A verb used to introduce reported speech (e.g. say, tell, explain, ask).

She told the team that the deadline had been moved.

GrammarPoint

past perfect

noun CEFR B1 //pæst ˈpɜːrfɪkt//

A tense used to show that an action happened before another past action (had + past participle).

He said he had completed the audit before the meeting.

GrammarPoint

would

modal verb CEFR B1 //wʊd//

The past form of 'will' used in reported speech or as a conditional modal.

He said he would attend the meeting the next day.

Expression

time expressions (that day / the next day)

noun CEFR B2 //taɪm ɪkˈsprɛʃənz//

Words or phrases that indicate time and often change in reported speech (now → then).

Direct: "I will finish it tomorrow." → Reported: He said he would finish it the next day.