Indirect / Reported Speech. Backshift is common after past reporting verbs, but is not always required if a statement remains true or relevant.
The idea
After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Structure & examples
She said she was tired.
Tom said that he liked the idea.
Notice the pattern
Say can introduce a clause directly, but tell normally needs a person: she said that…; she told me that…. Backshift is common after a past reporting verb, but it is not obligatory when the information remains true. Pronouns and time words depend on the new speaker's viewpoint.
He said he was tired.
She told me the truth.
Important notes & common mistakes
Adapt pronouns to the person being reported.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Indirect / Reported Speech
Backshift is common after past reporting verbs, but is not always required if a statement remains true or relevant. Say takes a clause; tell takes a person. Reported questions use statement order, and requests use object + to-infinitive.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
She told me to wait.
He asked where I worked.
They said they had finished. (backshift of have finished)
She asked whether I was ready.
He told me he was leaving.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
He said that he ___ the idea.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: liked
Completed sentence: He said that he liked the idea. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Maya told me she ___ later.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: would call
Completed sentence: Maya told me she would call later. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
They said they ___ ready.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: were
Completed sentence: They said they were ready. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
She told me that she ___ before lunch.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: had finished
Completed sentence: She told me that she had finished before lunch. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Question 1 of 50% complete
She said she ___ tired.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: was
After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: liked
Completed sentence: He said that he liked the idea. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would call
Completed sentence: Maya told me she would call later. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: were
Completed sentence: They said they were ready. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had finished
Completed sentence: She told me that she had finished before lunch. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: was
Completed sentence: Report I am hungry with was: He said he was hungry. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: could
Completed sentence: Report We can help with could: They said they could help. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: told
Completed sentence: Use told or said: She told me the news. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: said
Completed sentence: Use told or said: He said that he was busy. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had lost
Completed sentence: Report I have lost it using past perfect: She said she had lost it. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Tom said that he liked the idea
After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker. Adapt pronouns to the person being reported.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: He said he was tired
He said he was tired. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker. Adapt pronouns to the person being reported.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She told me the truth
She told me the truth. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker. Adapt pronouns to the person being reported.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: They said they would return
They said they would return. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker. Adapt pronouns to the person being reported.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I told her I could help
I told her I could help. After a past reporting verb, present forms commonly shift to past forms; pronouns change with the speaker. Adapt pronouns to the person being reported.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Completed sentence: She told me to wait. Backshift is common after past reporting verbs, but is not always required if a statement remains true or relevant. Say takes a clause; tell takes a person. Reported questions use statement order, and requests use object + to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: worked
Completed sentence: He asked where I worked. Backshift is common after past reporting verbs, but is not always required if a statement remains true or relevant. Say takes a clause; tell takes a person. Reported questions use statement order, and requests use object + to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had
Completed sentence: They said they had finished. (backshift of have finished) Backshift is common after past reporting verbs, but is not always required if a statement remains true or relevant. Say takes a clause; tell takes a person. Reported questions use statement order, and requests use object + to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: whether
Completed sentence: She asked whether I was ready. Backshift is common after past reporting verbs, but is not always required if a statement remains true or relevant. Say takes a clause; tell takes a person. Reported questions use statement order, and requests use object + to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: told
Completed sentence: He told me he was leaving. Backshift is common after past reporting verbs, but is not always required if a statement remains true or relevant. Say takes a clause; tell takes a person. Reported questions use statement order, and requests use object + to-infinitive.
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