Definition / Explanation
Reported speech lets us tell someone what another person said without repeating the original words exactly. When the reporting verb is in the past, English often moves the tense one step back. This is called backshift, and it helps show that the original words were said earlier. However, backshift is not always required, especially when the information is still true. The real skill is understanding the relationship between the original message, the reporting time, and the current reality.
Key Rules
- Use a reporting verb such as said, told, explained, or mentioned.
- Tenses often move back: am -> was, have done -> had done, will -> would.
- Say does not take a direct object in the same way as tell: He said that... / He told me that...
- Pronouns, time words, and place words may also change.
- Backshift is often unnecessary if the statement is still clearly true now.
Examples
- He said that he was tired.
- She told me that she had left early.
- They said they would call later.
- I told her that the meeting was cancelled.
- He said that the earth is round.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ He told that he was tired. -> ✅ He said that he was tired. / ✅ He told me that he was tired.
- ❌ She said me that she had left. -> ✅ She told me that she had left.
- ❌ They said they will call later. -> ✅ They said they would call later.