Backshift for Reported Speech

Tense Direct Speech Reported Speech

present simple I like ice cream She said (that) she liked ice cream.

present cont. I am living in London She said (that) she was living in London.

past simple I bought a car She said (that) she had bought a car

past She said (that) she had been walking along the
I was walking along the street
continuous street.

present
I haven't seen Julie She said (that) she hadn't seen Julie.
perfect

I had taken English lessons She said (that) she had taken English lessons
past perfect*
before before.

will I'll see you later She said (that) she would see me later.

must I must study at the weekend She said she had to study at the weekend

can I can speak perfect English She said (that) she could speak perfect English.
* doesn't change.

We don't need to use the backshift if the information in direct speech is still true (but this is only for
things which are general facts, and even then usually we like to change the tense):
- Direct speech: The sky is blue. - Reported speech: She said (that) the sky is/was blue.

Reporting verbs (+ that): accept / add / agree / announce / argue / believes / claim / comment /
conclude / feel / find / indicate / informed (+ object + that …) / mention / point out / predict /
proclaim / remarked / say / state / tell (+ object + that/to …) / think /

Reporting Verbs that carry additional meaning (no backshift of verb-tense)

- Reporting verb + v-ing

admit / advise / deny / insist on / recommend / regret / suggest
- Reporting verb + to + v1
decide / offer / promise / refuse / threaten /
- Reporting verb + object + to + v1
advise / invite / remind / warn
- Reporting verb + preposition + v-ing
admit / apologize / warn /
 - Reporting verb + object + preposition + v-ing
accuse / blame / forgive

Practice
Report questions and answers from the conversation
e.g. You asked me …. I said/ told (you) that …

How are you? Have you had a good week? What did you do last night?
What are your plans for the weekend?

Daniella meets Martin for the second time. She finds out that he hasn’t been completely honest.
Look at what he told her before and complete their conversation using a backshift for verb-tenses.
"I can speak French fluently." "I don't drink alcohol."
"I drive a Mercedes." "I’m living on my own at the moment."
"I'm going to spend the summer in Miami." "I've travelled all over the world."
"I won't forget your name." "I have my own business."
Martin: My boss gave me a promotion today!
Daniella: But I thought you said (e.g.) you had your own business.

Martin: I've never been to China.

Daniella: But I thought you told me (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Martin: I take the train to work every day.

Daniella: But didn't you state that (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?

Martin: Let's go for a beer tomorrow evening.

Daniella: But I thought you remarked that (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Martin: I was at a French restaurant. The food was great, but the waiters refused to speak English!
Daniella: But I thought you mentioned that (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Martin: Sorry, I have to answer the phone. It's my flatmate.

Daniella: But you informed me that (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Martin: I'm going to stay at home this summer, so we can meet all the time.
Daniella: But didn't you claim that (6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?

Martin: It was nice to see you again, Maria.

Daniella: It's Daniella. I thought you said (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Use the reporting verbs listed to complete reported speech statements.

accuse apologise decide forgive insist object

refuse suggest

a ‘What about going to Crete this year for our holiday?’ Tina said.
b ‘I’m very sorry but I haven’t been able to complete the project by the deadline’, remarked Ella.
c ‘I’ve made up my mind – I’m going to take the job, but I’m not keen!’ Colin said.
d ‘It can’t be helped. I know you didn’t mean to drop the vase,’ his mother said.
e ‘Leave that window shut. We don’t want to catch our death of cold,’ Jason said.
f ‘That’s my book you’ve got in your school bag!’ Rose said.
g ‘I’ll go out if I want to!’ my brother said.
h ‘I have no intention of going by train, thank you very much,’ Lucy said.
Provide answers to the following questions using a form of reported speech.
Your country and society
 What are some common stereotypes that some people may form about your country/area?
 Which advice would be given to tourists visiting your country/area?
 What was the existing government’s key message in their previous election campaign?
 What do reporters say about the current economic situation in your country?
Current affairs and media
 When was the last time someone expressed to you their opinion about a current affairs topic?
What did they have to say on the matter?
 Can you describe an example of a fake news story that received a lot of attention?
Have you ever changed your mind about a political topic? What were your views, and what
influenced you to change perspective?
 Can you provide an example of an apology that was made by a public figure?
Youth and family
 What are some of the values your parents advocated to you as a child?
 What comments have any friends or family members made about your choice of studies or
work/job opportunities?
 Does anyone in your family have a favourite anecdote?
 What do you know about your ancestors? How did you find out?
Education and motivation
 Can you give an example of a recommendation or suggestion made to you by a teacher?
 Did you ever speak to your school’s headteacher? What about?
 Did you learn anything at school that turned out to be wrong? How did you find out?
 Were there any rules heavily emphasised at your school which you would have liked to change?
Work and communication
 Can you give some examples of bad communication in the workplace?
 Have you ever had a disagreement with anyone at work or college? Why?
 Have you ever refused to do anything that a boss or teacher asked you to do?
 Have you ever had to give a presentation or speech? What did you say?
Issues and complaints
 Have you ever broken a promise?
 Have you ever received emails from scammers? Can you give an example?
 Have you ever spoken to the police? What about?
 When did you last complain about a product or service? What happened?

Describe a conversation that had an influence on you in some way.

You should discuss:
- who you were speaking to and why
- what the speech/conversation was about and when it occurred
- some of the specific comments/points made in the conversation
and explain what the effect of the discussion on you was and it is memorable

Describe a speech that somebody delivered which you have recently listened to.
You should say:
- who gave the speech and where it took place
- what the topic of the speech was
- what some of the key ideas discussed were
and explain why you liked/disliked the speech.
Answers

a Tina suggested going to Crete this year for their/our holiday.

b Ella apologised for not completing the project on time.
c Colin decided to take the job.
d His mother forgave him for breaking the vase.
e Jason objected to the window being opened.
f Rose accused me of taking her book.
g My brother insisted on going out.
h Lucy refused to go by train.