Listen First
I’ve just come from the board meeting. The chairman confirmed that our Q3 projections are still on track, which was a relief.
That’s good to hear. Did they press you on the budget overspend?
Absolutely. He asked if the overspend was under control now. I assured him it was. He also warned that we would have to reconsider the entire strategy if the next quarter’s targets weren’t met.
A clear threat. What was his feeling about the new marketing initiative?
He admitted that he had initially doubted its viability, but said that the early results had made him a believer. He insisted that we submit the revised plan by Friday.
Understood. So, to recap, he confirmed the projections are okay, but the strategy is on the line. And he wants the new plan on his desk by the end of the week.
That’s the substance of it. He also mentioned that he had always believed our team was the one to deliver.
You’ve learned the basic rule of reported speech: take one step back into the past. Now it’s time for the advanced technique: knowing when *not* to. Mastering these exceptions is the key to sounding more natural, precise, and intelligent when reporting what others have said. 🧠
Function & Usage
Sometimes, backshifting the verb tense can change the meaning or sound unnatural. We often choose *not* to backshift in specific situations to maintain the original truth or immediacy of the statement.
- Universal Truths: When reporting a fact that is always true (scientific, general, or philosophical truths), we usually keep the verb in the present tense.
Direct: “The Earth revolves around the Sun.” → Reported: “Copernicus stated that the Earth revolves around the Sun.” - Situations That Are Still True (Immediacy): When the situation you are reporting is still true at the moment of speaking, you can choose to keep the original present tense to emphasize its current relevance.
Direct: “I love chocolate.” → Reported: “She said she loves chocolate.” (This is still true about her).
Direct: “I’m coming to the party tonight.” → Reported: “He told me he is coming to the party.” (It is still tonight).
The Structure (Form)
The choice depends on the context. Notice how keeping the present tense adds a sense of current truth.
| Direct Speech | Standard Backshift (Always Correct) | Optional/Better Choice (If still true) |
|---|---|---|
| “Water boils at 100°C.” | She said it boiled… (Sounds strange) | She said it boils… (Better) |
| “My brother is a doctor.” | He said his brother was a doctor. | He said his brother is a doctor. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Backshifting a Universal Truth: Saying “He taught us that the world was round” sounds like you’re implying it is no longer round. Always keep universal truths in the present.
- Not Backshifting When the Situation is Finished: If the situation is no longer true, you must backshift. Incorrect (if he is no longer sick): “He said he is sick.” Correct: “He said he was sick.”
Let’s see it in action! 🎬
Teacher (in class): “Remember, honesty is the best policy.”
Student (later): My teacher always says that honesty is the best policy.
John (on the phone): “I’m running late. I will be there in 10 minutes.”
You (to your friend, 2 minutes later): John just called. He said he is running late and he will be here in about 8 minutes.
Maria (last year): “I love living in this city.”
You (today, after Maria moved away): When I spoke to her last year, she said she loved living in that city.
Check Your Understanding! ✅
1. (Universal Truth) The science teacher said that the Earth not flat. (be)
2. (Still True) My brother told me he a new car. (He still needs one).
3. (Finished Situation) Last week, she said she tired. (She feels fine now).
4. (Immediacy) I just spoke to them. They said they now. (be coming)
5. (Universal Truth) Our parents taught us that honesty important. (be)
6. Direct: “I am a vegetarian.” (This is still true about her). She told me she ___ a vegetarian.
7. Direct: “I was sick last week.” (The sickness is over). He said that he ___ sick last week.
8. Direct: “Tokyo is the capital of Japan.” My teacher said that Tokyo ___ the capital of Japan.
9. Direct: “I will call you tomorrow.” (Today is ‘tomorrow’). He said he ___ call me today.
10. Direct: “I lived in that house for ten years.” (She lives somewhere else now). She told me she ___ in that house for ten years.
