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.
