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Early in my teaching career, a student asked me why teachers always said “She said she was tired” instead of “She said she is tired.” At the time, I had to think about it. Now I teach it constantly, and I know the rule backwards: reported speech often requires a tense shift backwards — the present becomes past, the past becomes past perfect. The rule has a name (backshift), but the reason is simple: you’re reporting something that was said in the past, so your verb tense reflects that you’re no longer in the moment it was spoken.
You’ll discover when and why tense changes happen in reported speech, master all nine major transformations, learn what stays the same, and see real examples you can use. By the end, you’ll understand the logic, not just the pattern.
Key Takeaways
- The backshift rule: When you report something someone said in the past, move the tense one step back (present → past, past → past perfect).
- Nine major transformations: Present Simple → Past Simple, Present Continuous → Past Continuous, Past Simple → Past Perfect, and six others.
- Exceptions exist: No backshift if the reporting verb is in present tense (“She says she is tired”) or if the statement is always true.
- Modals change too: will → would, can → could, must → had to.
- Time expressions shift: yesterday → the day before, this morning → that morning, tomorrow → the next day.
What Is Reported Speech?
Reported speech (also called indirect speech) is when you tell someone else what another person said, without quoting them directly.
Direct speech (a quote): “I am tired,” she said.
Reported speech (no quote): She said (that) she was tired.
Notice the difference: in direct speech, we use the exact words and the present tense “am.” In reported speech, we paraphrase and shift the tense to “was.” This tense change is the main topic of this guide.
Key concept: Reported speech feels “further away” in time because you’re describing what someone said in the past, not quoting them in the moment. The tense shift reflects that distance.
The Nine Major Tense Changes in Reported Speech
Here are the nine most common transformations. Each one follows the same logic: the original tense moves one step back in time.
1. Present Simple → Past Simple
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “I want to watch a film,” he said. | He said (that) he wanted to watch a film. |
| “She likes coffee,” Tom said. | Tom said (that) she liked coffee. |
| “They are happy,” the teacher said. | The teacher said (that) they were happy. |
Examples across different pronouns:
I play tennis. → He said he played tennis.
You need help. → She said you needed help.
We love this game. → They said they loved that game.
2. Present Continuous → Past Continuous
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “Jane is sleeping,” he said. | He said (that) Jane was sleeping. |
| “I’m studying for the test,” she said. | She said (that) she was studying for the test. |
| “They are working on the project,” the boss said. | The boss said (that) they were working on the project. |
3. Past Simple → Past Perfect
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Alex said, “I finished my homework.” | Alex said he had finished his homework. |
| “She worked here for five years,” the manager said. | The manager said she had worked there for five years. |
| “I lost my keys yesterday,” he said. | He said he had lost his keys the day before. |
4. Past Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “I was sleeping at that time,” she said. | She said that she had been sleeping at that time. |
| “They were watching TV when you called,” he said. | He said they had been watching TV when I called. |
| “I was working there for three years,” she said. | She said she had been working there for three years. |
5. Present Perfect → Past Perfect
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “I have eaten already,” she said. | She said that she had eaten already. |
| “We have visited France three times,” they said. | They said they had visited France three times. |
| “She has never been to Japan,” he said. | He said she had never been to Japan. |
6. Will → Would
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “I will always love you,” she said. | She said that she would always love him. |
| “They will finish the project next week,” the manager said. | The manager said they would finish the project the following week. |
| “You will be happy here,” she promised. | She promised that I would be happy there. |
7. Can → Could
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “I can carry 50 kg,” Tom said. | Tom said he could carry 50 kg. |
| “She can speak five languages,” he said. | He said she could speak five languages. |
| “We can solve this problem,” they said. | They said they could solve that problem. |
8. Must → Had to (or Must)
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech (Preferred) | Also Acceptable |
|---|---|---|
| “Everybody must obey the rules,” she said. | She said everybody had to obey the rules. | She said everybody must obey the rules. |
| “You must be home by 10 pm,” the parent said. | The parent said I had to be home by 10 pm. | The parent said I must be home by 10 pm. |
9. Have to → Had to
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “I have to go home,” she said. | She said she had to go home. |
| “He has to finish his work,” they said. | They said he had to finish his work. |
When Tense Does NOT Change in Reported Speech
Not every reported speech sentence requires a tense shift. Three important exceptions exist:
Exception 1: When the Reporting Verb Is in Present Tense
If you say something right now using a present-tense reporting verb, the tense of the reported clause often stays the same.
Direct: “I am tired,” she says.
Reported (no shift): She says (that) she is tired.
Other examples:
She says she is arriving around ten. (not “was arriving”)
He tells me he loves coffee. (not “loved”)
Exception 2: When the Reported Verb Describes “Always True” Facts
If the statement is a universal truth or always true, the tense does not necessarily shift.
Direct: “The Earth is round,” the teacher said.
Reported (no shift): The teacher said the Earth is round. (It’s still true.)
Other examples:
Harry told me he still likes you. (His preference hasn’t changed, so present tense is natural.)
She said she is a nurse. (This remains true, so present tense is acceptable.)
Exception 3: When the Message Is Repeated Immediately
If you repeat what someone said moments after they said it, shifting tense may feel unnatural:
Direct: “I’m too busy to come,” Laura said.
Reported (no shift, because just said): Laura said she’s too busy to come.
This is less formal and more conversational.
General rule: Shift tenses when reporting past speech (she said she was tired). Don’t shift if the reporting verb is present (she says she is tired) or if the statement is eternally true (he said the sun is a star).
Pronoun and Time Expression Changes
Tense is not the only thing that changes in reported speech. Pronouns and time expressions also shift:
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| “I am happy,” he said. | He said he was happy. | I → he (speaker’s perspective changes) |
| “You are wrong,” she said. | She said I was wrong. | You → I (if reporting something said to you) |
| “She lost her keys yesterday,” he said. | He said she had lost her keys the day before. | yesterday → the day before (the time reference shifts) |
| “I will see you tomorrow,” she said. | She said she would see me the next day. | tomorrow → the next day |
| “We went last month,” they said. | They said they had gone the month before. | last month → the month before |
| “This is mine,” she said. | She said that was hers. | This → that; mine → hers |
Sample Dialogue: Reported Speech in Conversation
Two friends discussing a conversation
Lisa: What did Tom say about the project?
Amy: He said he had finished his part and that it would be ready by Friday.
Lisa: Did he say anything else?
Amy: Yes, he mentioned he was working on the presentation. He also said you should send him the budget numbers.
Lisa: Okay. Did he seem confident?
Amy: He said the timeline was tight but that the team could do it.
Common Mistakes in Reported Speech
❌ Mistake 1: Forgetting to Shift the Tense
✗ Incorrect: She said she is tired.
✓ Correct: She said she was tired.
Why: The reporting verb is past (“said”), so the reported clause should be past too (“was”).
❌ Mistake 2: Shifting Tense When You Shouldn’t
✗ Incorrect: She says she was tired.
✓ Correct: She says she is tired.
Why: The reporting verb is present (“says”), so the reported clause can stay present (“is”).
❌ Mistake 3: Forgetting to Change Pronouns
✗ Incorrect: He said, “I am happy.” → He said I am happy. (Does this mean “I” the listener am happy?)
✓ Correct: He said he was happy. (Clear that “he” is the speaker.)
Why: Pronouns shift to match the new perspective of the listener.
❌ Mistake 4: Not Shifting Time Expressions
✗ Incorrect: She said she lost her keys yesterday.
✓ Correct: She said she had lost her keys the day before.
Why: “Yesterday” is relative to when the speaker said it. For the listener, it was “the day before.”
Practice Quiz
Test Your Reported Speech Skills
- Convert to reported speech: “I eat breakfast at 7 am,” she said. → “She said __________.”
- Is the tense shift correct? “She says she was happy.” (Yes / No)
- Convert to reported speech: “We will arrive tomorrow,” they said. → “They said __________.”
- Fill in: “He can swim,” she said. → She said he __________ swim.
- Which is correct?
- a) The teacher said the Earth is round.
- b) The teacher said the Earth was round.
Answers: 1. she ate breakfast at 7 am · 2. No (says = present tense, so: she says she is happy) · 3. they would arrive the next day · 4. could · 5. a (eternal truths don’t shift)
Reported Speech vs. Direct Speech at a Glance
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of a complete conversation:
| Direct Speech (Quotation) | Reported Speech (Paraphrase) |
|---|---|
| John said, “I work in marketing.” | John said he worked in marketing. |
| Mary said, “I have finished the report.” | Mary said she had finished the report. |
| The boss said, “You must be on time.” | The boss said I had to be on time. |
| They said, “We will call you tomorrow.” | They said they would call me the next day. |
| She said, “I can speak Spanish.” | She said she could speak Spanish. |
Related Articles
- Past Simple Tense Explained
- Present Perfect Tense in Depth
- ↑ Back to pillar: English Tenses (Pillar)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always have to shift the tense in reported speech?
No. Shift the tense when the reporting verb is in past tense (“she said”) or when normal time has passed. Don’t shift if the reporting verb is in present tense (“she says”), if the statement is eternally true (“he said 2 + 2 = 4”), or if you’re repeating immediately.
What’s the difference between direct and reported speech?
Direct speech is a quote using the speaker’s exact words and punctuation: “I am happy,” she said. Reported speech paraphrases what was said, often with tense shifts: She said she was happy.
Why do modals change (can → could, will → would)?
Modals shift backward in time just like regular tenses. Can expresses present ability, so in reported speech it becomes could (past ability). Will expresses future, so it becomes would (conditional future from a past perspective).
When should I use “that” in reported speech?
“That” is optional but often used for clarity, especially with longer sentences. “She said she was tired” and “She said that she was tired” mean the same thing. Use “that” if it makes the sentence clearer.
How do questions work in reported speech?
Questions in reported speech do not use the question form. Instead, they become statement-like: “Do you like coffee?” she asked. → She asked if I liked coffee. (No question mark, word order changes.)
Is there a list of all the tense transformations?
Yes — the nine major ones are in this guide: present simple → past simple, present continuous → past continuous, past simple → past perfect, past continuous → past perfect continuous, present perfect → past perfect, will → would, can → could, must → had to, have to → had to.
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