subject + said + (that) + clause in present formUse said that + present clause when the information is still true or is a general truth.
No Backshift Rule
B1Do not backshift in reported speech when the statement is still true now or when you report it immediately. Keep the present form.
What you'll learn
- Keep the present form for facts that are still true.
- Keep the present form when you report words right away.
- Check if the message is still true before changing the tense.
- Use said that and told me that with no backshift when needed.
- Notice markers that show a truth or current fact.
Structure
subject + told + object + (that) + clause in present formUse told + object + present clause when the message still holds now.
Build a sentence
Speaker
Message
Annasaidthat water boils at 100°C
Anna said that water boils at 100°C.
Keep the present for a general truth.
When to use
General truths
Use no backshift for facts that do not change: science, geography, definitions, and routines that are still true now.
Immediate updates
Use no backshift when someone speaks and you report the message right away: Anna says that she is ready.
Still-true information
If the information remains correct at the reporting moment, present forms can stay present: Tom said that the office is on Oak Street.
Markers
alwaysneverevery daythe sunwaternowstill
Common mistakes
Wrong
The teacher said that water boiled at 100°C.
Correct
The teacher said that water boils at 100°C.
Water still boils at 100°C, so the reported clause can stay in the present.
Wrong
Tom said that the office was on Oak Street.
Correct
Tom said that the office is on Oak Street.
If the office is still on Oak Street now, keep the present form in the reported clause.
Wrong
Maria told me that the store closed at nine.
Correct
Maria told me that the store closes at nine.
A regular schedule that is still true can stay in the present after told me that.
Wrong
Anna says that she was tired.
Correct
Anna says that she is tired.
When you report the message immediately and it is true now, keep the present form.
Common misconceptions
❝ If the reporting verb is past, the next verb must always move into the past. ❞
Not always. Keep the present when the statement is still true or when you report it immediately.
❝ No backshift means I never change tense in reported speech. ❞
You choose based on meaning. If the idea is no longer true or you want past distance, backshift can still happen.
Skills in this rule (5)
KEEP_PRESENT_FOR_GENERAL_TRUTHSw5Keep the present form for general truths in reported speech
When the original statement is still true for everyone, keep the present form after said or told. Do not move it into the past just because the reporting verb is past.
KEEP_PRESENT_IN_IMMEDIATE_REPORTINGw5Keep the present form when reporting immediately
When you report the words right away and the information is still current, the original present form can stay present. This is common with fresh news, instructions, and updates.
CHECK_IF_THE_FACT_IS_STILL_TRUEw4Decide if the original idea is still true now
Before changing the tense, ask one question: is this fact, situation, or message still true at the moment of reporting? If yes, no backshift is possible.
USE_SAY_TELL_WITH_NO_BACKSHIFTw4Use say and tell patterns with no backshift
Build reported clauses with said that ... or told me that ... and keep the present form when the content stays true or is reported immediately.
SPOT_GENERAL_TRUTH_MARKERSw3Recognize clues for no backshift
Words and ideas like always, never, every day, water, the sun, and fixed facts often show that the statement stays true. These clues help you keep the present form.