subject + said that + subject + past verbAfter a past reporting verb, Present Simple in the original statement changes to Past Simple in the reported clause.
Tense Backshift
A2In reported speech after a past reporting verb, the tense moves back: present becomes past, and past becomes past perfect.
What you'll learn
- Change present statements to past in reported speech.
- Change past statements to past perfect after a past reporting verb.
- Build reported statements with said that + clause.
- Notice when a past reporting verb triggers backshift.
- Recognize reporting verbs like said, told, and explained.
Structure
subject + said that + subject + had + past participleIf the original statement was in Past Simple, move it back to Past Perfect in reported speech.
subject + said + that + clauseUse statement word order inside the reported clause. Do not invert the subject and verb.
Build a sentence
Reporter
Original clause
Annasaid thatshe worked late
Anna said that she worked late.
After said, change Present Simple to Past Simple.
When to use
Reporting present words later
Anna says, "I work from home." Later you report it: Anna said that she worked from home.
Reporting an earlier past event
Tom says, "I lost my keys." Later you report it: Tom said that he had lost his keys.
Retelling what someone said
Use backshift when you tell another person about words you heard earlier in a meeting, call, or conversation.
Markers
saidtoldexplainedadmittedpromised
Common mistakes
Wrong
Anna said that she works late.
Correct
Anna said that she worked late.
After said, move Present Simple one step back to Past Simple.
Wrong
Tom said that he lost his keys.
Correct
Tom said that he had lost his keys.
The original past action moves back to had + past participle in reported speech.
Wrong
Lisa said that she finished the report.
Correct
Lisa said that she had finished the report.
Past Perfect needs had. The past participle alone is not enough here.
Wrong
Maria said that was she tired.
Correct
Maria said that she was tired.
A reported statement keeps normal statement order: subject before verb.
Common misconceptions
❝ I can keep the original tense after said because the meaning is still clear. ❞
After a past reporting verb, standard reported speech moves the tense back inside the clause.
❝ Past perfect means only the past participle, so had is optional. ❞
Past perfect needs had + past participle. Without had, the form is not past perfect.
Skills in this rule (5)
PRESENT_TO_PASTw5Change Present Simple to Past Simple in reported speech
When the reporting verb is in the past, move a present statement one step back. Change the verb form inside the reported clause.
PAST_TO_PAST_PERFECTw5Change Past Simple to Past Perfect in reported speech
When the original statement is in Past Simple and the reporting verb is in the past, move it back to had + past participle.
BUILD_REPORTED_CLAUSE_WITH_THATw4Build reported statements with said that
Use a reporting verb plus that and then the reported clause. Keep normal statement word order inside the clause.
USE_BACKSHIFT_AFTER_PAST_REPORTINGw4Use backshift after a past reporting verb
Backshift appears after past reporting verbs like said or told. The tense inside the reported clause moves back because the reporting point is in the past.
PICK_REPORTING_VERBSw3Recognize reporting verbs that trigger backshift
Words like said, told, explained, and admitted signal reported speech from a past point. They often trigger the tense change in the reported clause.