Reported Speech: Tense Backshift

Move the verb one step back in time.

Examples

• "I am tired" → He said he was tired.

Key rules

• In reported speech the verb moves back: am → was, will → would, present → past
• Present perfect and past simple become past perfect
• Modals change: can → could, must → had to
• No backshift is needed if the fact is still true or the reporting verb is present

Common mistakes

• He said he is tired → He said he was tired
• She said she will come → She said she would come