REPORTED SPEECH — SIMPLE PAST EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
When converting direct speech to reported speech with a past reporting verb, the simple past shifts back to the past perfect. This backshift pattern is one of the most important reported speech rules at B1/B2 level, and this exercise focuses on it specifically.
Grammar review
Reported speech with the simple past — tense backshift
When reporting what someone said in the past, the tenses in the original statement typically shift one step further back into the past. This is called tense backshift.
Simple past → past perfect:
Direct: “I finished the project.”
Reported: She said she had finished the project.
Direct: “We went to the cinema.”
Reported: They said they had gone to the cinema.
Why does the tense shift?
Because the reporting verb (said, told) is in the past, the content of what was said shifts back to maintain the correct chronological relationship.
Other changes that occur:
• Pronouns shift to reflect who is speaking: “I” → she/he/they
• Time expressions shift: yesterday → the day before; now → then; today → that day
When backshift is optional:
If the situation described is still true or relevant, the tense shift is not always required:
“She said she lives in Paris.” (still true) vs “She said she lived in Paris.” (the standard backshifted form)
When reporting what someone said in the past, the tenses in the original statement typically shift one step further back into the past. This is called tense backshift.
Simple past → past perfect:
Direct: “I finished the project.”
Reported: She said she had finished the project.
Direct: “We went to the cinema.”
Reported: They said they had gone to the cinema.
Why does the tense shift?
Because the reporting verb (said, told) is in the past, the content of what was said shifts back to maintain the correct chronological relationship.
Other changes that occur:
• Pronouns shift to reflect who is speaking: “I” → she/he/they
• Time expressions shift: yesterday → the day before; now → then; today → that day
When backshift is optional:
If the situation described is still true or relevant, the tense shift is not always required:
“She said she lives in Paris.” (still true) vs “She said she lived in Paris.” (the standard backshifted form)
Convert each direct speech sentence into reported speech.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
Reported speech in the simple past is one of the most common patterns — build on it with these exercises.
More reported speech exercises:
Reported speech (mixed tenses) 1 (B1/B2)
Reported speech (mixed tenses) 2 (B1/B2)
Reported speech (mixed tenses) 3 (B1/B2)
Reported speech (commands) 1 (B1/B2)
Related tense exercises:
Simple past 1 (A2/B1)
Simple past 2 (A2/B1)
Simple past or present perfect? 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
Reported speech in the simple past is one of the most common patterns — build on it with these exercises.
More reported speech exercises:
Reported speech (mixed tenses) 1 (B1/B2)
Reported speech (mixed tenses) 2 (B1/B2)
Reported speech (mixed tenses) 3 (B1/B2)
Reported speech (commands) 1 (B1/B2)
Related tense exercises:
Simple past 1 (A2/B1)
Simple past 2 (A2/B1)
Simple past or present perfect? 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
