📖 Quick Grammar Reference: Reported Speech (Tense Backshift)
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present simple | Past simple | “I work here.” → She said she worked there. |
| Present continuous | Past continuous | “I am leaving.” → He said he was leaving. |
| Past simple | Past perfect | “I finished it.” → She said she had finished it. |
| Will | Would | “I will call.” → She said she would call. |
| Can | Could | “I can help.” → He said he could help. |
Exercise 1 — Fill in the Blank (Complete the reported speech sentence with the correct backshifted verb form.)
- “I work here.” → She said she (work) there.
- “I am leaving.” → He said he (leave).
- “I finished it.” → She said she (finish) it.
- “I have seen it.” → He said he (see) it.
- “I will call.” → She said she (call).
- “I can help.” → He said he (help).
- “Are you coming?” → She asked if I (come).
- “Where do you live?” → He asked where I (live).
- “Close the door.” → She told me (close) the door.
- “I must go.” → She said she (go).
Exercise 2 — True or False (Read each statement about reported speech rules and circle T (True) or F (False).)
-
In reported speech, tenses usually shift one step back in time.
T F
-
Tell can be used without a personal object, just like say.
T F
-
Reported questions keep the original question word order (inversion).
T F
-
We must always backshift the tense, even when the statement is a general truth.
T F
-
Today changes to that day in reported speech.
T F
Print version: write T or F on the line next to each statement.
Exercise 3 — Write Your Own Sentences (Report each piece of direct speech using correct backshift and reporting verbs.)
- Report what a friend said: "I am tired."
- Report a question someone asked you: "Where do you live?"
- Report a command: "Close the door!"
- Report what someone told you: "I will call you tomorrow."
- Report a general truth someone said: "Water boils at 100°C."
📋 Show Answer Key
Exercise 1
- worked
- was leaving
- had finished
- had seen
- would call
- could help
- was coming
- lived
- to close
- had to go
Exercise 2
- True — e.g. present simple → past simple
- False — tell always needs a personal object (tell me, tell him)
- False — reported questions use statement word order, no inversion
- False — backshift is optional for general truths (e.g. “water boils at 100°C”)
- True — along with yesterday → the day before, tomorrow → the next day, etc.
Exercise 3
Suggested answers: (1) She said (that) she was tired. (2) He/She asked where I lived. (3) She/He told me to close the door. (4) He/She said (that) he/she would call me the next day. (5) He/She said (that) water boils at 100°C (no backshift needed for a general truth).
Reported Speech Worksheet — FAQ
What does this reported speech worksheet cover?
This worksheet covers tense backshift in reported speech, the difference between say and tell, reported yes/no and wh-questions, and reported commands. It includes fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and sentence-writing exercises.
What level is this reported speech worksheet?
This worksheet is designed for B1 (Intermediate) and B2 (Upper-Intermediate) learners who are practising indirect speech and tense backshift.
What is tense backshift in reported speech?
Tense backshift means shifting the tense one step back into the past when reporting what someone said: present simple becomes past simple (I work here → she said she worked there), present continuous becomes past continuous, will becomes would, and can becomes could.
What is the difference between 'say' and 'tell'?
'Say' is used without a personal object, or with 'to + person': She said that she was tired. 'Tell' always requires a personal object immediately after it: She told me that she was tired.
How do I report questions in indirect speech?
For yes/no questions, use if or whether and statement word order: 'Are you coming?' becomes She asked if I was coming. For wh-questions, keep the question word and use statement word order: 'Where do you live?' becomes He asked where I lived.
Can I save this worksheet as a PDF?
Yes. Click the orange ‘Print / Save as PDF’ button at the top of the page. In your browser’s print dialogue, select ‘Save as PDF’ as the destination. The worksheet is formatted for A4 paper.
Is the answer key included?
Yes. Scroll to the bottom of the worksheet to find the collapsible answer key. Click ‘Show Answer Key’ to reveal all answers. If you want to print the answers too, open the key before clicking Print.
What online exercise goes with this worksheet?
The related online exercise is Complete the Sentence at lexfizz.com/exercises/complete-the-sentence/ — it provides immediate feedback for applying tense backshift and reporting verb rules.
Do I always have to backshift the tense in reported speech?
No. Backshift is not required when the statement is a general truth (She said water boils at 100 degrees), when the reporting verb is in the present, or when the speech was said very recently and is still relevant.
How long does this worksheet take to complete?
The three exercises take approximately 20–25 minutes for most B1–B2 learners. Allow extra time for the transformation task in Exercise 3, which requires converting direct speech into reported speech.