Reported speech — "backshifting"
19.09.2008
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In reported (indirect) speech, the tense is usually “backshifted” — the verb is placed one step back in the past:
Deborah said, “I believe you.”
Deborah said (that) she believed me.
Rupert said, “Linda’s on the phone.”
Rupert told me (that) Linda was on the phone.
He added, “She’s been on the phone for hours.”
He added that she had been on the phone for hours.
Harry said, “I’m going down the hall.”
Harry said (that) he was going down the hall.
Violet said, “I phoned her last night.”
Violet said (that) she had phoned her the night before.
Max said, “I will be late.”
Max said (that) he would be late.
