Overview
The most frequent tense error in reported speech is failing to backshift: 'She said she is tired' should be 'She said she was tired'. Other errors include not backshifting modals (can → could, will → would, may → might), and incorrectly treating scientific facts as requiring backshift.
Tense Error Types
- No backshift❌ She said she is coming. ✅ She said she was coming.
- Wrong shift❌ He said he has gone. ✅ He said he had gone.
- Over-shift❌ She said water boiled at 100°C. ✅ water boils. (fact)
Correct Backshift Reference
- am/is →was
- have →had
- went →had gone
- will →would
- can →could
Tips to Avoid Tense Errors
- 1. Identify the original tense.
- 2. Apply the backshift rule — one step back.
- 3. Check: is this a fact or general truth? If yes, no backshift needed.
- 4. Check: is the reporting verb in the present (say, says)? If yes, no backshift needed.
When to use
Exam writing
She said she had finished (NOT has finished) the project.
Grammar class
He said he was going (NOT is going) to the library.
Proofreading
They confirmed that the order had been dispatched.
Speaking
She told me she couldn't (NOT can't) attend.