Overview
Present perfect backshifts to past perfect in reported speech: 'I have finished' → She said she had finished. Past perfect stays as past perfect — it cannot backshift further. Example: 'I had already eaten' → He said he had already eaten.
Present Perfect → Past Perfect
- Direct'I have finished the report,' she said.
- ReportedShe said she had finished the report.
- Direct'They have never visited Paris.'
- ReportedHe said they had never visited Paris.
Past Perfect — No Change
- Past perfect does not backshift further — it stays past perfect.
- Direct'I had already left when he called.'
- ReportedShe said she had already left. ✓ (same)
Present Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
- Direct'I have been working all day,' he said.
- ReportedHe said he had been working all day.
When to use
Business
She confirmed she had completed all the tasks.
Academic
The researcher said she had published three papers.
Conversation
He said he had been waiting for over an hour.
News
Officials said they had investigated the incident.