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Free Interactive Grammar

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Interactive Grammar: Reporting Present Tenses quiz

Report present simple and present continuous statements with correct backshift to past simple and past continuous.

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Grammar Explanation · Authentic Examples · Practice Questions

Lesson progressNot started
Duration
~42 min
Questions
28
Level
Intermediate

Overview

Present simple backshifts to past simple (He is tired → She said he was tired). Present continuous backshifts to past continuous (She is cooking → He said she was cooking). If reporting something still true at the time of reporting, backshift may be omitted.

Present Simple → Reported

  • Direct'I work in London,' she said.
  • ReportedShe said she worked in London.
  • Direct'He plays tennis every week.'
  • ReportedShe said he played tennis every week.

Present Continuous → Reported

  • Direct'I am studying medicine,' he said.
  • ReportedHe said he was studying medicine.
  • Direct'We are moving next month.'
  • ReportedShe said they were moving next month.

Permanent Truths — No Change

  • When reporting permanent facts, backshift is optional.
  • FactShe said the Sun rises in the east. ✓
  • FactHe said water boils at 100°C. ✓

When to use

Conversation

She said she was enjoying the course.

Emails

He confirmed he was working on the report.

News

The company said it was expanding operations.

Academic

The author argues that language shapes thought.

Reporting Present Tenses — Transform

Report each present tense statement.

Transform10 questionsB1 — Intermediate~15 min

1'I live in Paris,' she said. → → Reported speech

2'I am studying medicine,' he said. → → Reported speech

3'We work together,' they said. → → Reported speech

4'She is sleeping,' he said. → → Reported speech

5'I enjoy reading,' she said. → → Reported speech

6'They are building a new school,' he said. → → Reported speech

7'I don't understand,' she said. → → Reported speech

8'He works night shifts,' she said. → → Reported speech

9'The Earth orbits the Sun,' he said. → → Reported speech

10'We are moving next month,' she said. → → Reported speech

Progress0 of 10 answered

Reporting Present Tenses — Multiple Choice

Choose the correctly backshifted verb form.

Multiple Choice10 questionsB1 — Intermediate~15 min
1Direct: 'I am hungry.' She said she .
2Direct: 'We live nearby.' They said they .
3Direct: 'He is watching TV.' She said he .
4Direct: 'I don't like coffee.' He said he .
5Direct: 'They are travelling to Rome.' She said they .
6Direct: 'I study every evening.' He said he .
7Direct: 'She is training for a marathon.' He said she .
8Direct: 'The shop opens at nine.' (spoken as a general fact) She said the shop .
9Direct: 'We are learning French.' They said they .
10Direct: 'I feel great today.' She said she .
Progress0 of 10 answered

Reporting Present Tenses — Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the correctly backshifted verb form.

Fill in the Blanks8 questionsB1 — Intermediate~12 min
1Direct: 'I am tired.' → She said sheam → was.
2Direct: 'We work in London.' → They said theypresent simple → past simple.
3Direct: 'He is reading a novel.' → She said hepresent continuous → past continuous.
4Direct: 'I don't eat meat.' → He said hedon't → didn't.
5Direct: 'They are waiting outside.' → She said theypresent continuous → past continuous.
6Direct: 'I speak three languages.' → He said hepresent simple → past simple.
7Direct: 'The Earth is round.' (still true) → She said the Earthno backshift required.
8Direct: 'We are planning a trip.' → They said theypresent continuous → past continuous.
Progress0 of 8 answered

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this lesson on reporting Present Tenses cover?

Report present simple and present continuous statements with correct backshift to past simple and past continuous.

Which CEFR level is this lesson designed for?

This lesson is designed for Intermediate (B1) learners and forms part of the Direct and Indirect Speech section on Grammartier.

What is the best approach for studying reporting Present Tenses?

Start with the definition above, then work through the examples to see how reporting Present Tenses behaves in context. Since this is a Intermediate (B1) topic within direct and indirect speech, focus on using the structure accurately in context and noticing the mistakes learners typically make with it — this is the level where small errors start to matter for fluency. Finish with the quiz below to check what's actually sticking.

How does reporting Present Tenses relate to the rest of direct and indirect speech?

Reporting Present Tenses is one of the Intermediate–level topics grouped under Direct and Indirect Speech on Grammartier. Understanding it well makes the related lessons in the same category easier to follow — use the related-lessons links on this page to keep building on it once you've completed this quiz.

Your Grammar Learning Path

Follow the CEFR progression for this topic cluster.

  1. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Past Tenses quiz
  2. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Phone Conversations quiz
  3. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Present Tenses quizYou are here
  4. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Questions quiz
  5. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Questions Politely quiz
  6. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Requests quiz
  7. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Statements quiz

Before You Start

Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first.

Related Concepts

Deepen your grammar knowledge with these related B1 topics.

Continue Your Grammar Journey

Ready for the next step? These lessons build on what you've learned.

Avoid common mistakes: Common Mistakes in Reported Speech →See where this fits in the full roadmap →

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