Reported Speech — Backshift

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

People who have reached major professional breakthroughs often describe the early years in strikingly similar terms. They say they had no clear map, only a direction. They tell interviewers that they motivated themselves by imagining the specific moment of arrival.

Grammar Reference · Reported Speech — Backshift

Said that — backshift

She said she wanted a better role. — present → past in reported speech

Told me that —

He told me he had set his sights on management. — pronoun I → he; will → would

Present perfect →

She said she had worked there for five years. — has worked → had worked

Common error

He said he is motivated. ✗ → He said he was motivated. ✓ — always backshift after said

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Reported Speech — Backshift

1.He said he a strong belief in his own ability to succeed.

2.She told me she her sights on a senior role two years earlier.

3.The coach said that drive and ambition two very different things.

4.He told the journalist that he motivated by early failure, not by praise.

5.She said she pursuing a goal, not escaping a fear.

6.The researcher said that competitive environments often a lasting impact on ambition.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1."I want to set my sights on a leadership role," she said.

2."I have worked hard for this breakthrough," he told me.

3."I am motivated by the challenge," she said.

4."We have pursued this aspiration for five years," they said.

5."I feel competitive in every meeting," he told me.

6."The drive to succeed comes from inside," the coach said.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

Reported Speech — Backshift01EnglishPlans.com