Writing with Tenses / Direct & Indirect Speech
Common Tense Backshift
A past reporting verb often accompanies backshift when reporting from a later viewpoint. Present simple commonly becomes past simple; present continuous becomes past continuous; present perfect becomes past perfect.
Understand and use it
A past reporting verb often accompanies backshift when reporting from a later viewpoint. Present simple commonly becomes past simple; present continuous becomes past continuous; present perfect becomes past perfect.
Look closely
He said, "I work here." → He said he worked there.
He said, "I am working." → He said he was working.
He said, "I have finished." → He said he had finished.
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A quick check
A wrong answer is a chance to learn. Use the hint and try again.