Backshifting of tenses, or 时态的倒退, is a crucial concept in English grammar, particularly when converting direct speech (直接引语) into reported speech (间接引语). This article will explain the rules, provide examples, and highlight exceptions to help you master this important topic.
What Is Backshifting of Tenses?
Backshifting occurs when the tense of a verb in direct speech is "shifted" back in time when reporting the speech indirectly. This typically happens when the reporting verb (e.g., "said," "told") is in the past tense. The shift reflects the change in perspective as the speaker reports what was said.
The Basic Rules
When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tenses in the direct speech are shifted back as follows:
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Present Simple: "I am tired." | Past Simple: He said he was tired. |
| Present Continuous: "I am working." | Past Continuous: He said he was working. |
| Present Perfect: "I have seen it." | Past Perfect: He said he had seen it. |
| Past Simple: "I ate lunch." | Past Perfect: He said he had eaten lunch. |
| Past Continuous: "I was sleeping." | Past Perfect Continuous: He said he had been sleeping. |
| Will: "I will go." | Would: He said he would go. |
Examples of Backshifting
1. From Present to Past
- Direct Speech: "I like pizza," she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that she liked pizza.
2. From Present Perfect to Past Perfect
- Direct Speech: "I have finished my homework," he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he had finished his homework.
3. From Future to Conditional
- Direct Speech: "I will call you tomorrow," she said.
- Reported Speech: She said that she would call me the next day.
4. From Past Simple to Past Perfect
- Direct Speech: "I visited Paris last year," he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he had visited Paris the previous year.
When Backshifting Is NOT Required
-
If the Reporting Verb Is in the Present or Future
- Direct Speech: "I like ice cream," he says.
- Reported Speech: He says that he likes ice cream.
-
If the Statement Is a Timeless Fact
- Direct Speech: "The earth revolves around the sun," the teacher said.
- Reported Speech: The teacher said that the earth revolves around the sun. (Facts do not change over time, so backshifting is unnecessary.)
-
When the Situation Has Not Changed
- Direct Speech: "I am living in New York," he said.
- Reported Speech: He said that he is living in New York.
(If he is still living in New York, you can choose not to backshift.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Forgetting to Adjust Time Expressions
When backshifting, time expressions in the direct speech often need to change to fit the perspective of the reported speech.
- Direct Speech: "I will go tomorrow."
- Reported Speech: She said that she would go the next day.
2. Backshifting When Not Needed
Sometimes, learners mistakenly backshift even when it’s unnecessary, such as for universal truths or when the reporting verb is in the present tense.
Practice Sentences
Try converting these sentences from direct speech to reported speech:
- "I am reading a book," he said.
- "We have completed the project," they said.
- "I will travel to Japan next month," she said.
- "She was watching TV," he said.
Answers
- He said that he was reading a book.
- They said that they had completed the project.
- She said that she would travel to Japan the following month.
- He said that she had been watching TV.
Conclusion
Backshifting of tenses is an essential skill for using reported speech correctly. The key is to understand the relationship between the reporting verb and the tense in the original speech. With practice, these transformations will become second nature, allowing us to confidently and accurately report what others have said.
Happy learning! 😊
