When Backshifting Isn’t Needed
Learn the situations where a reported sentence keeps its original tense, and how the person reporting the speech decides whether backshifting is needed at all.
Not every tense moves
Some situations don’t call for the usual tense shift.
Backshifting is common in reported speech, but it is not required in every situation. The original tense can stay the same when the statement describes a general truth, is still true at the time of reporting, or when the reporting verb itself is in the present tense.
In “The Earth orbits the sun,” the teacher said., the reported version, The teacher said (that) the Earth orbits the sun., keeps orbits in the present tense, since this fact remains true regardless of when it is being reported.
This lesson covers the main situations where backshifting can be skipped, and how the person reporting the speech decides which tense fits best.
Before you begin
This is one of ten topics on reported speech.
This lesson focuses on the exceptions to backshifting specifically. Reported speech as a whole includes nine other topics, each covered in its own lesson.
If you would like an overview of reported speech in general, begin with the Reported Speech page.
The central idea
Both a shifted and an unshifted tense can be correct, depending on the situation.
Compare a backshifted version of a sentence with one that keeps its original tense.
01
Backshifted
She said she lived in Paris.
02
Not backshifted
She said she lives in Paris.
The useful question is: is this still true?
Both sentences are grammatically correct. The choice between them depends on whether she still lives in Paris at the time the sentence is being reported.
General truths and facts
Permanent facts stay in the present tense.
“Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius,” she explained. → She explained that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
A fact that is true regardless of when it is spoken does not need to shift into the past, since doing so could wrongly suggest the fact no longer holds.
Something still true or unchanged
A situation that hasn’t changed can keep its original tense.
Still true
She said she lives in Paris. (and still does)
No longer true, or uncertain
She said she lived in Paris. (at the time; may not still be true)
Backshifting here leaves open the possibility that the situation has since changed.
A present-tense reporting verb
If the reporting verb is not in the past, backshifting isn’t needed.
He says he is coming.
Backshifting is triggered by a past-tense reporting verb. When the reporting verb itself is in the present tense, as it often is in live conversation or text messages, the original tense of the retold clause stays exactly as it was.
Reporting immediately after
Speech reported right away often keeps its original tense.
“I’m on my way,” she just said. → She just said she is on her way.
When very little time has passed between the original statement and the retelling, the situation described is still current, so the tense often stays unshifted.
A judgment call, not just a rule
The person reporting the speech decides what is still true.
Backshifting is not a purely mechanical process applied the same way every time. The person retelling the speech judges whether the original statement still holds, and chooses the tense that reflects that judgment. Two people reporting the same original statement might reasonably choose different tenses, depending on what they believe is still true.
A useful decision guide
Ask whether the situation described is still current.
01
Is the original statement a permanent fact or general truth?
If so, the tense usually stays the same.
02
Is the situation described still true right now?
If so, backshifting is optional rather than required.
03
Is the reporting verb in the present tense?
If so, the retold clause usually keeps its original tense.
04
How much time has passed since the original statement?
Very little time passing often means the tense stays unshifted.
Common mistakes
Backshifting a fact, or skipping it for an outdated one, can both mislead a reader.
Backshifting a permanent fact can wrongly suggest it has changed.
Misleading: The teacher said water boiled at 100 degrees.
Clearer: The teacher said water boils at 100 degrees.
Keeping the present tense for something no longer true can be misleading.
Misleading: She said she works at that company. (she left last year)
Clearer: She said she worked at that company.
Backshifting is not needed after a present-tense reporting verb.
Unnecessary: He says he was coming.
Standard: He says he is coming.
Check your understanding
Would backshifting typically be used in each case?
Choose the correct answer for each scenario.
“The sun rises in the east,” the guide said.
✅ Exactly! This is a permanent fact, so the present tense stays.
❎ Not quite. Is this fact still true today?
Does this fact ever change?
“I’m on my way,” she texted a moment ago.
✅ Exactly! Very little time has passed, so the situation is still current.
❎ Not quite. How much time has passed since this was said?
Is this being reported right away?
“I lived in that house as a child,” he mentioned last year.
✅ Exactly! This describes a completed period in the past, so backshifting fits here.
❎ Not quite. Is this describing his current situation, or something from his past?
Is this something ongoing, or something clearly finished?
Choose the best explanation
Select the sentence that explains the choice correctly.
Why might “The teacher said water boiled at 100 degrees.” be considered misleading?
✅ Exactly! Keeping the present tense avoids this unintended implication.
❎ Not quite. Think about what the past tense might unintentionally suggest here.
Why is “He says he was coming.” unnecessary here?
✅ Exactly! Backshifting is triggered by a past-tense reporting verb, which is not the case here.
❎ Not quite. Look at the tense of the reporting verb itself.
Quick review
Backshifting reflects what is true now, not just what tense the original used.
General truths and permanent facts usually stay in the present tense.
A situation that is still true at the time of reporting can also keep its original tense.
A present-tense reporting verb does not trigger backshifting at all.
Speech reported right away often keeps its original tense, since little time has passed.
Choosing whether to backshift is a judgment about what is still current, not a fixed, automatic rule.
Remember
Ask what is still true, not just what tense was originally used.
Backshifting exists to keep a sentence accurate. When the original statement remains true, or the reporting verb is in the present tense, holding the original tense in place is often the more accurate choice.