Reportar lo que la gente dijo (Cambio de Tiempos)
smooth y natural.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When reporting past speech, move the verb one step into the past to show the time gap.
- Move present tenses to past tenses: 'I am' becomes 'He said he was'.
- Change pronouns to match the new speaker: 'I like' becomes 'She said she liked'.
- Shift time words: 'today' becomes 'that day' and 'here' becomes 'there'.
Overview
reported speech o indirect speech, es una pieza fundamental para comunicarnos con fluidez. Imagínate que estás en un café con amigos y alguien te cuenta un chisme o una noticia importante; luego, se lo cuentas a otra persona. Ese proceso de re-contar es el reported speech.said o told) está en pasado, los verbos dentro de la frase reportada deben retroceder un paso en el tiempo. A esto lo llamamos tense backshift (desplazamiento temporal).estoy cansado, podemos decir él dijo que está cansadoo
él dijo que estaba cansado. Ambas suenan naturales.
said, la gramática estándar exige casi obligatoriamente el backshift: He said he was tired. Si mantienes el presente (He said he is tired), suena como si el hecho fuera una verdad absoluta o algo que sigue siendo cierto en este preciso instante. Esta distinción es vital para que tu narración sea coherente.tense backshift funciona bajo la lógica de que el tiempo es relativo al momento en que hablas. Cuando usas un reporting verb como said (dijo), told (contó) o asked (preguntó), estás situando el acto de hablar en el pasado. Por lo tanto, todo lo que esa persona dijo en ese momento debe moverse hacia atrás en la línea del tiempo para ajustarse a esa perspectiva pasada.Present Simple, al reportarla, el verbo baja un escalón hacia el Past Simple. Si la acción original ya estaba en Past Simple, baja otro escalón hacia el Past Perfect. Esto no significa que la acción ocurriera hace más tiempo, sino que estás marcando una distancia narrativa.I am hungry (estoy hambriento), y se lo cuentas a alguien más, el verbo am debe convertirse en was porque el momento en que él tenía hambre ya pasó. Si dijeras He said he is hungry, gramaticalmente estás sugiriendo que él todavía tiene hambre ahora mismo. Al cambiar a was, el oyente entiende perfectamente que la referencia es al momento en que tu amigo habló.I have finished my homework (he terminado mi tarea), al reportarlo usamos had finished (había terminado). ¿Ves la lógica?Present Perfect se convierte en Past Perfect. Es una forma de organizar los eventos en tu cabeza para que tu interlocutor no se pierda en la línea temporal de tu historia. No es solo gramática, es claridad narrativa.reporting verb está en pasado, el verbo de la oración subordinada retrocede un tiempo. Aquí tienes una tabla comparativa para que veas el patrón claramente:Present Simple | Past Simple | I live here. | He said he lived there. |Present Continuous | Past Continuous | I am working. | He said he was working. |Present Perfect | Past Perfect | I have seen it. | He said he had seen it. |Past Simple | Past Perfect | I bought a car. | He said he had bought a car. |will | would | I will go. | He said he would go. |can | could | I can dance. | He said he could dance. |la Tierra es redonda), no es necesario hacer el
backshift. Dirías: The teacher said the Earth is round.reporting verb está en presente (He says...), no se hace ningún cambio en los tiempos verbales.tense backshift principalmente en contextos narrativos, ya sea al contar historias, reportar noticias o dar actualizaciones sobre conversaciones previas. Es fundamental cuando quieres ser preciso sobre la cronología de los hechos. Imagínate que estás en una entrevista de trabajo y te preguntan qué dijo tu anterior jefe sobre tus habilidades.He said I was a great team player, estás siendo profesional y gramaticalmente correcto. Si dijeras He said I am a great team player, aunque se entiende, suena un poco menos natural en un contexto de reporte.I am single (estoy soltero) hace seis meses, pero ahora está casado, reportarlo como He said he was single es la forma correcta de reflejar que esa afirmación era válida en ese momento del pasado, sin afirmar que siga siendo cierta hoy. Es una herramienta de protección para el hablante: reportas lo que se dijo, no necesariamente la realidad actual.- 1El error del
Presente por inercia: Muchos estudiantes hispanohablantes dicen:She said that she
. Esto ocurre porque en español decimosishappyElla dijo que
. Como en español no forzamos el cambio de tiempo, nuestra mente L1 nos traiciona. Recuerda: en inglés, si el verbo principal es pasado (estáfelizsaid), el siguiente debe ser pasado (was).
- 1Confundir
sayytell: Es muy común decirHe
osaidme that...He
. La regla es:toldthat...toldnecesita un objeto (una persona), comotold me,told her.Saidno lleva objeto directo de persona inmediatamente después (se usasaid to me). La interferencia viene de que en español usamosdijopara ambos casos sin cambiar la estructura.
- 1No cambiar los pronombres y adverbios: A veces, al hacer el
backshiftdel verbo, olvidamos ajustar el resto de la frase. Si alguien diceI will go
, lo correcto estodayHe said he would go
. Olvidar cambiarthat daytodayporthat dayohereportherees un error típico de traducción literal que rompe la magia delreported speech.
reported speech con el direct speech o con el uso de reporting verbs en presente.Direct Speech | Reported Speech |«...») | No |backshift) |I am tired. | He said he was tired. |direct speech citamos textualmente, mientras que en el reported speech adaptamos la frase a nuestra propia voz y momento temporal.- 1¿Siempre debo hacer el
backshift? No siempre. Si el hecho sigue siendo cierto ahora o es una verdad universal, puedes mantener el presente. Pero si quieres sonar más formal o narrativo, elbackshiftes siempre la opción más segura.
- 1¿Qué pasa si el verbo original ya está en
Past Perfect? ElPast Perfectya es el tiempo más alejado, así que no cambia. Se queda igual. Es eltechode la línea temporal.
- 1¿Es obligatorio usar
that? No, elthates opcional. Puedes decirShe said she was tired
oShe said
. Ambas son correctas, pero en el habla cotidiana solemos omitirlo para sonar más fluidos.thatshe was tired
Tense Backshift Mapping
| Direct Speech Tense | Reported Speech Tense | Direct Example | Reported Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
Past Simple
|
I work
|
He said he worked
|
|
Present Continuous
|
Past Continuous
|
I am working
|
He said he was working
|
|
Past Simple
|
Past Perfect
|
I worked
|
He said he had worked
|
|
Present Perfect
|
Past Perfect
|
I have worked
|
He said he had worked
|
|
Will
|
Would
|
I will work
|
He said he would work
|
|
Can
|
Could
|
I can work
|
He said he could work
|
|
Am/Is/Are going to
|
Was/Were going to
|
I am going to work
|
He said he was going to work
|
Common Contractions in Reported Speech
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
He said he had
|
He said he'd
|
He said he'd finished.
|
|
She said she would
|
She said she'd
|
She said she'd help.
|
|
They said they were
|
They said they're (rare)
|
Usually kept as 'they were'.
|
Meanings
Reported speech is used to communicate what someone else said without using their exact words. We usually change the tense of the original verb to a past form because the speaking event happened in the past.
Reporting Statements
Relaying factual information or opinions shared by others using reporting verbs like 'say' or 'tell'.
“She said that she had already finished the report.”
“They told us they were planning a surprise party.”
Reporting Questions
Relaying questions using 'ask', 'wonder', or 'want to know', often using 'if' or 'whether' for yes/no questions.
“He asked if I knew the way to the station.”
“She wondered where I had bought my shoes.”
Reporting Commands and Requests
Using an infinitive structure (to + verb) to report what someone told or asked someone to do.
“The doctor told me to drink more water.”
“She asked him not to smoke in the house.”
Reference Table
| Tiempo Verbal Directo | Tiempo Verbal Reportado | Ejemplo (Directo) | Ejemplo (Reportado) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
Past Simple
|
I *like* pizza.
|
She said `she liked` pizza.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
Past Continuous
|
I *am working*.
|
He said `he was working`.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
Past Perfect
|
I *have finished*.
|
They said `they had finished`.
|
|
Past Simple
|
Past Perfect
|
I *went* home.
|
He explained `he had gone` home.
|
|
Past Continuous
|
Past Perfect Continuous
|
I *was reading*.
|
She mentioned `she had been reading`.
|
|
Will
|
Would
|
I *will help*.
|
He promised `he would help`.
|
|
Can
|
Could
|
I *can swim*.
|
She said `she could swim`.
|
|
May
|
Might
|
It *may rain*.
|
They thought `it might rain`.
|
|
Must (obligation)
|
Had to
|
I *must go*.
|
He stated `he had to go`.
|
Espectro de formalidad
The employee stated that the assignment had been completed. (Workplace)
He said that he had finished the work. (Workplace)
He said he was done. (Workplace)
He was like, 'I'm finished.' (Workplace)
Idea Principal del Tense Backshift
Verbo que Reporta (Pasado)
- said dijo
- told contó
- asked preguntó
Cambio de Tiempo Verbal
- Present -> Past Presente -> Pasado
- Past -> Past Perfect Pasado -> Pluscuamperfecto
Excepciones
- Timeless Truths Verdades universales
- Present Reporting Reporte en presente
Cambios de Tiempo: Directo vs. Indirecto
¿Debo Hacer 'Backshift'?
¿El verbo que reporta está en pasado (ej. 'said', 'told')?
¿Es la afirmación original una verdad universal o algo que sigue siendo verdad ahora?
Tiempos Verbales que Cambian
Formas Simples
- • Present Simple -> Past Simple
- • Past Simple -> Past Perfect
Formas Continuas
- • Present Continuous -> Past Continuous
- • Past Continuous -> Past Perfect Continuous
Formas Perfectas
- • Present Perfect -> Past Perfect
Modales
- • Will -> Would
- • Can -> Could
- • May -> Might
- • Must -> Had to
Ejemplos por nivel
He said, 'I am a student.'
He said he is a student.
She said, 'I like apples.'
She said she likes apples.
They said, 'We are cold.'
They said they are cold.
I said, 'I am hungry.'
I said I was hungry.
He said he liked the movie.
He said he liked the movie.
She told me she was busy.
She told me she was busy.
They said they lived in London.
They said they lived in London.
He asked if I wanted coffee.
He asked if I wanted coffee.
She said she had already seen that film.
She said she had already seen that film.
He asked where I had been the day before.
He asked where I had been the day before.
They told us they would arrive at 8 PM.
They told us they would arrive at 8 PM.
The boss asked if I could finish the report.
The boss asked if I could finish the report.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
She suggested going to the park.
She suggested going to the park.
It was reported that the company was closing.
It was reported that the company was closing.
He asked what I would have done in his position.
He asked what I would have done in his position.
The witness alleged that the suspect had been fleeing the scene.
The witness alleged that the suspect had been fleeing the scene.
She questioned whether the results were truly representative.
She questioned whether the results were truly representative.
He conceded that the project had been more difficult than anticipated.
He conceded that the project had been more difficult than anticipated.
The article contended that the policy was fundamentally flawed.
The article contended that the policy was fundamentally flawed.
The philosopher postulated that existence preceded essence.
The philosopher postulated that existence preceded essence.
He recounted how he had been wandering the streets for hours.
He recounted how he had been wandering the streets for hours.
The diplomat underscored that a resolution must be reached immediately.
The diplomat underscored that a resolution must be reached immediately.
She lamented that the golden age of cinema had long since passed.
She lamented that the golden age of cinema had long since passed.
Fácil de confundir
Learners often use 'say' with a person or 'tell' without one.
Learners keep the question word order (Verb-Subject) instead of switching to statement order (Subject-Verb).
Learners aren't sure if they *must* backshift if the fact is still true.
Errores comunes
He said I am happy.
He said he was happy.
She said me she is tired.
She told me she was tired.
He said that he like pizza.
He said that he liked pizza.
They said they are here.
They said they were there.
He asked me where was the bank.
He asked me where the bank was.
She asked if I have seen the movie.
She asked if I had seen the movie.
He told to me to go.
He told me to go.
He said he will come tomorrow.
He said he would come the next day.
She asked me what did I do.
She asked me what I had done.
He said he had went there.
He said he had gone there.
He suggested me to go.
He suggested that I should go / He suggested going.
Patrones de oraciones
He said that he ___ (past verb) ___.
She asked me if I ___ (past verb) ___.
They told us not to ___ (verb) ___.
It is widely believed that ___ (subject + verb) ___.
Real World Usage
He said the deadline had been moved to Friday.
She said she's gonna be late.
The police reported that the road was closed.
Did you hear? He said he was quitting!
Smith (2020) argued that the data was inconclusive.
The witness claimed she had never seen the man before.
Piensa 'Un Paso Atrás'
Present becomes past, past becomes past perfect.
¡No Retrocedas Demasiado!
The Earth is round.o
He says she is busy.Practica con Tu Día a Día
My friend told me she was going to the gym. Esta práctica real hace que se te quede grabado.Flexibilidad Informal
She said she is coming (en una conversación muy casual, si va a venir pronto).Smart Tips
Immediately think: 'No do/does/did' and 'Switch the order'.
Change 'will' to 'would' every single time.
Check if there is a person (me, you, her) after the verb. Person = Tell. No person = Say.
Shift the time! 'Yesterday' -> 'the day before', 'Tomorrow' -> 'the next day'.
Pronunciación
The 'that' reduction
In reported speech, the word 'that' is often unstressed and pronounced as a schwa /ðət/.
Intonation in reported questions
Unlike direct questions, reported questions have a falling intonation at the end because they are statements.
Reporting Statement
She said she was ↘ hungry.
Conveys a completed piece of information.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
The 'Backstep' Rule: If the reporting verb is in the past, the message takes a step back in time.
Asociación visual
Imagine a timeline. When you report someone's words, you physically pick up the verb and move it one square to the left (the past).
Rhyme
When 'said' is the word you use, the present tense you're bound to lose.
Story
A spy overhears a secret: 'I am meeting the contact tomorrow.' He runs to his boss and reports: 'He said he was meeting the contact the next day.' The spy must change the time and tense so the boss doesn't go to the wrong place at the wrong time.
Word Web
Desafío
Look at your last 3 text messages. Rewrite them as if you were telling a friend what those people said using 'He/She said that...'.
Notas culturales
In the UK, 'shall' in direct speech ('Shall we go?') often shifts to 'should' in reported speech ('He asked if we should go').
Americans frequently use 'like' as a reporting verb in very informal speech ('He was like, "No way!"'). This is common among younger generations.
Journalists use 'allegedly' or reporting verbs like 'claimed' to avoid legal trouble when reporting something that isn't proven yet.
Reported speech structures have existed since Old English, though the strict 'backshift' rules became more formalized as the English tense system became more complex during the Middle English period.
Inicios de conversación
What did your boss or teacher tell you to do yesterday?
Tell me about a secret someone told you recently (without names!).
What is the most interesting thing you heard on the news today?
If you could report a conversation between two famous people, who would they be?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
She said she ___ busy yesterday.
I am busy. El presente simple 'am' cambia a pasado simple 'was'.Find and fix the mistake:
He told me he `go` to the concert.
I go to the concert. El presente simple 'go' cambia a pasado simple 'went' al reportar en pasado.Elige la oración correcta:
The meeting is postponed. El presente simple cambia a pasado simple.Traduce al inglés: 'Ella dijo que había terminado su tarea.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
I have finished my homework(presente perfecto) cambia a pasado perfecto
she had finished her homeworkcuando se reporta en pasado.
Score: /4
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesDirect: 'I am living in London.'
Direct: 'I have lost my keys.' -> She said she ___ her keys.
Find and fix the mistake:
He asked me where did I live.
Direct: 'I will call you tomorrow.'
1. 'I can swim' 2. 'I am swimming' 3. 'I swam'
She told that she was coming.
A: 'Are you coming?' B: 'What did he ask?' C: 'He asked ___.'
Select the correct one.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesThey explained that they ___ to Paris last year.
He swore he `will` keep my secret.
Elige la oración correcta:
Traduce al inglés: 'Él preguntó dónde vivía yo.'
Ordena estas palabras para formar una oración:
Empareja los tiempos verbales:
The coach emphasized that they ___ to practice harder.
She informed me that her brother `can` speak French.
Elige la oración correcta:
Traduce al inglés: 'Ella dijo: "Puedo ayudarte".'
Ordena estas palabras para formar una oración:
Empareja los modales:
I heard she ___ sick last week.
Score: /13
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
Not always. If the statement is still true (e.g., 'The capital of France is Paris'), you can keep it in the present. However, backshifting is always correct and safer in exams.
'Must' usually changes to 'had to' in reported speech. For example, 'I must go' becomes 'He said he had to go'.
Only if you use 'to'. You can say 'He said to me that...', but it is much more common to say 'He told me that...'.
Use the question word, then the subject, then the verb. 'Where is he?' becomes 'She asked where he was'.
'This' usually becomes 'that', and 'these' becomes 'those'. For example, 'I like this book' becomes 'He said he liked that book'.
No, it is optional. 'He said he was tired' and 'He said that he was tired' are both correct, but the version without 'that' is more common in speaking.
If the reporting verb is in the present, you do NOT backshift. 'He says he is hungry' stays in the present.
Use 'tell' + person + 'to' + verb. 'Sit down!' becomes 'He told me to sit down'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estilo indirecto
Spanish often uses the subjunctive mood for reported commands, whereas English uses the infinitive.
Le discours indirect
French tense harmony is often stricter in formal writing than English.
Indirekte Rede (Konjunktiv I)
English uses past tenses for reporting; German uses a special verb form.
引用 (In'yō)
No tense changes occur in Japanese reported speech.
الكلام المنقول (al-kalam al-manqul)
Tense consistency is based more on the time of the event than a grammatical rule.
间接引语 (Jiànjiē yǐnyǔ)
Verbs never change form in Chinese reported speech.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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