B2 Advanced Syntax 10 min read Medium

Reported Speech in the Past (Ele disse que...)

When the main verb is in the past (disse, perguntou), move the reported verb one step back in time.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When reporting past speech, shift the original verb tense one step back into the past to maintain logical sequence.

  • Present becomes Imperfect: 'Eu como' -> Ele disse que comia.
  • Pretérito Perfeito becomes Pluperfect: 'Eu comi' -> Ele disse que tinha comido.
  • Future becomes Conditional: 'Eu comerei' -> Ele disse que comeria.
Speaker + Verb (dizer/falar) + que + [Shifted Tense Verb]

Overview

Reporting what someone else said, thought, or commanded is a fundamental aspect of communication. In Portuguese, this is known as discurso indireto (reported speech). When the act of reporting itself happened in the past, a systematic and crucial set of tense changes, often called backshift (recuo temporal), must occur.

This mechanism ensures temporal coherence, accurately reflecting that the original statement was made at a prior point in time relative to the reporting of it. For B2 learners, mastering reported speech in the past is vital for expressing complex narratives, conveying nuanced information, and participating in advanced discussions. It transitions your Portuguese from merely stating facts to truly engaging in storytelling and intricate communication, making your discourse sound natural and sophisticated.

How This Grammar Works

Reported speech with a past reporting verb operates on the principle of relative tense. When you say Ele disse que... (He said that...), you establish a past context for the reported information. Consequently, the original tenses of the speaker's words must adjust to maintain logical temporal sequencing from the perspective of the reporting moment.
The grammatical backshift is not merely an arbitrary rule; it's a linguistic mechanism to clarify that the reported event or state occurred before or simultaneously with the reporting verb, or was projected into a future relative to that past reporting moment.
The core of this transformation lies with the reporting verb (verbum dicendi). Verbs like dizer (to say), contar (to tell), perguntar (to ask), responder (to answer), explicar (to explain), afirmar (to affirm), pedir (to ask/request), and ordenar (to order), when conjugated in a past tense (Pretérito Perfeito, Pretérito Imperfeito, Pretérito Mais-que-Perfeito), trigger the backshift. The reported clause, introduced by que (that) for statements or se (if) or an interrogative pronoun for questions, then undergoes specific tense alterations.
This shift repositions the original statement's timeline correctly within the overarching past context established by the reporting verb. For instance, if someone said Eu vou (I go/am going) in the past, and you report it later, Ele disse que ia (He said he was going) correctly places the 'going' in a past relative to 'said'.

Formation Pattern

1
Mastering reported speech involves systematically transforming direct speech tenses into their corresponding indirect speech counterparts when the reporting verb is in the past. This section details the essential backshifts you must apply, presented with clear patterns and examples.
2
1. Presente do Indicativo → Pretérito Imperfeito do Indicativo
3
This is perhaps the most common backshift. An action or state occurring in the present at the time of direct speech becomes an ongoing or habitual action in the past when reported.
4
| Direct Speech (Presente) | Reported Speech (Pretérito Imperfeito) |
5
| :----------------------- | :------------------------------------- |
6
| Eu estou cansado. | Ele disse que estava cansado. |
7
| Nós moramos aqui. | Eles disseram que moravam lá. |
8
| Ela trabalha muito. | Ele comentou que ela trabalhava muito. |
9
Original: Ela gosta de café. (She likes coffee.)
10
Reported: Ele disse que ela gostava de café. (He said she liked coffee.)
11
Original: Nós somos estudantes. (We are students.)
12
Reported: Eles afirmaram que eram estudantes. (They affirmed they were students.)
13
2. Pretérito Perfeito Simples do Indicativo → Pretérito Mais-que-Perfeito Composto do Indicativo
14
When a completed action in the past is reported, it typically shifts to the Mais-que-Perfeito Composto, indicating an action completed before another past action (the reporting verb). While the Mais-que-Perfeito Simples (e.g., fizera) exists, the compound form (tinha feito) is overwhelmingly preferred and more natural in modern Portuguese, especially in spoken language.
15
| Direct Speech (Pretérito Perfeito) | Reported Speech (Pretérito Mais-que-Perfeito Composto) |
16
| :--------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------- |
17
| Eu comprei um carro. | Ele disse que tinha comprado um carro. |
18
| Nós fomos ao cinema. | Eles contaram que tinham ido ao cinema. |
19
| Ela comeu tudo. | Ele observou que ela tinha comido tudo. |
20
Original: Eu vi o filme ontem. (I saw the movie yesterday.)
21
Reported: Ela disse que tinha visto o filme no dia anterior. (She said she had seen the movie the day before.)
22
3. Futuro do Presente do Indicativo → Futuro do Pretérito do Indicativo (Condicional Simples)
23
An action planned or expected in the future at the time of direct speech becomes a conditional action when reported in the past. This is the standard backshift. In colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, you may hear Pretérito Imperfeito (ia + infinitivo) used in place of Futuro do Pretérito, but for B2 proficiency, the Futuro do Pretérito is the expected standard.
24
| Direct Speech (Futuro do Presente) | Reported Speech (Futuro do Pretérito) |
25
| :--------------------------------- | :------------------------------------ |
26
| Eu viajarei amanhã. | Ele disse que viajaria no dia seguinte. |
27
| Nós faremos o trabalho. | Eles prometeram que fariam o trabalho. |
28
| Ela comprará a casa. | Ele achava que ela compraria a casa. |
29
Original: Ligarei para você depois. (I will call you later.)
30
Reported: Ele disse que me ligaria depois. (He said he would call me later.)
31
4. Pretérito Imperfeito do Indicativo → Pretérito Imperfeito do Indicativo (No Change)
32
If the original statement was already in the Pretérito Imperfeito, it generally remains unchanged in reported speech. This is because the Imperfect already denotes an ongoing, habitual, or descriptive past action or state, which is compatible with the past context of the reporting verb.
33
Original: Eu estava lendo um livro. (I was reading a book.)
34
Reported: Ela disse que estava lendo um livro. (She said she was reading a book.)
35
Original: Nós íamos à praia todo verão. (We used to go to the beach every summer.)
36
Reported: Eles contaram que iam à praia todo verão. (They told us they used to go to the beach every summer.)
37
5. Presente Contínuo → Pretérito Imperfeito Contínuo
38
Similar to the Presente to Pretérito Imperfeito shift, the continuous form also reflects the temporal backshift.
39
Original: Estou trabalhando agora. (I am working now.)
40
Reported: Ele disse que estava trabalhando naquele momento. (He said he was working at that moment.)
41
6. Imperativo → Pretérito Imperfeito do Subjuntivo
42
To report commands, requests, or advice, the imperative mood shifts to the Pretérito Imperfeito do Subjuntivo, typically introduced by pedir para que or ordenar que.
43
| Direct Speech (Imperativo) | Reported Speech (Pretérito Imperfeito do Subjuntivo) |
44
| :------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------- |
45
| Venha aqui! | Ela pediu para que eu viesse ali. |
46
| Façam o trabalho! | O professor ordenou que fizessem o trabalho. |
47
Original: Estude mais! (Study more!)
48
Reported: Meus pais pediram para que eu estudasse mais. (My parents asked me to study more.)
49
7. Presente do Subjuntivo → Pretérito Imperfeito do Subjuntivo
50
If the direct speech contained a subjunctive clause expressing a wish, doubt, or suggestion, it will also backshift.
51
Original: Espero que ele venha. (I hope he comes.)
52
Reported: Ela disse que esperava que ele viesse. (She said she hoped he would come.)
53
8. Adverbial Changes
54
Beyond verb tenses, adverbs of time and place, as well as demonstrative pronouns, must also shift to reflect the new temporal and spatial reference point. These changes are crucial for accurate reporting.
55
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
56
| :--------------------- | :------------------------------- |
57
| agora (now) | naquele momento (at that moment) |
58
| hoje (today) | naquele dia (on that day) |
59
| ontem (yesterday) | no dia anterior (the day before) |
60
| amanhã (tomorrow) | no dia seguinte (the next day) |
61
| aqui (here) | lá/ali (there) |
62
| este (this) | aquele (that) |
63
Original: Vou viajar amanhã.
64
Reported: Ela disse que viajaria no dia seguinte.
65
Original: Deixei o livro aqui.
66
Reported: Ele contou que tinha deixado o livro ali.

When To Use It

Reported speech in the past is indispensable for conveying information that originated from another source, especially when the original utterance occurred before the moment of reporting. Its primary function is to recount, summarize, or attribute past statements, questions, or commands. Understanding its application expands your ability to narrate events and convey complex social interactions.
1. Recounting Conversations and Narratives:
This is the most common use. Any time you are telling a story that involves dialogue or someone's past comments, you will likely employ reported speech. It allows you to integrate quoted material seamlessly into your narrative without directly quoting.
  • A Maria me disse que tinha perdido a carteira. (Maria told me she had lost her wallet.)
  • O João perguntou se eu queria ir ao cinema com ele. (João asked if I wanted to go to the cinema with him.)
2. Conveying Information and Updates:
Whether in professional contexts, news reporting, or simply sharing updates, reported speech attributes information to its source while maintaining a consistent past tense narrative.
  • O gerente avisou que a reunião seria adiada. (The manager warned that the meeting would be postponed.)
  • A polícia informou que o suspeito estava foragido. (The police informed that the suspect was at large.)
3. Reporting Commands, Requests, and Advice:
Indirect commands allow you to state what someone asked or ordered, making your account more concise and integrated. The Pretérito Imperfeito do Subjuntivo is key here.
  • A minha mãe pediu para que eu arrumasse o meu quarto. (My mother asked me to tidy my room.)
  • O médico aconselhou que ele parasse de fumar. (The doctor advised him to stop smoking.)
4. Expressing Opinions, Beliefs, and Thoughts:
When someone's past thoughts or opinions are relevant, reported speech is the appropriate structure.
  • Eu achei que você tivesse dito que vinha. (I thought you had said you were coming.)
  • Ela acreditava que tudo ia dar certo. (She believed everything was going to be alright. - _Colloquial BP_)
  • Ele pensou que a solução estava perto. (He thought the solution was near.)
5. Nuance with Timeless Truths / Persistent States:
While the general rule is to backshift, there's a subtle nuance. If the reported statement refers to a universal truth or a state that is still true at the moment of reporting, Portuguese can sometimes (especially in informal contexts) keep the verb in the Presente. However, the standard B2 expectation is still to backshift, as Pretérito Imperfeito can also convey a persistent past state.
  • Ele disse que a Terra é redonda. (He said the Earth is round.) - Sometimes acceptable, but era is grammatically safer in formal contexts.
  • Ela mencionou que o Brasil é muito grande. (She mentioned Brazil is very big.) - Still true, so é might be used informally, but era is also correct and shows the backshift.
Important Reporting Verbs and Their Constructions:
  • Dizer que: Most general, for statements. (Ele disse que estava bem.)
  • Contar que: Similar to dizer, but often implies telling a story or providing details. (Ela contou que tinha viajado.)
  • Perguntar se/onde/quando: For questions. (Ele perguntou se eu vinha.)
  • Afirmar que: To assert. (Ele afirmou que era inocente.)
  • Avisar que: To warn or inform. (Ele avisou que choveria.)
  • Pedir para que (+ Subj.): For requests/commands. (Pediu para que eu esperasse.)
  • Ordenar que (+ Subj.): For orders. (Ordenou que saíssemos.)

Common Mistakes

Even at a B2 level, reported speech in the past presents several pitfalls. Recognizing and actively correcting these typical errors will significantly refine your Portuguese. These mistakes often stem from direct translation from English or an incomplete understanding of the backshift principle.
**1. Forgetting the Backshift (The

Tense Backshift Table

Original Tense Reported Tense Example
Present
Imperfect
Eu como -> Ele disse que comia
Pretérito Perfeito
Pluperfect
Eu comi -> Ele disse que tinha comido
Future
Conditional
Eu comerei -> Ele disse que comeria
Imperative
Subjunctive
Coma! -> Ele disse que eu comesse

Meanings

Reported speech is used to convey what someone else said without using their exact words. In Portuguese, this requires a 'backshift' of verb tenses to reflect the past perspective of the reporting verb.

1

Reporting Statements

Relaying information or opinions.

“Ele disse que ia viajar.”

“Ela afirmou que não sabia de nada.”

2

Reporting Questions

Turning direct questions into indirect ones.

“Ele perguntou se eu queria café.”

“Ela quis saber onde eu morava.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Reported Speech in the Past (Ele disse que...)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Disse que + Verb(Imperfect)
Disse que queria ir.
Negative
Disse que não + Verb(Imperfect)
Disse que não queria ir.
Yes/No Question
Perguntou se + Verb(Imperfect)
Perguntou se eu queria ir.
Open Question
Perguntou [Wh-word] + Verb(Imperfect)
Perguntou por que eu queria ir.
Future
Disse que + Verb(Conditional)
Disse que iria.
Past Perfect
Disse que + Verb(Pluperfect)
Disse que tinha ido.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ele afirmou que o relatório estava pronto.

Ele afirmou que o relatório estava pronto. (Work environment)

Neutral
Ele disse que o relatório estava pronto.

Ele disse que o relatório estava pronto. (Work environment)

Informal
Ele falou que o relatório tava pronto.

Ele falou que o relatório tava pronto. (Work environment)

Slang
Ele mandou que o relatório tava pronto.

Ele mandou que o relatório tava pronto. (Work environment)

Reported Speech Flow

Discurso Indireto

Tense Shift

  • Presente Present
  • Imperf. Imperfect
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Ele disse que estava feliz.

He said that he was happy.

2

Ela disse que queria água.

She said that she wanted water.

3

Eles disseram que iam sair.

They said they were going out.

4

Eu disse que não podia.

I said I couldn't.

1

Ele perguntou se eu gostava de pizza.

He asked if I liked pizza.

2

Ela disse que não tinha tempo.

She said she didn't have time.

3

Eles disseram que chegariam cedo.

They said they would arrive early.

4

Eu disse que já tinha comido.

I said I had already eaten.

1

O professor disse que a prova seria difícil.

The teacher said the test would be difficult.

2

Ela afirmou que não sabia onde ele estava.

She stated she didn't know where he was.

3

Eles perguntaram por que eu não tinha ido.

They asked why I hadn't gone.

4

Ele disse que me ligaria mais tarde.

He said he would call me later.

1

A empresa anunciou que os lucros tinham aumentado.

The company announced that profits had increased.

2

Ele declarou que não aceitaria o suborno.

He declared he would not accept the bribe.

3

Ela perguntou se eu tinha terminado o relatório.

She asked if I had finished the report.

4

Eles disseram que, se pudessem, viriam.

They said that if they could, they would come.

1

O autor escreveu que a história teria um fim trágico.

The author wrote that the story would have a tragic end.

2

Ela alegou que não tinha visto o suspeito.

She alleged she hadn't seen the suspect.

3

Eles insistiram que o plano funcionaria.

They insisted the plan would work.

4

O diplomata disse que as negociações continuariam.

The diplomat said negotiations would continue.

1

Ele sustentou que, àquela altura, a decisão já fora tomada.

He maintained that, by then, the decision had already been taken.

2

Ela ponderou que talvez não fosse a melhor opção.

She pondered that perhaps it wasn't the best option.

3

Eles argumentaram que, caso não houvesse acordo, haveria greve.

They argued that if there were no agreement, there would be a strike.

4

O historiador afirmou que o evento mudara o curso da nação.

The historian stated the event had changed the nation's course.

Easily Confused

Reported Speech in the Past (Ele disse que...) vs Direct vs Indirect

Mixing quotes with indirect structure.

Common Mistakes

✗

Ele disse que quer ir.

✓

Ele disse que queria ir.

Tense mismatch.
✗

Ele perguntou se onde eu moro.

✓

Ele perguntou onde eu morava.

Double conjunction.
✗

Ela disse que vai vir.

✓

Ela disse que viria.

Future to conditional shift missing.
✗

Ele disse que tinha ido ontem.

✓

Ele disse que fora ontem.

Pluperfect usage.

Sentence Patterns

Ele disse que ___ (verb).

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Ele disse que chegava em 5 min.

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

Watch the pronouns

Remember to change 'eu' to 'ele/ela'.

Smart Tips

Use the conditional.

Ele disse que vai. → Ele disse que iria.

Pronunciation

diz-se-ki

Intonation

The 'que' is usually unstressed.

Falling

Ele disse que... ↓

Finality in reporting.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Back to the past: If the speaker is in the past, the verb must also be in the past.

Visual Association

Imagine a time machine. When you report speech, you are pulling the verb back one lever into the past.

Rhyme

When the reporting verb is in the past, the tense shift is a must!

Story

Maria said she was hungry. (Present -> Imperfect). Then she said she had eaten. (Perfect -> Pluperfect). Finally, she said she would sleep. (Future -> Conditional).

Word Web

dissequeseperguntouafirmouqueriatinhairia

Challenge

For 5 minutes, report 5 things your friends said to you today.

Cultural Notes

In informal speech, 'tava' is used for 'estava'.

Derived from Latin indirect discourse structures.

Conversation Starters

“

O que seu amigo disse ontem?

Journal Prompts

Write about a conversation you had yesterday.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Change to reported speech.

Ele disse: 'Eu como'. -> Ele disse que ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: comia
Present to imperfect shift.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Change to reported speech.

Ele disse: 'Eu como'. -> Ele disse que ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: comia
Present to imperfect shift.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Shift the verb to Imperfect. Fill in the Blank

Ela disse: 'Eu **sou** médica.' → Ela disse que ___ médica.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: era
Shift the verb to Pluperfect. Fill in the Blank

Ele afirmou: 'Eu **termini** o relatório.' → Ele afirmou que ___ o relatório.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tinha terminado
Shift the verb to Conditional. Fill in the Blank

O governo anunciou: 'Os impostos **subirão**.' → O governo anunciou que os impostos ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: subiriam
Identify the correct Indirect Speech for a command. Multiple Choice

Direct: 'Não **coma** isso!'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela disse para que eu não comesse isso.
Which sentence correctly reports: 'Está chovendo'? Multiple Choice

João disse que...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: estava chovendo.
Fix the mistake in this report. Error Correction

Meu pai perguntou se eu quero carona.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Meu pai perguntou se eu queria carona.
Fix the tense in this report. Error Correction

A previsão disse que fará sol amanhã.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A previsão disse que faria sol amanhã.
Match the Direct Speech tense to its Indirect Speech equivalent. Match Pairs

Connect the pairs.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {"Futuro (farei)":"Condicional (faria)","Presente (fa\u00e7o)":"Imperfeito (fazia)","Imperativo (fa\u00e7a)":"Imp. Subjuntivo (fizesse)","Pret\u00e9rito Perfeito (fiz)":"Mais-que-perfeito (tinha feito)"}
Reorder words to form a reported sentence. Sentence Reorder

disse / que / ela / o / amava / filme

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela disse que amava o filme
Translate into Portuguese Reported Speech. Translation

He said he was hungry.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele disse que tinha fome.
Translate 'She asked where I was going.' Translation

Ela perguntou...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: onde eu ia.
Complete with the Pluperfect. Fill in the Blank

O réu jurou que não ___ o crime. (cometer)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tinha cometido

Score: /12

FAQ (1)

Yes, if the reporting verb is in the past.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Estilo indirecto

Minor verb ending differences.

French high

Discours indirect

French uses 'si' for yes/no questions.

German low

Konjunktiv I

German changes mood, not just tense.

Japanese low

To iu

No tense backshift.

Arabic low

Qala inna

Different sentence structure.

Chinese low

Shuo...

Tense is marked by aspect particles.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Indirect Speech: Present to Imperfect (He said he was...)
Next
Future in the Past: Reporting What Someone 'Would' Do (Iria)

Learn These First

B2 Requires

Indirect Speech (He said that...)

Overview Indirect speech, or `Discurso Indireto` in Portuguese, is a fundamental grammatical structure used to report wh...

Related Videos

Romance Languages: syntax of compound & passive sentences 6:40 YouTube

Romance Languages: syntax of compound & passive sentences

NativLang
Build Longer, Natural Portuguese Sentences (Here’s How!) 6:44 YouTube

Build Longer, Natural Portuguese Sentences (Here’s How!)

Mia Esmeriz Academy

Related Grammar Rules

C1

Omitting Repeated Words (Elipse & Zeugma)

Overview Ever caught yourself listening to a native Portuguese speaker and wondering where half the words went? It is no...
C2

Mastering Rhetorical Repetition (Repetição Retórica)

Overview Ever wondered why some Netflix monologues give you chills? Or why that one LinkedIn post went viral? It is not...
C1

Unreal Hypotheses: Dreams and Regrets (se eu fosse, eu faria)

Overview The **Unreal Hypotheses** in Portuguese, often encapsulated by the structure `se eu fosse, eu faria` (if I were...
B2

Future in the Past: Reporting What Someone 'Would' Do (Iria)

Overview Ever promised a friend you'd call them back, but then your phone died and you forgot? Or maybe you're recountin...
C2

Portuguese Literary Style & Advanced Syntax

Overview At the C2 level, your command of Portuguese transitions from functional communication to stylistic artistry. L...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!