Relatar o que as pessoas disseram (Mudança de Tempo Verbal)
tense backshift deixa sua reported speech super clara e natural, organizando bem as linhas do tempo das conversas.
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 ou indirect speech, é uma das habilidades mais importantes para quem quer soar natural em inglês. Sabe quando você quer contar para um amigo no WhatsApp ou em uma conversa no trabalho o que alguém te disse anteriormente? É exatamente aí que entra o reported speech.tense backshift (o famoso recuo dos tempos verbais) que é obrigatória quando o verbo que introduz a fala está no passado.Eu estou com fomee você relata isso depois, o inglês exige que você ajuste o tempo verbal para mostrar que aquela fala aconteceu em um momento anterior ao seu relato.
reported speech com o nosso uso de discurso indireto em português é o caminho para entender por que o tense backshift é o 'segredo' para a fluência.tense backshift funciona como um ajuste de foco. Quando você usa um reporting verb no passado, como said (disse) ou told (contou), você está sinalizando para o seu ouvinte: Ei, o que vou falar agora aconteceu antes de agora. Por isso, o verbo da oração subordinada (o conteúdo da fala) precisa 'retroceder' um passo no tempo.
Eu trabalho muito, a gente relata como Ele disse que trabalha muito(mantendo o presente) ou
Ele disse que trabalhava muito(usando o pretérito imperfeito). O inglês é muito mais sistemático.
present simple, ele obrigatoriamente vira past simple. Se está no present continuous, vira past continuous. A lógica por trás disso é manter a consistência temporal.He said he is working, gramaticalmente soa como se ele estivesse trabalhando agora, enquanto você fala. Ao usar
He said he was working, você coloca a ação no lugar correto da linha do tempo, ou seja, no passado. É uma questão de lógica narrativa.
tense backshift não muda o fato, ele apenas situa o fato no passado em relação ao momento em que você está conversando. É um exercício de precisão que, uma vez internalizado, deixa seu inglês muito mais elegante e profissional.reporting verb) está no passado, o verbo da frase citada volta um tempo. Veja a tabela abaixo para entender como cada tempo verbal se transforma: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 eaten. | She said she had eaten. |Past Simple | Past Perfect | I bought a car. | He said he had bought a car. |Will | Would | I will go. | She said she would go. |Can | Could | I can swim. | He said he could swim. |Must | Had to | I must go. | She said she had to go. |Past Perfect (had + participle) é o 'ponto final' do retrocesso. Se a frase já estiver no Past Perfect, ela permanece igual, pois não há um tempo mais passado que ele.tense backshift sempre que estiver contando algo que alguém disse em um momento anterior. Isso é essencial em situações cotidianas, como:- 1Relatos de trabalho:
My boss said the meeting
(O chefe disse que a reunião foi cancelada). Mesmo que a reunião tenha sido cancelada hoje cedo, se você está relatando agora, o verbo deve estar no passado.wascancelled. - 2Conversas informais:
My friend told me she
(Minha amiga me contou que estava se mudando). Owasmoving to another city.was movingindica que, no momento em que ela me contou, a ação estava acontecendo. - 3Resumos de eventos:
He said he
(Ele disse que já tinha terminado o projeto). O uso dohad already finishedthe project.past perfectmostra que o término do projeto aconteceu antes da fala dele.
backshift, o ouvinte pode ficar confuso sobre quando as coisas aconteceram.- 1O erro de manter o presente:
She said she is tired.
O brasileiro costuma fazer isso porque, em português,Ela disse que está cansada
soa natural. O erro acontece porque a gente transfere a estrutura do português para o inglês. Em inglês, se o verbo ésaid, o próximo tem que ser passado:She said she
wastired. - 2O erro de não mudar o modal:
He said he can help me.
O brasileiro tende a esquecer de mudar o modal. O correto éHe said he
. Ocouldhelp mecanviracouldporque ocouldé a forma passada docan. - 3Uso excessivo de 'told' vs 'said': Muita gente confunde os dois. Lembre-se:
toldprecisa de um objeto (told *me*, told *him*), enquantosaidnão precisa (saidthat...). Errar isso é comum porque em português a gente usadisse para mimeme contoude forma muito parecida, mas a sintaxe inglesa é mais restrita.
reported speech com o direct speech. Veja a diferença:I am tired. | He said that he was tired. |that é opcional. Você pode dizer She said she was tiredou
She said that she was tired. Ambas estão corretas e são muito comuns.
The teacher said the Earth is round, você pode manter no presente. É uma exceção, pois a verdade não muda com o tempo.
will sempre vira would no reported speech. É uma mudança obrigatória para indicar que a intenção futura foi expressa no passado.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
| Tempo Verbal Direto | Tempo Verbal Indireto | Exemplo (Direto) | Exemplo (Indireto) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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 formalidade
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)
Ideia Central do Tense Backshift
Verbo de Relato (Passado)
- said disse
- told contou
- asked perguntou
Tense Backshift
- Present -> Past Presente -> Passado
- Past -> Past Perfect Passado -> Pretérito Perfeito Composto
Exceções
- Timeless Truths Verdades Universais
- Present Reporting Relato no Presente
Mudanças de Tempo Verbal: Direto vs. Indireto
Devo Usar o Backshift?
O verbo que introduz a fala está no passado (ex: 'said', 'told')?
A frase original é uma verdade universal ou algo que ainda é verdadeiro agora?
Tempos Verbais Que Usam Backshift
Formas Simples
- • Present Simple -> Past Simple
- • Past Simple -> Past Perfect
Formas Contínuas
- • Present Continuous -> Past Continuous
- • Past Continuous -> Past Perfect Continuous
Formas Perfeitas
- • Present Perfect -> Past Perfect
Modais
- • Will -> Would
- • Can -> Could
- • May -> Might
- • Must -> Had to
Exemplos por nível
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.
Erros comuns
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.
Padrões de frases
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.
Pense 'Um Passo Para Trás'
This simple rule covers most cases.
Cuidado para Não 'Voltar Demais'!
Pratique com o Seu Dia
My friend told me she was going to the gym. Essa prática na vida real ajuda a fixar! This real-life practice makes it stick.
Flexibilidade Informal
However, for clear, formal, or written English, always backshift.
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'.
Pronúncia
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.
Memorize
Mnemônico
The 'Backstep' Rule: If the reporting verb is in the past, the message takes a step back in time.
Associação 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
Desafio
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 culturais
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.
Iniciadores de conversa
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 diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
She said she ___ busy yesterday.
I am busy. O presente simples 'am' vira passado simples 'was'.Find and fix the mistake:
He told me he `go` to the concert.
I go to the concert. O presente simples 'go' vira passado simples 'went' ao relatar no passado.Choose the correct sentence:
The meeting is postponed. O presente simples vira passado simples.Translate into English: 'Ella dijo que había terminado su tarea.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
I have finished my homework(present perfect) vira passado perfeito
she had finished her homeworkquando relatada no passado.
Score: /4
Exercicios praticos
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.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Él preguntó dónde vivía yo.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the tenses:
The coach emphasized that they ___ to practice harder.
She informed me that her brother `can` speak French.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella dijo: "Puedo ayudarte".'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the modals:
I heard she ___ sick last week.
Score: /13
Perguntas frequentes (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
Continue With
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