Reported Statements exercises — Set 1: Present Tense Backshift (Worksheet)
Worksheet • 20 questions • 12 min
"I like pizza." → She said she pizza.
"I work in a bank." → He said he in a bank.
"We live in Paris." → They said they in Paris.
"I play tennis every weekend." → She said she tennis every weekend.
"I know the answer." → He said he the answer.
"We want a new car." → They said they a new car.
"I have two brothers." → She said she two brothers.
"My sister teaches English." → He said his sister English.
"I need some help." → She said she some help.
"We enjoy cooking." → They said they cooking.
"I understand the problem." → He said he the problem.
"I go to the gym every day." → She said she to the gym every day.
"I am studying for my exam." → He said he for his exam.
"We are waiting for the bus." → They said they for the bus.
"I am reading a good book." → She said she a good book.
"My friends are planning a party." → He said his friends a party.
"I am learning to drive." → She said she to drive.
"We are having dinner." → They said they dinner.
"I am looking for a new job." → He said he for a new job.
"The children are playing outside." → She said the children outside.
Reported Statements exercises online (Worksheet)
When we report what someone said, we usually shift the tense one step back. Present simple becomes past simple (like → liked), and present continuous becomes past continuous (is playing → was playing). Pronouns also change to match the new speaker's perspective. Practise converting direct speech into reported speech.