When NOT to Apply Backshift — Advanced Reported Speech — Discorso Indiretto B2 (B2)

Advanced Reported Speech — Discorso Indiretto B2·When NOT to Apply Backshift

💡

Rule reminder

Backshift is NOT required when: (1) the reporting verb is in the present or future tense; (2) the reported statement refers to a universal or still-true fact; (3) the original speaker's words are very recent and still relevant. In these cases, the original tense is preserved.

When NOT to Apply Backshift1 / 10

Your friend just texted you. You report to another friend 5 seconds later. Which is more appropriate?