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Reported speech: statement with backshift

Reported speech: statement with backshift

Structure:

il/elle dit que + present→imparfait (in past context)

In reported speech after a past main verb, the present tense shifts to the imparfait.

Example:

Il a dit qu'il était malade. **Translation:** He said (that) he was sick.

Examples

Il a dit qu'il était malade.

He said (that) he was sick.

Used in Articles

Practice

Question 1 of 20 correct

Which grammar pattern does this sentence use? "Il a dit qu'il était malade."

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