# When the Tense Stays the Same: Rules and Examples | SwaVid

When the tense stays the same: The reporting verb is the verb before that: says, said, will say. Rules, examples and a free quick check for Class 6 to 12.

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# When the tense stays the same: rules and examples

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Short answer. The reporting verb is the verb before that: says, said, will say. If it is past, like said, the words usually move back a tense. If it is not past, the tense of the words stays the same.

1 . Choose the right verb. Nina has said, "I am ready." Nina has said that she ___ ready.

A present or future reporting verb keeps the tense the same.

The reporting verb is the verb before that: says, said, will say. If it is past, like said, the words usually move back a tense. If it is not past, the tense of the words stays the same.

Lata says, "I am tired." Lata says that she is tired. Lata said, "I am tired." Lata said that she was tired.

A present or future reporting verb keeps the tense the same.

Pronouns, tenses and time words, explained.

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All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.

- Present reporting verbs . Says, tells, claims, insists, adds, keeps saying and is saying are all present. The reported words keep their own tense. Only the pronouns change.
- Has said and will say . Has said and has told are present perfect, which counts as present, so the tense stays. Will say and will announce look to the future, so the tense stays too.
- Facts that are always true . A fact that is always true, like a fact of science, keeps its present tense even after said.
- Lata says, "I am tired." Lata says that she is tired.
- Lata said, "I am tired." Lata said that she was tired.

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