Business English C1 · Lesson 8A

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

reported speech (advanced backshift)

1 structure

Advanced reported speech: reporting verbs & patterns
Reporting the message, the attitude and the force of what was said.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›Backshift is optional when the statement is still true.
- ›Patterns: verb + that / + to-infinitive / + object + to / + -ing / + preposition + -ing.
- ›Attitude verbs: concede, insist, allege, imply, downplay, reiterate.
- ›Passive reporting: It is alleged that… / He is said to have…
Examples
- “She conceded that the estimate had been optimistic.”
- “They accused us of withholding data.”
- “He is believed to have resigned before the audit.”
Watch out · Match the pattern to the verb — accuse of, blame for, congratulate on.
Your own example