C2 Mastery Advanced clauses and reporting
Advanced reported speech
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can use academic reporting verbs (claim, imply, contend, hypothesize) and know when backshift is not required in reported speech.
When to use it
- Reporting a statement while signalling distance/doubt: The minister claimed that...
- Reporting something implied, not stated directly: He implied that...
- Reporting a strong argument in academic debate: Critics contend that...
- Reporting a research hypothesis: Researchers hypothesize that...
- Keeping the original tense when the reported idea is a fact or still true.
Form
| Verb | Nuance | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| claim | a claim that may not be true | claim + (that) + clause |
| imply | suggesting without saying it directly | imply + (that) + clause |
| contend | a strong assertion in an argument | contend + (that) + clause |
| hypothesize | putting forward a hypothesis | hypothesize + (that) + clause |
Step by step
- Choose the reporting verb based on the nuance of the original (certainty, doubt, implication, hypothesis) instead of always using say/tell.
- Apply backshift as usual (present → past, will → would...).
- Exception: if the reported idea is a scientific fact/obvious truth or is still true now, the present tense may be kept.
- For Yes/No questions, use if/whether, and do NOT add 'that' before if/whether or before a question word (where, why...).
When NOT to backshift?
| Case | Example |
|---|---|
| Scientific / obvious facts | The teacher said (that) water boils at 100°C. |
| Something still true now | She said (that) she lives in Hanoi. |
| Habits / general truths | He mentioned that he doesn't eat meat. |
Examples
The report suggests that the new drug has significant side effects.
The spokesperson implied that the company was not entirely at fault.
Critics contend that the policy will widen inequality.
She asked whether I could help her move next weekend.
Common mistakes
He asked her that where she worked. → He asked her where she worked.
Do not use 'that' before a question word (where, why, when...) in reported questions.
She asked me that if I could help her. → She asked me if I could help her.
Do not use 'that' before if/whether in a reported Yes/No question.
The teacher said that water had boiled at 100°C. → The teacher said that water boils at 100°C.
A scientific fact never changes, so keep the present tense instead of backshifting.
Memory tip
Before backshifting, ask: is this still true? If it's still true now (a fact, a habit, a general truth), you may keep the original tense.
Summary
- Choose the reporting verb by nuance: claim (doubt), imply (implication), contend (argument), hypothesize (hypothesis).
- Don't backshift facts that are obvious or still true.
- Don't add 'that' before if/whether or a question word in reported questions.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.