B1 (Intermediate)Lesson 7: Reported Speech & Register
Portuguese reported speech often shifts tenses when the reporting verb is in the past, but original tenses can remain when the information is still current. Time reference, context and register guide the choice.
Present → Imperfect (past viewpoint) or Present (current/general meaning)
Preterite → Past Perfect or Preterite
Future → Conditional or Future
Imperfect often stays Imperfect
Subjunctive can shift with a past reporting viewpoint
Brazilian speech often keeps original tenses when context permits
Context determines if shift needed
Writing often uses traditional shifts with past reporting verbs
Direct tense → Indirect tense (past reporting viewpoint) OR Direct tense → Same tense (context permits)
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Tense choices in reported speech show how a situation relates to the reporting time. Traditional shifts such as "disse que estava" are natural in conversation as well as formal writing; "disse que está" can also suit formal writing when the situation remains current or generally true. Understanding the time reference and register helps you report messages clearly in office emails and family WhatsApp conversations.
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech (Past Viewpoint) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present: falo | Imperfect: falava | "Falo português" → disse que falava português |
| Preterite: falei | Past Perfect: tinha falado | "Falei com ele" → disse que tinha falado |
| Imperfect: falava | Imperfect: falava (no change) | "Falava sempre" → disse que falava sempre |
| Future: falarei | Conditional: falaria | "Falarei amanhã" → disse que falaria |
| Present Perfect: tenho falado | Past Perfect: tinha falado | "Tenho falado" → disse que tinha falado |
| Future with ir: vou falar | Imperfect + infinitive: ia falar | "Vou falar" → disse que ia falar |
"Estou ocupado" → "Informou que estava ocupado"
"Farei o possível" → "Prometeu que faria o possível"
"Já enviei" → "Confirmou que já tinha enviado"
"Vou pensar" → "Respondeu que ia pensar"
"Tô cansado" → "Falou que tá cansado"
"Vou sair" → "Disse que vai sair"
"Não posso" → "Avisou que não pode"
"Já cheguei" → "Mandou mensagem que já chegou"
Scientific facts commonly retain the present:
"A Terra gira" → "Explicou que a Terra gira"
"girava" can locate the statement in the past without saying it became false
A present reporting verb need not create a past viewpoint:
"Presidente diz que 'vai mudar'"
Here diz is present; the quoted wording also retains its original tense
Quoted sayings retain their wording:
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