English grammar
She said / told me (that)… — moving the tense back
Pass on what someone said to you earlier.
From the scene She told me that...
In short
When you retell what someone said, move the verb one step back. Yes/no questions become asked if.
Your turn
Which one goes with 'they aren't letting anyone through' (aren't → weren't)?
Options: I told her I didn't know anything · She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through · She told me that Don Ramón was very angry
Show answer
'they aren't letting anyone through' (aren't → weren't) → She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through
How it works
When you retell a past conversation, the verbs usually move one step back: 'He's very angry' → she told me he was very angry.
Good to know
'I don't know anything' → I told her I didn't know anything. Yes/no questions become asked (me) if + statement order: she asked me if it was my fault.
'he's very angry' (is → was) She told me that Don Ramón was very angry
Nuria
She told me that Don Ramón was very angry.
Me dijo que Don Ramón estaba muy enfadado.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through · I told her I didn't know anything · She told me that Don Ramón was very angry
Show answer
Nuria
She told me that Don Ramón was very angry.
Me dijo que Don Ramón estaba muy enfadado.
'they aren't letting anyone through' (aren't → weren't) She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through
Nuria
She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through.
Dijo que las cajas no dejaban pasar a nadie.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through · She told me that Don Ramón was very angry · I told her I didn't know anything
Show answer
Nuria
She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through.
Dijo que las cajas no dejaban pasar a nadie.
'I don't know anything' (don't → didn't) I told her I didn't know anything
Nuria
I told her I didn't know anything.
Le dije que no sabía nada.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: I told her I didn't know anything · She told me that Don Ramón was very angry · She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through
Show answer
Nuria
I told her I didn't know anything.
Le dije que no sabía nada.
yes/no question → asked if asked me if it was my fault
Nuria
She also asked me if it was my fault.
También me preguntó si yo tenía la culpa.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
She also (blank).
Options: She told me that Don Ramón was very angry · She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through · asked me if it was my fault
Show answer
Nuria
She also asked me if it was my fault.
También me preguntó si yo tenía la culpa.
Common mistake
Not didn’t or wasn’t here. The boxes: plural.
She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through.
Dijo que las cajas no dejaban pasar a nadie.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| 'he's very angry' (is → was) | She told me that Don Ramón was very angry |
|---|---|
| 'they aren't letting anyone through' (aren't → weren't) | She said the boxes weren’t letting anyone through |
| 'I don't know anything' (don't → didn't) | I told her I didn't know anything |
| yes/no question → asked if | asked me if it was my fault |
More lines from the story
- NuriaDo you know what Doña Elena told me?¿Sabes qué me dijo Doña Elena?
- TomásNo. Tell me, tell me.No. Cuéntame, cuéntame.