Reported Speech Dictation: Backshifted Statements

Keep the reported clause separate from the verb introducing it. Said, told or explained tells you about the report; the next clause tells you what was reported. It may contain was, had, would or a longer verb group. Listen for each auxiliary, especially in a passive or a negative. The people in the two clauses may differ, so retain every pronoun too. You are not being asked to reconstruct an earlier quotation. Write the report as it is spoken, with no additional tense changes.