reported speech

[aysaa]

Hello,

(02/02/2012)A: We are leaving at 6.30 on Wednesday.
(02/12/2012)B: Hm...10 days ago, you said that you are leaving at 6.30 on Wednesday, but you didn't. Why?

(It is 07:00 pm) A: We have to catch the train before 09:00 pm.
(The same day...It is 11:00 pm) B: 4 hours ago, she said that they have to catch the train before 9:00 pm. But they couldn't.

A: Don't worry...She will love you sooner or later.
B: She said that she will love me sooner or later. (The specific time is not known. Maybe it's passed 5 days...)

 

[birdeen's call]

Do you have a question?

 

[aysaa]

My question is what happens if we don't backshift in those case?

 

[Raymott]

Hello,

(02/02/2012)A: We are leaving at 6.30 on Wednesday.
(02/12/2012)B: Hm...10 days ago, you said that you were leaving at 6.30 on Wednesday, but you didn't. Why?

(It is 07:00 pm) A: We have to catch the train before 09:00 pm.
(The same day...It is 11:00 pm) B: 4 hours ago, she said that they had to catch the train before 9:00 pm. But they couldn't.

A: Don't worry...She will love you sooner or later.
B: She said that she would love me sooner or later. (The specific time is not known. Maybe it's passed 5 days...)

I'll assume you were asking if these sentences were correct. I would back shift in all cases. My position has always been that back shifting is never wrong; but that not back shifting is often wrong.
The first is ambiguous without back shifting.
The second sounds unnatural.
The third is possible, but only if it's still possible that she will love you. (Maybe 5 years has passed). "Would" works in either case.

 

[aysaa]

Thanks...I think I got it.

1)A: We are leaving at 6.30.
B: She said that they are/were leaving at 6.30. (reported before 6:30)

2)A: We are leaving at 6.30.
B: She said that they were leaving at 6.30. (reported after 6.30) Not ARE

Example 2, we have to change the time even if the time reported is in the same day, is that right?)

 

[5jj]

I often defend not backshifting against those who claim that we must always backshift, but I agree with Raymott:

My position has always been that back shifting is never wrong; but that not back shifting is often wrong.

 

[aysaa]

What I wanted to tell you, is in the example two. Could you please check it out?

 

[5jj]

1)A: We are leaving at 6.30.
B: She said that they are/were leaving at 6.30. (reported before 6:30)

2)A: We are leaving at 6.30.
B: She said that they were leaving at 6.30. (reported after 6.30) Not ARE

Example 2, we have to change the time even if the time reported is in the same day, is that right?)

Yes