In this sentence, the person is referring to a question that was asked in the past but a condition that is current. Can the past and present tense be used in this case or should it be "Why did you ask me if they had any allergies?"
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1Both present and past can be used here.– GEdgarNov 7, 2021 at 14:46
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2If the the question was asked in 1970, you obviously have to use a past tense.– CentaurusNov 7, 2021 at 14:55
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Both are okay; the "backshift" is optional.– Tinfoil HatNov 7, 2021 at 15:51
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1Both are grammatical; the 'backshift' is optional unless, as Centaurus says, there is a compelling reason to backshift ('they' have all since died; there was a long time between the possibility of their having allergies (think 'the British at Waterloo') and the question; the question itself was many years ago (1970)).– Edwin AshworthNov 7, 2021 at 16:41
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