Questions tagged [backshifting]
The changing of a present tense in direct speech to a past tense in reported speech
103
questions
1
vote
1answer
37 views
If he had known she had too many commitments, he would have done something about it. (Backshifting within the scope of a modally remote preterite)
If he knew she had too many commitments, he would do something about
it.
If he had known he had too many commitments, he would have done
something about it. (This sentence is made up by myself from ...
-2
votes
0answers
5 views
I saw we would/will need it [migrated]
If I am trying to explain I saw a future need, which of the following sentences are correct? I provided my interpretation of each sentence as well.
I saw we would need more products for March. -- I ...
4
votes
1answer
100 views
Does “could” always mean something less likely than “can”, even in backshifted subordinate clauses?
Does the could version always show more uncertainty/doubt than the can version in each of ⑴, ⑵, and ⑶?
You can/could get very nasty skin diseases from bathing in dirty water.
You can/could get into ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
How to interpret a reported speech
Ex 1) Direct speech: He said " We lived here for 5 years"
Indirect speech : He told me that they had lived there for 5 years.
Ex 2) Direct speech: He said " We have lived here for 5 ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
The Present (Concessive) Subjunctive (Whether/If It Be) in Past Tense Cases
Did the present, concessive subjunctive (“if it be the case”; “whether it be the case”) ever have a place in past-tense sentences?
To my understanding, the subjunctive “were” and the conditionals in ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Grammar: “Thought” [duplicate]
I saw this sentence in a composition and I don’t know whether it is grammatically correct:
He is so cute, I thought.
Firstly, since the whole composition is in past tense, is it correct to use “is” ...
0
votes
0answers
47 views
Use of 'would' for evidentiality in American English
In American English, "would" is used more often than in British English. It seems that one reason is using 'would' for evidential use in American English. especially for indirect ...
0
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2answers
1k views
Would not be able to versus will not be able to
Linda phoned and explained that she would not be able to come to the party the next day because she was still sick.
Why do we use would not instead of will not?
2
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0answers
54 views
Problem with backshift (past simple to past perfect)
Last week in an EFL class I told students that when reporting a speech they should "backshift" the main verb, exception made when the statement is a general truth or it is still valid.
In their ...
0
votes
2answers
3k views
Couldn't have been more wrong vs Couldn't be more wrong
Is there a difference between 'I couldn't have been more wrongˇ and 'I couldn't be more wrong' if used after a sentence like 'I thought he would appreciate the gesture'?
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Persisting tense backshifting in the “i'd rather” hypothetical
Today I was discussing something with my boss and I said the following sentence:
I'd rather we experimented with things we haven't tried yet
I said that as a response to an idea of reusing an old ...
0
votes
1answer
257 views
I'd appreciate it if + <past tense> + until + <present or past tense?>
These three examples have the same construction of
I'd appreciate it if you + past tense verb + ... + until + subject + present or past tense verb...
The first one has the present tense verb ...
-1
votes
1answer
647 views
Which is the correct tense: “earth was/is round”? [duplicate]
Maybe it's very simple but I'm wondering which one is correct. Google search has showed me both forms are used.
"He said the earth was round."
"He said the earth is round."
1
vote
1answer
161 views
Difference in meaning between: “his son will return” and “his son would return” [duplicate]
The hope is that his son will/would return.
What’s the difference in meaning of the sentence when will and would are used one at a time?
Should we use only would inasmuch as hope is only ...
3
votes
3answers
253 views
What type of if-conditional is: “A shop offered us a reduction if we paid in cash.”?
What type of if-conditional is this sentence?
A shop offered us a reduction if we paid in cash.
As far as I know, the only right conditional sentences are these four:
Zero Conditional:
A shop offer ...
1
vote
2answers
128 views
What is the Holocaust, or what was the Holocaust?
I am writing a piece of history coursework about the Holocaust. One of the section titles is What is the Holocaust, or What was the Holocaust? Could somebody please confirm which of these two is ...
1
vote
0answers
114 views
Is this an example of indirect speech?
I wrote:
School starts in August next year? I thought it started in September.
I proposed that this is one good example of how grammar can confuse people because a preterite (started) is used to ...
2
votes
3answers
788 views
Which tense is correct? “Bob wanted to know if he is/was a father”
Bob wants to know if he is a father or not. A day later, Bob learns that he's a father. Then three years pass.
Now which of the following is correct and why?
Three years ago, Bob wanted to ...
1
vote
1answer
178 views
Why isn't it “had handed” in “the girl alleged that her mother handed her over”?
In the following reported speech:
The girl alleged that her mother handed her over to a pimp and was taking Rs 40,000 from him every month.
— Times of India Newspaper, 1st May 2018
Why is it ...
0
votes
1answer
3k views
Reported speech with “never”, which one is correct? [closed]
Direct speech: “I never lose my books”.
Which one is correct in Indirect speech:
“He said he never lost his books.”
or
“He said he never loses his books.” ?
1
vote
3answers
154 views
Verb tense for anticipated future in the context of now-discarded hypothetical past
Further to discussion regarding this ELL answer...
I [had] assumed I would go to Heaven when I die/died, but when I think about all the wicked things I've done, I'm now pretty sure I'll go to Hell [...
0
votes
1answer
110 views
“Backshifting” in English [duplicate]
Can anyone please tell me if there is any need to backshift the tense?
Here is the example:
Yesterday, as a consultant I went to meet my friend Peter who has been found guilty of fraud. He claimed ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Modal verbs in reporting
'Advanced Grammar In Use' (AGU) by Martin Hewings, UNIT 37 C, says:
The verbs could, would, should, might, needn't, ought to, used to, and could have, should have, etc. don't change in the report:
'I ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
“How could I” and “how could I have” in rhetorical questions
I have a question about using could and could have in rhetorical
questions.
I was watching a video where a very old man
who was talking to a priest about his childhood asked the priest, “How
could I ...
2
votes
2answers
228 views
Conditional clause
Yo, is this sentence correct? It's hard to find a guide that speaks directly to this use of the subjunctive:
I realized that this issue needed more active contemplation, were I to find any closure.
...
1
vote
4answers
352 views
What’s the right inflection for the bracketed verb in “He asked what time the train [was/will/be] leaving”? [duplicate]
I was conducting a language assessment test when I was asked to fill out a clause:
He asked what time the train [ was / will / be] leaving.
I would have chosen be to form a subjunctive clause, had ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Should go/will go/will be going?
This question was in a test so please choose one of the answers given in the question.
The coach said that they _________ to the gym every day next week to get in shape for the tournament game.
1) ...
0
votes
2answers
13k views
So that I can vs So that I may [duplicate]
In the cases below, do I always have to use 'may' instead of 'can'?
Both sound correct to me however, I had read explanations that said that 'may' should be used after 'so that'.
I came earlier so ...
0
votes
1answer
194 views
Indirect Speech - Tense Shifting [duplicate]
In this quoted example, is it okay to shift verb tenses mid-sentence?
Background: The narration is written in present tense. The narrator is referencing something that was said in the past, but the ...
1
vote
2answers
572 views
Tense simplification in subordinate clauses - past perfect instead of would have
in Michael Swan's "Practical English Usage" he states in entry 580.6 ("past instead of would ..."): "would, like will, is avoided in subordinate clauses; instead, we generally use past verbs". He also ...
0
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2answers
446 views
Tenses - Reported speech WITHIN a conditional clause
If we would like to express a conditional statement about a present fact
as in "Can you go outside today? - I don't know yet, I need my parents' approval first"
Are these sentences correct?
...
3
votes
3answers
540 views
Indirect speech, tense shift in clauses of second degree
I'm reading Hunger Games. Katniss and Peeta are being prepared for the Arena by special instructors.
The plant instructor says: Avoid berries unless you are 100 percent sure they aren't toxic.
How ...
1
vote
1answer
272 views
Using the word “if” without having to use the word “then”
Is it acceptable to use the word "if" in the following reflection as in an oblique suspicion and not have to use the word "then"?
One question is: with all the money he has saved so far in not ...
-1
votes
1answer
1k views
Present perfect vs. Past perfect tense used in newspaper story [closed]
I've been asking a lot about backshifting of tenses for quite some time and I have come across many articles/blogs where this so-called rule is not always followed unlike notable grammar books.
For ...
1
vote
1answer
133 views
Backshift with a past continuous
Is it correct when using reported speech to say: Jan said that on the weekend she cycled and went hiking rather than Jan said that on the weekend she cycled and had gone hiking?
Tks Jan
0
votes
1answer
3k views
Past continuous reporting verb in indirect speech [duplicate]
In indirect speech if the reporting verb is in past tense, then the verb in subordinate clause will also be in past tense.
Ex- He said that he was going to see movie.
What tense will be used in ...
5
votes
5answers
343 views
Are the tenses used in the sentence correct?
From http://dilbert.com/strip/2015-07-31:
I'm going to call you Carlos from now on. And it would help if you grew a beard and walked with a limp.
Shouldn't it be grow a beard and walk with a limp ...
11
votes
3answers
6k views
To tell the name of a person I met in the past
I have a basic grammar question about the past tense. If I met a guy yesterday, which tense should I use about his name today?
For example,
"Yesterday I met a guy, his name is/was John."
1
vote
3answers
343 views
Grammar: Did Jim ask you whether you are a virgin? VS Did Jim ask you whether you were a virgin? [duplicate]
How do I form a question based on the following details:
At 1pm on Sunday
Jim: Are you a virgin?
Jane: Yes
nothing happened from 1pm to 9pm
At 9pm on Sunday: Did Jim ask you whether you were a ...
0
votes
2answers
2k views
When is “backshifting” optional?
In reported speech, tenses are generally backshifted. If what was said is still true at the time of reporting then back shifting is optional.
My question is, if someone doesn't backshift the tense ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
optional backshifting [duplicate]
I have been asking a lot about optional back shifting. I understand that if what is said is still true at the time of reporting then back shifting of tense is optional. I just have one doubt. If what ...
2
votes
2answers
5k views
I received an email saying documents are /were [duplicate]
I received an email saying that the documents are/were being processed.
Which is correct? Are or were?
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Using Past-tense or Present-tense for verbs
I found a perfect example on the internet about what I am trying to ask. Take a look at this:
"Mr. Dilger wants to see you." Mr. Bruce went on to say. "It's about the same thing. I thought I'd ...
0
votes
1answer
6k views
I have forgotten what you look/looked like
Which one is correct?
I have forgotten what you look like.
I have forgotten what you looked like.
I guess
I have forgotten what you looked like.
because logically I saw the ...
1
vote
2answers
402 views
When to use the present or the past perfect tense?
A few days back, I asked a question - why in reported speech is the present perfect tense sometimes not back shifted to the past perfect tense ? For example:
He said that he has painted the door.
...
-1
votes
1answer
495 views
sentence structure and sequence of tense
In sentence structure of indirect speech like - (He said +........... , He informed +....... , He claimed + .......... ), I am aware that if the situation is still relevant then back shifting of ...
1
vote
1answer
600 views
sequence of tenses (optional and obligatory back shifting )
Consider a sentence:
1) The president learned that the earthquake has caused havoc all across the country.
Here present perfect tense is used. First tell me is it correct to use 'has caused' ?
I ...
2
votes
3answers
601 views
present perfect vs past perfect [closed]
What's the difference between the following examples:
I noticed that the clock had stopped.
I noticed that the clock has stopped.
Some of them say that if the emphasis is laid on the subordinate ...
1
vote
1answer
16k views
Reported speech in news articles [duplicate]
In reported speech we generally back shift the tense. But why in news articles do I often see that this guideline is violated? For ...
2
votes
2answers
495 views
It was unclear that she has/had painted the door
The grammar rule says that if the verb in the main clause is in the past tense then the verbs in the subordinate clauses will also be in the corresponding past tense.
According to the grammar rule ...
