Tenses
When we report things that people said in the past, we do not usually use the same tenses as they said. This is because the times are different.
Compare
Original Words Reported Speech
'I don't like the party.' Bill said he didn't like the party.
(NOT Bill said he doesn't like the party.)
'Will you marry me?' I asked him if he would marry me.
(NOT I asked him if he will marry me.)
'You look nice.' I told her she looked nice.
....(NOT I told her she looks nice.)
'I'm learning French.' She said she was learning French.
(NOT She said she is learning French.)
'I've forgotten.' He said he had forgotten.
(NOT He said he has forgotten.)
'John phoned.' She told me that John had phoned.)
(NOT She told me that John phoned.)
Exceptions:
If somebody said something in the past that is still true, we sometimes report it with the same tense as the original speaker.
'The earth goes round the sun.' He proved that the earth goes round the sun.
'How old are you?' I asked how old you are.
Note: The tips in this series are picked from various sources!
~* GS *~
March 15, 2013
Don't forget to click on the ’Like’ 'button if you find the above tips useful!
Comments