Backshift in would you rather.
Hello all! : )
Is the backshifting done correctly in this example:
Would you rather we came up with some propositions that we thought were suitable and presented them to you on Monday?
The message I want to convey refers to the present (would you rather at this moment) and future (that we will present it to you on monday).
Would this version be also possible?
Would you rather we come up with some propositions that we think are suitable and present them to you on Monday?
Thanks!
Top answer
witty grape 285 Is the backshifting done correctly It is not backshifting. Backshifting is done in the conversion from direct to indirect speech. This is not indirect speech.
- witty grape 285 Is the backshifting done correctly It is not backshifting.
- Backshifting is done in the conversion from direct to indirect speech.
- This is not indirect speech.
- This is an example of the subjunctive form.
- Both forms are grammatical.
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witty grape 285Is the backshifting done correctly
It is not backshifting. Backshifting is done in the conversion from direct to indirect speech. This is not indirect speech.
This is an example of the subjunctive form. Both forms are grammatical. I prefer the indicative. It is becoming more popular in contemporary English. The subjunctive form is decl
0[1] Would you rather we came up with some propositions that we thought were suitable and presented them to you on Monday?
[2] Would you rather we come up with some propositions that we think are suitable and present them to you on Monday?
Yes, both are perfectly acceptable. I would say
0witty grape 285Would this version be also possible?
Yes.
Personally, I'm completely indifferent to the choice of tenses in that sentence. Both are fine.
CJ
0
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