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Whatchadoin Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Backshifting

I thought you said you were the best. - Is this sentence correct?
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I always use backshifting except when I report something immediately. Is that OK? Can I continue using it forever?
  

Top answer

The sentence is correct. I can't think of an instance where backshifting would be incorrect.

— RandomGuy

  • The sentence is correct.
  • I can't think of an instance where backshifting would be incorrect.
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8 Answers
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The sentence is correct. I can't think of an instance where backshifting would be incorrect.
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Aspara GusI can't think of an instance where backshifting would be incorrect.
Then why do native speakers sometimes don't use it?
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Just because it's correct doesn't mean it's incorrect otherwise. Not backshifting isn't always wrong but is usually preferable, in my opinion.
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Do you, as a native speaker, always use backshifting?
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I usually do. I don't want to say always.
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One common reason not to backshift is when someone says something about the future, and when you report it, it is still in the future.

On Sunday: "I will be there Thursday"
On Monday: He said he will be here Thursday.
You CAN backshift to "He said he would" but you don't have to.
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Grammar GeekYou CAN backshift to "He said he would" but you don't have to.
Does backshifting in such cases depend on the speaker? Do native speakers use both?
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That's exactly what my answer means. You can. You don't have to. We use both.
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