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IanKCH Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Can Present Perfect tense be used in reported speech?
Hi,
I would like to ask whether the Present Perfect tense can be used in reported speech.
I realised that when talking about general truth or things that are still true at the time of conversation, it is okay to keep the present tense in reported speech. So, by extension, does it mean the present perfect tense can be kept as well?
Thomas says, "I have quit drugs".
Eg 1. Thomas said he has quit drugs.
2. Thomas said he had quit drugs.
Which is correct? 1 or 2? It is still true that Thomas has quit drugs.
I would like to ask whether the Present Perfect tense can be used in reported speech.
I realised that when talking about general truth or things that are still true at the time of conversation, it is okay to keep the present tense in reported speech. So, by extension, does it mean the present perfect tense can be kept as well?
Thomas says, "I have quit drugs".
Eg 1. Thomas said he has quit drugs.
2. Thomas said he had quit drugs.
Which is correct? 1 or 2? It is still true that Thomas has quit drugs.
Top answer
Thomas said that he has quit drugs - Thomas is telling you he has quit drugs - whether or not you believe him we don't know. Thomas said that he had quit drugs - Thomas quit drugs but now he's using again! - ****** junkies!
- Thomas said that he has quit drugs - Thomas is telling you he has quit drugs - whether or not you believe him we don't know.
- Thomas said that he had quit drugs - Thomas quit drugs but now he's using again!
- - ****** junkies!
- (or he just told you he quit).
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5 Answers
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Thomas said that he has quit drugs - Thomas is telling you he has quit drugs - whether or not you believe him we don't know.
Thomas said that he had quit drugs - Thomas quit drugs but now he's using again! - ****** junkies!
Thomas said that he had quit drugs - Thomas quit drugs but now he's using again! - ****** junkies!
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Dave PhillipsThomas said that he had quit drugs - Thomas quit drugs but now he's using again! - ****** junkies!
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Hi, IanKCh
John: "I am sick."
John said he was sick=he is no longer sick
We don't backshift if it is still true:
John said he is sick= he is still sick
Therefore,
if we backshift, it is no longer true that he quit smoking. If we don't backshift, it is still true.
Understand?
John: "I am sick."
John said he was sick=he is no longer sick
We don't backshift if it is still true:
John said he is sick= he is still sick
Therefore,
if we backshift, it is no longer true that he quit smoking. If we don't backshift, it is still true.
Understand?
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Hi English 1b3,
Sorry for the late reply. I did not have access to a computer the past four days.
I understand the backshift rule for simple tense as you have pointed out. What I would like to know is whether this rule applies for the perfect tense as well. If it's still true, can we use the present perfect tense?
Eg. John is still smoking at the present moment.
Sorry for the late reply. I did not have access to a computer the past four days.
I understand the backshift rule for simple tense as you have pointed out. What I would like to know is whether this rule applies for the perfect tense as well. If it's still true, can we use the present perfect tense?
Eg. John is still smoking at the present moment.
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