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Tenacious Learner Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Could you check this question
Hi teachers,
The context is part of a longer fictional narrative for beginners.
‘Chief,’ Felix began. ‘How did he escape from prison?’
‘That’s not important now,’ the Chief said.
Information: the students already know that the Chief is a woman.
According to the Chief, was Felix's question relevant now? Explain your answer using reported speech.
No, it wasn't. She said that it wasn't important.
Two questions:
a) Is 'now' necessary at the end of the question to clarify it?
b) Is there a better question?
Thanks in advance.
The context is part of a longer fictional narrative for beginners.
‘Chief,’ Felix began. ‘How did he escape from prison?’
‘That’s not important now,’ the Chief said.
Information: the students already know that the Chief is a woman.
According to the Chief, was Felix's question relevant now? Explain your answer using reported speech.
No, it wasn't. She said that it wasn't important.
Two questions:
a) Is 'now' necessary at the end of the question to clarify it?
b) Is there a better question?
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
g. "Now Felix was getting angry" or whatever), but I find the word slightly out of place in your question. This is because the question is detached from the narrative itself.
- g.
- "Now Felix was getting angry" or whatever), but I find the word slightly out of place in your question.
- This is because the question is detached from the narrative itself.
- If I had to make a time reference I would prefer to instead say "at that time" or something similar.
- Opinions about this may vary.
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2 Answers
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It's possible to use "now" to refer to a moment in the past within the flow of a narrative (e.g. "Now Felix was getting angry" or whatever), but I find the word slightly out of place in your question. This is because the question is detached from the narrative itself. If I had to make a time reference I would prefer to instead say "at that time" or something similar. Opinions about this may vary.
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Hi GPY'
Thanks a lot for your reply and comments. They are very helpful.
TL
Thanks a lot for your reply and comments. They are very helpful.
TL
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