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Yoong Liat Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

does/did

A man walks into a shop and sees a cute little dog. He asks the shopkeeper, "Does your dog bite?"

The shopkeeper says, "No my dog does not bite."

The man pats the dog and it bites him.

"Ouch!" he says, "I thought you said that your dog does/did not bite."

The shopkeeper replied, "But that is not my dog."

Should I use 'does' or 'did'?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hello, Here is what I think: At first sight, it seems to be an indirect translation and it gives us the sense that we should use did but I would say does, giving the emphasis on his dog's habit.

— Doll

  • Hello, Here is what I think: At first sight, it seems to be an indirect translation and it gives us the sense that we should use did but I would say does, giving the emphasis on his dog's habit.
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7 Answers
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Hello,

Here is what I think:

At first sight, it seems to be an indirect translation and it gives us the sense that we should use did but I would say does, giving the emphasis on his dog's habit.
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See [url=]this[/url]
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I knew that you'll attach a link to your post, Loojka! LOL. Emotion: smile
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I knew that you'll attach a link to your post, Loojka! LOL. Emotion: smile
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"I thought you said that your dog does/did not bite."
Should I use 'does' or 'did'?
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Either one is fine. (I would use 'did'.) Backshifting to match the verb in the superordinate clause is always correct. On the other hand, immediate or nearly immediate reporting of a present tense statement (as with said in this example) is often r
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Thanks for your replies.
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WesternAmericanI knew that you'll attach a link to your post, Loojka! LOL. Emotion: smile
It's not the link
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