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Ticce Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Future in the Past

If we say:

I said that I would do it. - OK

But what is the right way to say the following?

I said that if I didn't do it, it wouldn't be fair.

(Or) I said that if I wouldn't do it, it wouldn't be fair.

Or - your option.
  

Top answer

The first sentence is what people normally say. If + would is a possible collocation replete with connotations. It would be easier to try to guess at its meaning in the second sentence if there were more context.

— Cool Breeze

  • The first sentence is what people normally say.
  • If + would is a possible collocation replete with connotations.
  • It would be easier to try to guess at its meaning in the second sentence if there were more context.
  • Context is very often the key word in English.
  • CB
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3 Answers
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The first sentence is what people normally say. If + would is a possible collocation replete with connotations. It would be easier to try to guess at its meaning in the second sentence if there were more context. Context is very often the key word in English.

CB
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Hi Ticce

Reported speech: I said that I would do it. --> Direct speech: "I will do it."

Reported speech: I said that if I didn't do it, it wouldn't be fair. --> Direct speech: "If I don't do it, it will not be fair."

(Or) I said that if I wouldn't do it, it wouldn't be fair. Incorrect (I cannot think of any sce
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Ticce(Or) I said that if I wouldn't do it, it wouldn't be fair.

I agree with Yankee that the above sentence is not correct.
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