Indirect Speech Adverbs of Time?

Question

She said that her grandma had died three years before.

Can I say ago instead of before when the person I'm talking is right in front of me and the time of reporting is present?

I am not sure about the usage of whether to use ago or before.

Thank you in advance

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

AppleFanboyCan I say ago instead of before when the person I'm talking is right in front of me and the time of reporting is present?

You can say that, yes, when you are not doing a reported speech exercise.

AppleFanboy am not sure about the usage of whether to use ago or before.

'Ago' means 'before now' only.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

She said that her grandma had died three years ago. (That's what I would say.)

CalifJim · Answer

AppleFanboywhen the person I'm talking to is right in front of me

It doesn't matter whether you're talking to someone in person or on the phone. The grammar is the same.

AppleFanboywhen ... the time of reporting is present?

The time of reporting is always the present. Anytime we speak, it is "now".

AppleFanboyI am not sure about the usage of whether to use ago or before.

When used with a measure of time, 'ago' is before now.
'before' is before some other time. You can also use 'earlier' or 'previously'.
___________

1. In 1995, she said, "My grandma died today".
2. In 1998, she said, "My grandma died three years ago".
Today I report 2 thus: She said that her grandma had died three years [earlier / before].
I don't say: She said that her grandma had died three years ago. ('Three years ago' means in 2012 because it's 2015 now.)

But suppose it's like this.

1. In 2012, she said, "My grandma died today".
2. In 2015, she said, "My grandma died three years ago".
Today I report 2 thus: She said that her grandma (had) died three years ago. (You don't even need 'had'.)

CJ

Indirect Speech Adverbs of Time?

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