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Wangqh2696122 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Is backshift needed in the indirect speech?
She asked, "When did he come back?"
She asked when he came/ had come back.
She asked when he came/ had come back.
Top answer
Yes - 'She asked when he had come back'.
- Yes - 'She asked when he had come back'.
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3 Answers
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I'd say it was optional here.
Nevertheless, backshifting is the default option as it gives, strictly speaking, a more faithful report of the original in that it uses the same time reference as the original utterance. So, backshift preferred, but not obligatory.
BillJ
Nevertheless, backshifting is the default option as it gives, strictly speaking, a more faithful report of the original in that it uses the same time reference as the original utterance. So, backshift preferred, but not obligatory.
BillJ
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