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Diamondrg Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
noun clause
1- Copernicus proved that the Earth ---- round the Sun.
A) goes B) went
2- Copernicus theorized that the world ---- round.
A) is B) was
Which one is correct and why?
A) goes B) went
2- Copernicus theorized that the world ---- round.
A) is B) was
Which one is correct and why?
Top answer
The earth goes around the sun. The world is round. These are regarded as facts in today's world.
- The earth goes around the sun.
- The world is round.
- These are regarded as facts in today's world.
- For this reason, you may use "goes" and "is" as the answers.
- Nevertheless, it is never wrong to use backshifting.
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12 Answers
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The earth goes around the sun.
The world is round.
These are regarded as facts in today's world. For this reason, you may use "goes" and "is" as the answers.
Nevertheless, it is never wrong to use backshifting. For this reason you may use "went" and "was" as the answers.
That said, my personal preference tends toward "goes" with the verb "prove" and "was
The world is round.
These are regarded as facts in today's world. For this reason, you may use "goes" and "is" as the answers.
Nevertheless, it is never wrong to use backshifting. For this reason you may use "went" and "was" as the answers.
That said, my personal preference tends toward "goes" with the verb "prove" and "was
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'...it is never wrong to use backshifting.'
Hi Jim,
I read your explanation. I couldn't find 'backshift' in my dictionary. Is it a term commonly used in grammar book when discussing tense? I'm very interested in learning more about the shifting of tenses. I've read somewhere very briefly that in English the writer can change his POV from one time point to another, and his tense
Hi Jim,
I read your explanation. I couldn't find 'backshift' in my dictionary. Is it a term commonly used in grammar book when discussing tense? I'm very interested in learning more about the shifting of tenses. I've read somewhere very briefly that in English the writer can change his POV from one time point to another, and his tense
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hi, Jim. What about the sentences below?
We realised it wouldn't be easy to find another secretary.
We realised it wouldn't be easy to find another secretary.
(from )
can we also say like below? I've changed them a bit.
We realised it won't be easy to find another secretary.
He said he will see his brother tomorrow.
We realised it wouldn't be easy to find another secretary.
We realised it wouldn't be easy to find another secretary.
(from )
can we also say like below? I've changed them a bit.
We realised it won't be easy to find another secretary.
He said he will see his brother tomorrow.
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See F. R. Palmer: The English Verb.
To backshift is to change from a tense in present POV to a corresponding tense in past POV. Used, among other things, to create indirect speech. The backshifted form usually retains the time-meaning of the original unbackshifted form. The grammatical tense shifts -- not the time referred to.
"I have been sick for three weeks." >
To backshift is to change from a tense in present POV to a corresponding tense in past POV. Used, among other things, to create indirect speech. The backshifted form usually retains the time-meaning of the original unbackshifted form. The grammatical tense shifts -- not the time referred to.
"I have been sick for three weeks." >
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Can we also say themYes.likeas shown below?
(You have the same sentence twice in the upper half of your post.)
CJ
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Okay, I get what backshifting means now.
I know sometimes people use present tense while they actually refer to a past time, so the described happenings feel current and vivid. Is it okay when writing a story you sometimes use present tense, but sometimes use past tense, to refer to happenings in the past, as if you shifts your standing in the line of time?
Jim, thanks for givi
I know sometimes people use present tense while they actually refer to a past time, so the described happenings feel current and vivid. Is it okay when writing a story you sometimes use present tense, but sometimes use past tense, to refer to happenings in the past, as if you shifts your standing in the line of time?
Jim, thanks for givi
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SpongeBarbOkay, I get what backshifting means now.
I know sometimes people use present tense while they actually refer to a past time, so the described happenings feel current and vivid. Is it okay when writing a story you sometimes use present tense, but sometimes use past tense, to refer to happenings in the past, as if you shifts your standing in the lin
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CalifJimOh, yes. sorry. The post would look something like:Can we also say themYes.likeas shown below?
(You have the same sentence twice in the upper half of your post.)
CJ
We realised it wouldn't be easy to find another secretary.
He said he would see his brother tomorrow.
(fr
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