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Vsuresh Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

past perfect/past

Hi
Please help me with this.
1.When I entered the class room the students had already been /were already there.
2. Ann: I was listening to music then.
Ann said that she had been listening to music then.
As per the general practice past continuous in direct speech becomes past perfect continuous in indirect speech. My question: Is the change really necessary?
  

Top answer

When I entered the classroom, the students were already there. When I entered the classroom, the students had already arrived. I was listening to music then.

— RandomGuy

  • When I entered the classroom, the students were already there.
  • When I entered the classroom, the students had already arrived.
  • I was listening to music then.
  • OK Ann said that she had been listening to music then.
  • OK vsuresh As per the general practice past continuous in direct speech becomes past perfect continuous in indirect speech.
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7 Answers
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When I entered the classroom, the students were already there.
When I entered the classroom, the students had already arrived.
I was listening to music then. OK
Ann said that she had been listening to music then. OK
vsureshAs per the general practice past continuo
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Thank you Aspara Gus
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vsuresh1.When I entered the class room the students had already been /were already there.
had already been there can suggest that they had already been there and left. The room was empty.
were already there doesn't suggest this. I think you were probably thinking of were already there when you wrote the sentence.
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CalifJimNo, the change isn't really necessary.
Because of then?
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Aspara GusBecause of then?
Hmmm. Not really.

Ann said, "I was listening to music".

I would report that as, "Ann said she was listening to music" -- not that I consider 'had been listening' wrong.

On the other hand,

Ann said, "I've been listening to music".

I would report that as, "Ann said she had bee
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CalifJimAnn said, "I was listening to music".
I would report that as, "Ann said she was listening to music" -- not that I consider 'had been listening' wrong.
Ann said that she was listening to music.

To me, this means that she was listening to music at that time, i.e., I am listening to music.

Ann said that she had been
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Aspara GusI doubt many people would make these subtle distinctions in everyday conversation.
So do I, but since this is a grammar forum, it doesn't hurt to point out the subtleties if you feel it will help the OP.

CJ
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