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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Past tense or present tense?

They didn't know that the earth was round.

They didn't know that the earth is round.

Why is correct?
  

Top answer

As the reporting verb is past tense, backshifting to'was' is possible. As the fact reported is still true (the earth is round), it is also possible not to backshift.

— Fivejedjon

  • As the reporting verb is past tense, backshifting to'was' is possible.
  • As the fact reported is still true (the earth is round), it is also possible not to backshift.
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4 Answers
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As the reporting verb is past tense, backshifting to'was' is possible.
As the fact reported is still true (the earth is round), it is also possible not to backshift.
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They didn't know that the earth is round. Emotion: yes It is round.
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......to not backshift
fivejedjonAs the reporting verb is past tense, backshifting to'was' is possible.As the fact reported is still true (the earth is round), it is also possible not to backshift.
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Anonymousnot to backshift.Emotion: no
Really?
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