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PreciousJones Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

played

I contacted her a couple weeks ago and she told me that they played/play every weekend at the High School in downtown LA.

DO I have the option to not backshift here?

Thank you!
  

Top answer

If they still play every weekend, you can use the present tense. If they don't, you need to use the past tense

— CSnyder

  • If they still play every weekend, you can use the present tense.
  • If they don't, you need to use the past tense
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3 Answers
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If they still play every weekend, you can use the present tense. If they don't, you need to use the past tense
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CSnyderIf they still play every weekend, you can use the present tense. If they don't, you need to use the past tense
Would it be wrong to use the past tense if they still play every weekend?

What's the point of backshifting then?
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You can backshift if you want to in that case, though it would probably be clearer not to do so. The point is simply tense agreement in the reported speech.
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