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PreciousJones Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Present perfect/indirect speech

1. I was in Indiana looking for manufacturers and suppliers for a product I had invented/ have invented/ invented.

What would a native say? And can the past perfect be used here since the invention was created prior to the trip?

I know that backshifting is never wrong but for these situations what Jason said to me was immediately reported to my other friend Janelle. So, do I have to backshift then?

2. Jason said he isn't coming. Or

Jason said he wasn't coming.

Are both okay to use?

3. Jason told me he couldn't make it. Or

Jason told me he can't make it.

Are both okay to use?

Thank yoU!
  

Top answer

PreciousJones 1. What would a native say? a product I invented.

— CalifJim

  • PreciousJones 1.
  • What would a native say?
  • a product I invented.
  • PreciousJones 2.
  • Jason said he isn't coming.
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3 Answers
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PreciousJones1. I was in Indiana looking for manufacturers and suppliers for a product I had invented/ have invented/ invented.What would a native say?
a product I invented.
PreciousJones2. Jason said he isn't coming. OrJason said he wasn't coming.Are both okay to use?
Yes. The first is an "immediate report". The second is
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CalifJim PreciousJones1. I was in Indiana looking for manufacturers and suppliers for a product I had invented/ have invented/ invented.What would a native say?a product I invented.PreciousJones2. Jason said he isn't coming. OrJason said he wasn't coming.Are both okay to use?Yes. The first is an "immediate report". The second is either "immediate" or "delayed". If this is
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PreciousJonesBut what if the invention was done prior to our Indiana trip? Wouldn't we use the past perfect tense?
You could use past perfect, but you don't have to. I don't think most people would bother to be so precise. It's obvious that if you're looking for someone to manufacture and/or supply the product, the product has already been invented.
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