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Onfvndrsqf Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

problems of reported speech

I know that if you are doing reported speech, the tense has to be shifted
"I did my job yesterday" said Peter.
"Peter said he had done his job yesterday.

but what about Peter is talking about something which still takes effect these days??

"The sun rises everyday" said Peter
is it still "Peter said the sun rose everyday"??

if so, do we have any examples that we do not need to have tense shift when doing reported speech?

many tanks
  

Top answer

If the situation reported is still valid at the time of reporting, backshifting is optional. When we are talking about universal truths, such as the sun rising every day, then it's probably more common not to backshift.

— Fivejedjon

  • If the situation reported is still valid at the time of reporting, backshifting is optional.
  • When we are talking about universal truths, such as the sun rising every day, then it's probably more common not to backshift.
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2 Answers
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If the situation reported is still valid at the time of reporting, backshifting is optional. When we are talking about universal truths, such as the sun rising every day, then it's probably more common not to backshift.
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The sun rises EVERY DAY, not everyday.
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