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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

Puzzled with reported speech

Hi,

I picked up a newspaper and found that the reported speech were widely used this way, e.g.

- William, education program director, said the two vaccines ARE aimed at preventing meningitis, hepatitis B......

- Medical specialists diagnosed that my daugther SUFFERS from......

- Contrary to media reports, they said they DO not intend to give he up.....

Why past tense are not used? Isn't past tense more formal and shouldn't newspaper use formal English?

Thanks

Hong Konger
  

Top answer

g. - William, education program director, said the two vaccines ARE aimed at preventing meningitis, hepatitis B...... - Medical specialists diagnosed that my daugther SUFFERS from......

— Clive

  • g.
  • - William, education program director, said the two vaccines ARE aimed at preventing meningitis, hepatitis B......
  • - Medical specialists diagnosed that my daugther SUFFERS from......
  • - Contrary to media reports, they said they DO not intend to give he up.....
  • Why is past tense not used?
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2 Answers
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Hi,

I picked up a newspaper and found that the reported speech was widely used this way, e.g.

- William, education program director, said the two vaccines ARE aimed at preventing meningitis, hepatitis B......

- Medical specialists diagnosed that my daugther SUFFERS from......
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Why past tense are not used? Isn't past tense more formal and shouldn't newspaper use formal English?
The most formal English is found in academic research papers, not in newspapers. As far as I'm aware, no one believes newspapers should use formal English. Consistently correct English is challenge enough for most of them!

However, that's besi
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