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Guest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Reported speech
1. How far it is allowed to use present tense in reported speech?
2. Can both present and past tense be used in reported speech at the same time?
2. Can both present and past tense be used in reported speech at the same time?
Top answer
(1) Generally, present tense can be used any time that the situation still obtains: 'He remarked that the earth was/is round'. (2) Do you mean in the quoted clause itself? 'He remarked that the earth is round so he wouldn't have been able to sail his boat off the edge even if they had offered him a fortune to do so'.
- (1) Generally, present tense can be used any time that the situation still obtains: 'He remarked that the earth was/is round'.
- (2) Do you mean in the quoted clause itself?
- 'He remarked that the earth is round so he wouldn't have been able to sail his boat off the edge even if they had offered him a fortune to do so'.
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1 Answers
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(1) Generally, present tense can be used any time that the situation still obtains: 'He remarked that the earth was/is round'.
(2) Do you mean in the quoted clause itself? 'He remarked that the earth is round so he wouldn't have been able to sail his boat off the edge even if they had offered him a fortune to do so'.
(2) Do you mean in the quoted clause itself? 'He remarked that the earth is round so he wouldn't have been able to sail his boat off the edge even if they had offered him a fortune to do so'.
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