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Guyper Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Reported Speech
Hi. I'd like to know if the Reported Speech always has to to be in past tense even if you reported a speech right after the speaker's original speech a few seconds ago
Person A: "Where do you guys want to eat?"
Person B: "What did he say?"
Person C: "He asked where we wanted to eat."
Or
Person C: "He asks where we want to eat."
Thank you
Person A: "Where do you guys want to eat?"
Person B: "What did he say?"
Person C: "He asked where we wanted to eat."
Or
Person C: "He asks where we want to eat."
Thank you
Top answer
The only time the present tense would be acceptable is if you're translating.
- The only time the present tense would be acceptable is if you're translating.
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3 Answers
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The only time the present tense would be acceptable is if you're translating.
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Hi.
As for your question, the reported speech does not neccessarily need to be in the past form but not in the occation you cited.
The tense in reported speech can remain in present form if the described situation or condition is still true.
Ex. He said : "I am a teacher"
if you want to change the following sentence, you do not need to change it into pas
As for your question, the reported speech does not neccessarily need to be in the past form but not in the occation you cited.
The tense in reported speech can remain in present form if the described situation or condition is still true.
Ex. He said : "I am a teacher"
if you want to change the following sentence, you do not need to change it into pas
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Yes, the reported speech can sometimes be present-tense ("He said he's in pain"), but it should always be "he said" rather than "he says" unless you're actively translating someone's speech.
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