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Vsuresh Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Reported Speech

Hi
Please help me with this sentence.

She said," It is high time we thought of settling this issue."

She said that it was high time we/they had thought of settling that issue.
  

Top answer

She said (that) it was high time we/they thought of settling that/this issue. If "we" includes the person who is reporting the speech then use "we", otherwise use "they". Use "this" if the issue also feels close to the person who is reporting the speech, otherwise use "that".

— GPY

  • She said (that) it was high time we/they thought of settling that/this issue.
  • If "we" includes the person who is reporting the speech then use "we", otherwise use "they".
  • Use "this" if the issue also feels close to the person who is reporting the speech, otherwise use "that".
  • You can also use "it is high time" if the matter is of immediate relevance.
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4 Answers
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She said (that) it was high time we/they thought of settling that/this issue.

If "we" includes the person who is reporting the speech then use "we", otherwise use "they". Use "this" if the issue also feels close to the person who is reporting the speech, otherwise use "that".

You can also use "it is high time" if the matter is of immediate relevance.
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GPYIf "we" includes the person who is reporting the speech then use "we", otherwise use "they". Use "this" if the issue also feels close to the person who is reporting the speech, otherwise use "that".
Thank you very muchGPY.
I knew this; I mentioned it for possible answers.

I have doubt with why we don't back shift thought to
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vsureshI have doubt with why we don't back shift thought to had thought here.
Because in this case "thought" is subjunctive or "unreal" past tense, not an ordinary temporal past tense.
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GPYBecause in this case "thought" is subjunctive or "unreal" past tense, not an ordinary temporal past tense.
Thank you,GPY.
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