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Dowser54 Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Reported speech

If that happens, I'll be ready.

He said that if that happened, he would be ready. Or:"He said that if that happens, he'll be ready"

I know the first one makes much more sense, but I've heard that if/when clauses are exceptions.

  

Top answer

If "that" is still in the future at the time the speech is reported then you can use either. The second one feels more vivid or immediate. If "that" is now in the past at the time the speech is reported then you can't use the second one.

  • If "that" is still in the future at the time the speech is reported then you can use either.
  • The second one feels more vivid or immediate.
  • If "that" is now in the past at the time the speech is reported then you can't use the second one.
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1 Answers
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If "that" is still in the future at the time the speech is reported then you can use either. The second one feels more vivid or immediate. If "that" is now in the past at the time the speech is reported then you can't use the second one.

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