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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
reporting on permanent, on-going, or relevant content
Hi,
1. Would you say if a person is reporting on a content that is permanent, on-going, or relevant in content nature, the reporting word could be both present and past and also, do you feel both present and past tenses are OK in the that-clause?
He said/says his house is/was in Chicago.
He said/says his favorite hobby is/was playing chess.
2. Do you feel all three ar OK? Or just the modal 'would'? I think this deals with intentions and am not sure an intention can be said to be that of on-gong in nature.
His utterance: "I want/will go to the party tomorrow"
He said that he will/would/wants go to that party tommorrow.
3. we are not sure if his house is in Chicago for some reason for a number one exam ple, would you say, what I would call a reporting word should be in present tense?
His utterance: "My house is in Chicago"
He says his house in Chicago at yesterday's party.
1. Would you say if a person is reporting on a content that is permanent, on-going, or relevant in content nature, the reporting word could be both present and past and also, do you feel both present and past tenses are OK in the that-clause?
He said/says his house is/was in Chicago.
He said/says his favorite hobby is/was playing chess.
2. Do you feel all three ar OK? Or just the modal 'would'? I think this deals with intentions and am not sure an intention can be said to be that of on-gong in nature.
His utterance: "I want/will go to the party tomorrow"
He said that he will/would/wants go to that party tommorrow.
3. we are not sure if his house is in Chicago for some reason for a number one exam ple, would you say, what I would call a reporting word should be in present tense?
His utterance: "My house is in Chicago"
He says his house in Chicago at yesterday's party.
Top answer
" I try to make all my content relevant, but sometimes fail. Often, the status of a condition or situation as to permanance or on-going-ness is common knowledge, or obvious, and sometimes it's not known to the listener or reader (as in the case of your two examples). In my opinion, the writer is free to use whatever tense is appropriate to express his intention, as long as it doesn't present an impossible situation.
- " I try to make all my content relevant, but sometimes fail.
- Often, the status of a condition or situation as to permanance or on-going-ness is common knowledge, or obvious, and sometimes it's not known to the listener or reader (as in the case of your two examples).
- In my opinion, the writer is free to use whatever tense is appropriate to express his intention, as long as it doesn't present an impossible situation.
- I suppose in the case of reported speech, one may ask whether or not the reporter is justified in assuming that a condition is ongoing.
- The original speaker may no longer have a house in Chicago, and/or may no longer care to play chess.
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3 Answers
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Hi,
I'm not sure about the expression, "content that is relevant." I try to make all my content relevant, but sometimes fail.
Often, the status of a condition or situation as to permanance or on-going-ness is common knowledge, or obvious, and sometimes it's not known to the listener or reader (as in the case of your two examples). In my opinion, the writer is free to use whatever tense
I'm not sure about the expression, "content that is relevant." I try to make all my content relevant, but sometimes fail.
Often, the status of a condition or situation as to permanance or on-going-ness is common knowledge, or obvious, and sometimes it's not known to the listener or reader (as in the case of your two examples). In my opinion, the writer is free to use whatever tense
00
Thank you so much.
How would you report this?
1. Utterance: I am going to work tomorrow.
(at today's dinner table)
He said he (was??) is going to work tomorrow.
2. Utterance: I will go to work tomorrow.
(at today's dinner table)
He said he will/would go to work tomorrow. -- I think both will work.
3. Utterance: My friend will come her
How would you report this?
1. Utterance: I am going to work tomorrow.
(at today's dinner table)
He said he (was??) is going to work tomorrow.
2. Utterance: I will go to work tomorrow.
(at today's dinner table)
He said he will/would go to work tomorrow. -- I think both will work.
3. Utterance: My friend will come her
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Hi,
These are based strictly on ear and experience.
These are based strictly on ear and experience.
Anonymous 1. Utterance: I am going to work tomorrow.
(at today's dinner table)
He said he (was??) is going to work tomorrow. He says/said he is/was going. (all four, except "He says he was . . . ")
2. Utterance: I will go to work tomorrow.
(at today's dinner table)
He said
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