Sentence correction

Question

Which of these sentences is correct:He said that he felt better as the match went on, and hinted that he would be ready for the next match if they chose him.He said he felt better as the match went on, and hinted that he will be ready for the next match if the choose him.Are both possible? I am not sure about what is after the comma, which is the difference between them.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymous-
hinted that he would be ready for the next match if they chose him. ...
hinted that he will be ready for the next match if they choose him.

Both are correct. It's about a choice to be made in the future.

hinted that sets up a situation where you match with past tense forms (would, chose), so these can be used there after that past tense (hinted). But because it's a future situation, you can use will and choose directly — without matching hinted.

Either way the meaning is the same. If you use the first one, the listener understands that would means will and chose means choose in that context because he knows you're just matching tenses with hinted.

Most speakers use the first one.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks. That was a very clear explanation.

CalifJimhinted that sets up a situation where you match with past tense forms (would, chose), so these can be used there after that past tense (hinted). But because it's a future situation, you can use will and choose directly — without matching hinted.

I got a bit confused because of the concept direct and indirect speech. I thought that if I did not match hinted, I would have to quote it, or does that concept not apply here?

Can I also not match a future situation if I used the word 'said' instead of 'hinted? (eg. and said that he will/would be ready for the next match if they choose/chose him).

Lastly, are there mandatory and optional cases for matching tenses. You have made it clear that most speaker match, but I am just curious about what cases would be correct without matching.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI thought that if I did not match hinted, I would have to quote it, or does that concept not apply here?

In my opinion it doesn't apply here. To me it sounds OK without quoting it. (Usually I'm on the other side of this choice, however.)

AnonymousCan I also not match a future situation if I used the word 'said' instead of 'hinted?

Yes. Here again I should say that the choosing seems so obviously to be a future possibility that either option sounds OK.

AnonymousLastly, are there mandatory and optional cases for matching tenses. You have made it clear that most speaker match, but I am just curious about what cases would be correct without matching.

I don't think there is a definite line between matching and not matching. There is no exact characteristic of the sentence that stands out obviously as the one thing that enables us to make that choice. You need to remember though, that matching is always correct, so use matching whenever you are in doubt.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much for the valuable information and advice.

CalifJimYes. Here again I should say that the choosing seems so obviously to be a future possibility that either option sounds OK.

I understand that if the statment is an obvious future possiblity either option is possible, and it is the only case where it would be OK not to match. However, other statements that are not future possibilities have to be matched. Have I understood correctly?

I will make sure to follow your advice and be on the other side of the choice as you

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymousother statements that are not future possibilities have to be matched. Have I understood correctly?

Yes. That is generally true.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Great. I am glad I have clarified this issue. Thanks again teacher <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Anonymous · Answer

Hello again teacher,

I would like to ask you about these sentences:

I made it clear that you had to be very cautious with the equipment.
I made it clear that you have to be very cautious with the equipment.

I told you it was important to maintain the quality.
I told you it is important to maintain the quality.

I told you that you had to clean everything once you were done.
I told you that you have to clean everything once you are done.
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I know that you told be to match whenever in doubt. But I would like to know if the unmatched ones are possible. Because not sure if the unmatched ones are considered as future situations.

Thanks again.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI would like to know if the unmatched ones are possible.

They are. In all three cases, especially those with "have to", you are giving advice that can apply to any time period, including the future.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you. So here both the matched and unmatched are possible, correct?

Would you still go with the matched version if it were you? Is it more common?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousSo here both the matched and unmatched are possible, correct?

Correct.

AnonymousWould you still go with the matched version if it were you?

Yes.

AnonymousIs it more common?

Yes. I don't have any statistics on it, but that's my best guess.

CJ

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