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Viceidol Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
She told me that John (had) phoned.
Hello, I'd like to ask if all the following sentences are correct.
original words: John phoned.
reported words: She told me that John had phoned.
She told me that John phoned. (Is it possible to leave out "had "?(Using past tence instead of past perfect tence)
original words: The toast was burned.
reported words: She told me that the toast was burned. (Is it possible to use past tence instead of past perfect tence here?)
She told me that the toast had been burned.
Please help me with my question, thank you!Top answer
Hi Viceidol The simple past rather than the past perfect is frequently/usually used in everyday English as long as the meaning is clear in the context. In more formal English and for English tests, you should stick with the rules which tell you that the simple past tense becomes the past perfect in reported speech.
- Hi Viceidol The simple past rather than the past perfect is frequently/usually used in everyday English as long as the meaning is clear in the context.
- In more formal English and for English tests, you should stick with the rules which tell you that the simple past tense becomes the past perfect in reported speech.
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2 Answers
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Hi Viceidol
The simple past rather than the past perfect is frequently/usually used in everyday English as long as the meaning is clear in the context.
In more formal English and for English tests, you should stick with the rules which tell you that the simple past tense becomes the past perfect in reported speech.
The simple past rather than the past perfect is frequently/usually used in everyday English as long as the meaning is clear in the context.
In more formal English and for English tests, you should stick with the rules which tell you that the simple past tense becomes the past perfect in reported speech.
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YankeeHi ViceidolI agree. Howe
The simple past rather than the past perfect is frequently/usually used in everyday English as long as the meaning is clear in the context.
In more formal English and for English tests, you should stick with the rules which tell you that the simple past tense becomes the past perfect in reported speech.
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