0
Joseph A Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Syntax

Are the sentences below correct?

1. It was said that they live here.

2. It was said that they have lived here.

3. It was said that they have been living here.

4. It's said that they have lived here.

5. It's said that they have been living here.

Regards,

JA

  

Top answer

All seem possible, at least in theory. How likely they all are to be used in practice is a different matter. (2) seems the least likely.

— GPY

  • All seem possible, at least in theory.
  • How likely they all are to be used in practice is a different matter.
  • (2) seems the least likely.
  • Of course, they do not all mean the same thing.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0

All seem possible, at least in theory. How likely they all are to be used in practice is a different matter. (2) seems the least likely. Of course, they do not all mean the same thing.

0
0
Lines 2 and 4 should be 'had lived' given "lived" is past tense.
0
0

"It was said that the world is flat."

This version would be correct. Though not necessary for quotations, given it is a general phrase not attributed to anyone in particular, "the world is flat" is not a verb, ergo, could have been said in the past. (unfortunately, it is said by some in the present)

0

Related Questions