synthesis and transformation

I say "needs."

There's been a lot of discussion about this on the Forums lately. Some say to stick with the tense of the main verb. Others say that if the context suggests we're talking about facts which will not change, then the verb in the relative clause should be present tense.

Edit. Are we talking photosynthesis here?

Then what about:

You must finish your homework first. Then you can go and play.
Unless:

Unless you finish your homework, you cannot go and play.
Unless you finish your homework first, you cannot go and play.

I would accept both. It will depend on the purpose of the exercise.

The 1st is a factual statement and therefore should accept "needs" in the present tense format.

The 2nd can be seen as a reported speech and if the original sentence is in present tense, then when it is being reported it should be in past tense, i.e. needed.

Anonymous Unless you finish your homework, you cannot go and play.
Unless you finish your homework first, you cannot go and play.

Hi. I don't see this as a tense issue, but as purely contextual. Maybe I'm missing something. - A.

Mrs Lee told us that the morning glory needs plenty of sunlight.

Anonymous Mrs Lee told us that the morning glory needs plenty of sunlight.
Mrs Lee told us that the morning glory needed plenty of sunlight.

Which sentence is correct?

AnonymousI would accept both. It will depend on the purpose of the exercise.

The 1st is a factual statement and therefore should accept "nee

Mrs lee told us that the morning glory needs plenty of sunlight

Mrs Lee told us that the morning glory needs plenty of sunlight.

-It is a fact, that's why it's in present tense.

The correct answer is the first option.
"Mrs Lee told us that the morning glory needs plenty of sunlight".
Firstly, this is because this is a universal truth and today, a morning glory still needs plenty of sunlight.
Secondly, the second option says that the morning glory needed plenty of sunlight.
So, by saying this, this sente

the first one. trust me.