Tense after Main Verb in Past Tense

Question

Hi. Could anyone please discuss the differences between [1-1] and [1-2], and [2-1], [2-2] and [2-3]?

[1-1] I gathered the temporary working visa is a working visa that is issued only for a specific short period.

[1-2] I gathered the temporary working visa was a working visa that was issued only for a specific short period.

[2-1] I gathered a bruising tailback is a tailback who bruises the opposing players.

[2-2] I gathered a bruising tailback was a tailback who bruises the opposing players.

[2-3] I gathered a bruising tailback was a tailback who bruised the opposing players.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Hiro

Sendai, Japan

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

[1-1] I gathered [that] the temporary working visa is a working visa that is issued only for a specific short period.

[1-2] I gathered [that] the temporary working visa was a working visa that was issued only for a specific short period.

This is reported speech. Check Swan.

1 indicates that the thing might still be true (a generally true, time-independent, statement).
2 indicates you might want to say that the thing was true only at the time of saying it in the past.

I'd say 2 is common in reported speech about past (gathered/understood) situations, 1 is less so.

Philip · Answer

Marius Hancu

[1-1] I gathered [that] the temporary working visa is a working visa that is issued only for a specific short period.

[1-2] I gathered [that] the temporary working visa was a working visa that was issued only for a specific short period.

This is reported speech. Check Swan.

1 indicates that the thing might still be true (a generally true, time-independent, statement).
2 indicates you might want to say that the thing was true only at the time of saying it in the past.

I'd say 2 is common in reported speech about past (gathered/understood) situations, 1 is less so.

The highlighted words can be omitted, as well, to help with the problem. [Personal note here, I really do not like the word "gathered" in this sense. I know it is used by many, but I far prefer "presumed", "assumed", or even simply "thought".]

HSS · Answer

HSS
[2-1] I gathered a bruising tailback is a tailback who bruises the opposing players.

[2-2] I gathered a bruising tailback was a tailback who bruises the opposing players.

[2-3] I gathered a bruising tailback was a tailback who bruised the opposing players.

How about the latter set? Since this is talking about a definition that normally stays unchanged, [2-1] is appropriate, isn't it? But if the speaker is somewhat uncertain, should he/she use [2-3]? Or, if later in the paragraph it is mentioned that he/she found that it is not true, should he/she use [2-3]?

Many thanks.

Hiro

Tense after Main Verb in Past Tense

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