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Damironi Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Tense Change
Please tell me if the below sentence is grammatically correct. I am not a native American and English is not my mother language, which is why I am still having difficulties understanding when the tenses need to be changed and when not. The below is what I said to a friend of mine yesterday.
You should have asked him if he is coming tommorow. Should I have replaced a verb IS with WAS?
Thank you in advance for your help and time.
You should have asked him if he is coming tommorow. Should I have replaced a verb IS with WAS?
Thank you in advance for your help and time.
Top answer
CJ says backshifting is never incorrect, but I prefer "is" in this particular case.
- CJ says backshifting is never incorrect, but I prefer "is" in this particular case.
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2 Answers
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CJ says backshifting is never incorrect, but I prefer "is" in this particular case.
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Hi Damironi
Probably many grammar books will suggest that you must use was in your sentence. That would be grammatically correct.
However, because "is coming" refers to something that is still in the future (i.e. "tomorrow"), there is really is no problem if you use is, particularly in casual conversation.
Probably many grammar books will suggest that you must use was in your sentence. That would be grammatically correct.
However, because "is coming" refers to something that is still in the future (i.e. "tomorrow"), there is really is no problem if you use is, particularly in casual conversation.
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