Tense (did?)

Hi, welcome to EnglishForward [<:o)]

You can use did.

Alex

ladybird25(Talking to his brother…)
“I’m going to use mom’s car this afternoon, but please don’t tell her that I (did).”

Based on the given context, I would say "no" to using past tense.
the context was an intent to use mom's car which hasn't happened yet as he talked to his brother.
So " please don't tell her that

If you will return BEFORE your brother will see your mother, then yes.

Hi, thank you very much everyone for your replies!

I hope you don't mind my asking again...

The time sequence is as follows:

1. Mom leaves home.
2. The speaker wants to use her car while she is out.
3. The speaker does not want mom to find it out (AFTER she comes back) and tells his brother not to tell.
4. The speaker uses her car and comes back home (BEFOR

You're fine.

When you see her (in the future), don't tell her that I did (it will be in that past when this future conversation takes place).

Don't tell her I did.

Thank you very much for your help! I get it now.

Just to add another layer to this:

Let's say you are not sure you will return by the time your mother returns.

If I'm not back before Mom gets home, don't tell her I have the car.

(Let's hope it usually stays in the garage so there is a chance she won't notice, but logic aside, let's deal with the tense situation.)

At the point of this future conversation, yo

This thread got me curious....

To satsify my own querry and for discussion purpose, I made up this different but similar future scenario. I would like the experts' comments on the gramamtical aspect based on the interpretation of the story line. My personal opinion is that all the bold-color answers seem to fit the story line. But I prefer the pre

Certainly, will borrow won't work -- that sounds like you won't borrow it until he gets up. I will start dinner when you get home. I will borrow his car when he gets up.

I don't see much difference in this case been borrowed and have borrowed. I guess it depends on whether you think that the "borrowing" is the point when you take the car, or for the full duration o

Thank you very much, Grammar Geek, for the additional information.

Also, I found the queston from dimsumexpress very interesting.

Your answer helped a lot. Thanks again.