Third time

Question

Hi there,This is the third time I post to you but no response!I will post the same question and hope to get help this time.Why does the verb 'was' remain unchanged when reported in the past and doesn't change into 'had been'?For example, the the question:' What was the last book you read?' becomes 'He asked what the last book you had read was.'Thanks

Dave Phillips · Accepted Answer

Because was/were are already in the past tense.  Had been is the past participle.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Do not make duplicate posts, Anon. Instead, have some care in looking for your original post. I have already answered you here:

If you register as a member, you will be able to find your own posts.

Anonymous · Answer

Mister MicawberDo not make duplicate posts, Anon. Instead, have some care in looking for your original post. I have already answered you here:http://www.EnglishForward.com/English/IndirectQuestion/pwxxl/post.htmIf you register as a member, you will be able to find your own posts.

Thanks for answering my post Mr Mister.

I have been trying to register,but there has always been a problem with the page, which shows 'page error'.Anyway,your answer seems to agree with how I understand reported speech,but the problem is that the example itself comes from a grammar book.They report the question the way you saw it in my previous post and that made me post my question in order to see if there is a rationale for the why they answered that way-and I guess I still need further elaboration on that .

I have another question regarding the same sentence;is it possible to report the question this way?

He asked what the last book you had read had been.The original question being,'What was the last book you read?'

Many thanks

Mister Micawber · Answer

He asked what the last book you had read had been.The original question being,'What was the last book you read?'-- No. We don't use past perfect in the subordinate clause when it already appears in the matrix clause.

Anonymous · Answer

Mister MicawberHe asked what the last book you had read had been.The original question being,'What was the last book you read?'-- No. We don't use past perfect in the subordinate clause when it already appears in the matrix clause.

Could you explain where the martix clause is in my example?

Regards.

Mister Micawber · Answer

There are 3 clauses in the sentence:

He asked [what the last book [you read] had been].

'You read' is imbedded within the clause 'what the last book had been', so 'what the last book had been' is the matrix clause for the subordinate clause 'you read'.

'what the last book you read had been' is imbedded (actually, just attached) to the clause 'He asked', so 'He asked' is the matrix clause for the subordinate clause 'what the last book you read had been'.

Namrata Arora · Answer

Anonymous'He asked what the last book you had read was.'

The answer is right there in front of you! Here is a hint:

"read" has changed into "had read"
Why?
"was" does not play the role given to "read" in the sentence.

Take a guess now!

Anonymous · Answer

Namrata Arora
Anonymous'He asked what the last book you had read was.'
The answer is right there in front of you! Here is a hint:"read" has changed into "had read"Why?"was" does not play the role given to "read" in the sentence.Take a guess now!

Hello,again,

Things are getting confusing now as I see you don't agree with Mr Mister.You see that the sentence should be:He asked what the last book you had read was,and forgive me for not being able to have a good guess even with your hint.I need clear explanation,especially why you don't agree with Mr Mister that it is 'was ' that has to be 'had been' .

Best regards.

Third time

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