Told me that..
Hi,
“He told me that he had hit his head.”
“He told me that he hit his head.”
I’ve noticed over the years that when it’s clear which event comes first, there’s no need to follow the rules of tense consistency.
Is it true that both of the above-wirtten sentences are valid?
Thank you.
Top answer
” This is the plain way to say that he told you of a collision involving his head no matter when it happened. ” This is only needed when it is needed. " The one thing happened before the other, and the sequence matters.
- ” This is the plain way to say that he told you of a collision involving his head no matter when it happened.
- ” This is only needed when it is needed.
- " The one thing happened before the other, and the sequence matters.
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Ann225“He told me that he hit his head.”
This is the plain way to say that he told you of a collision involving his head no matter when it happened.
Ann225“He told me that he had hit his head.”
This is only needed when it is needed. "He told me that he had hit his head, and that is why he was unconscious when the z
0Ann225I’ve noticed over the years that when it’s clear which event comes first, there’s no need to follow the rules of tense consistency.
Right. And it's always clear with "told ... that" because you can never tell anyone what happened until after it happens.
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