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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Which is correct grammar, were or are to describe a scenerio ?

0I need help to clarify a grammar rule. I am planning a field trip for this coming weekend and like to invite a friend named John. I found out from another friend Carl that John is free this coming weekend and should be available to join the trip. If I call John to confirm, what is the correct grammer, my question to John is the following:02br
02br
001. Hey John, Carl told me yesterday that you "01b00were02b00" available this coming weekend ?02br
02br
002. Hey John, Carl told me yesterday that you "01b00are02b00" available this coming weekend ?02br
02br
00Since this coming weekend is in the future, should the linking verb be "were" or "are" in this case ?02br
02br
00Thanks in advanced !02br
02br
00Max0-
  

Top answer

"02br 02br 00So, #1 sounds normal, but #2 is just fine too. Of course, when Carl said it, John may have been free, but perhaps John has since gotten a hot date. 0-

— BarbaraPA

  • "02br 02br 00So, #1 sounds normal, but #2 is just fine too.
  • Of course, when Carl said it, John may have been free, but perhaps John has since gotten a hot date.
  • 0-
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1 Answers
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0In reported speech, we tend to shift the tense backwards.02br
02br
00You say "Your sister is pretty."02br
02br
00I say "Max told me that my sister was pretty."02br
02br
00So, #1 sounds normal, but #2 is just fine too. Of course, when Carl said it, John may have been free, but perhaps John has since gotten a hot date. 0-
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