Which question is correct? & Wish + modal verbs
Hello teachers.
Can you tell me which question is correct?
1) If she told me (that) you aren't her best friend, what would you do?
2) If she told you (that) you weren't her best friend, what would yo do?
I'm confused because I see reported speech here and I have been taught to use a "backshift" in reported speech, although I've seen some examples of questions like these above without using a "backshift".
One more thing.
What is the difference between : I wish I could have flown there. / I wish I had flown there.
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
park cobra 476 I'm confused because I see reported speech here and I have been taught to use a "backshift" in reported speech, although I've seen some examples of questions like these above without using a "backshift". #2 is undoubtedly correct. Yes, sometimes it is seen that the speech is reported without backshift; it happens when what is reported is felt to be relevant in the present.
- park cobra 476 I'm confused because I see reported speech here and I have been taught to use a "backshift" in reported speech, although I've seen some examples of questions like these above without using a "backshift".
- #2 is undoubtedly correct.
- Yes, sometimes it is seen that the speech is reported without backshift; it happens when what is reported is felt to be relevant in the present.
- However, I think native speakers prefer to use backshift even in such cases.
- park cobra 476 What is the difference between : I wish I could have flown there.
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park cobra 476I'm confused because I see reported speech here and I have been taught to use a "backshift" in reported speech, although I've seen some examples of questions like these above without using a "backshift".
#2 is undoubtedly correct.
Yes, sometimes it is seen that the speech is reported without backshift; it happens when what is reported is felt to be releva
0park cobra 476Can you tell me which question is correct?
2) It is always correct to backshift. You can even say
Of course we all knew that the moon went around the earth.
The second verb takes on a sort of modal value. We know it does not literally indicate past time; it's just a match of tenses with the verb in the main clause. We easily ad
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