0
Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Which tense to use?
Could anyone help me with the following sentences and tell me which one is correct?
1. Last Saturday, I told my wife not to forget to close the window before she went to bed; but she didn't.
2. Last Saturday, I told my wife not to forget to close the window before she goes to bed; but she didn't.
3. Last Saturday, I told my wife not to forget to close the window before going to bed; but she didn't.
Thank you
1. Last Saturday, I told my wife not to forget to close the window before she went to bed; but she didn't.
2. Last Saturday, I told my wife not to forget to close the window before she goes to bed; but she didn't.
3. Last Saturday, I told my wife not to forget to close the window before going to bed; but she didn't.
Thank you
Top answer
Hello Anon All three are correct. In #1, you recount a particular incident. In #2, you recount how you asked your wife to observe a general rule; but that same night, she didn't.
- Hello Anon All three are correct.
- In #1, you recount a particular incident.
- In #2, you recount how you asked your wife to observe a general rule; but that same night, she didn't.
- #3 could mean either #1 or #2.
- e.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
Hello Anon
All three are correct.
In #1, you recount a particular incident.
In #2, you recount how you asked your wife to observe a general rule; but that same night, she didn't.
#3 could mean either #1 or #2.
However, the last clause is a little misleading: it would be more idiomatic to say "but she did" (i.e. she did forget), rather than "but she didn
All three are correct.
In #1, you recount a particular incident.
In #2, you recount how you asked your wife to observe a general rule; but that same night, she didn't.
#3 could mean either #1 or #2.
However, the last clause is a little misleading: it would be more idiomatic to say "but she did" (i.e. she did forget), rather than "but she didn
00
(sorry to repeat the post from another thread; I feel it's quite an important matter)
Indeed, MrPedantic.
Wrt #2:
From the best authority,
back-shifting (from present to past) in the subordinate isn't mandatory:
------
Finally, I give some examples in which the tense has not been adjusted
to that of the chief [main] verb:
Indeed, MrPedantic.
Wrt #2:
From the best authority,
back-shifting (from present to past) in the subordinate isn't mandatory:
------
Finally, I give some examples in which the tense has not been adjusted
to that of the chief [main] verb:
0
Related Questions