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In this sentence, the person is referring to a question that was asked in the past but a condition that is current. Can the past and present tense be used in this case or should it be "Why did you ask me if they had any allergies?"

Laurel
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Angela
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    Both present and past can be used here. – GEdgar Nov 07 '21 at 14:46
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    If the the question was asked in 1970, you obviously have to use a past tense. – Centaurus Nov 07 '21 at 14:55
  • Both are okay; the "backshift" is optional. – Tinfoil Hat Nov 07 '21 at 15:51
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    Both are grammatical; the 'backshift' is optional unless, as Centaurus says, there is a compelling reason to backshift ('they' have all since died; there was a long time between the possibility of their having allergies (think 'the British at Waterloo') and the question; the question itself was many years ago (1970)). – Edwin Ashworth Nov 07 '21 at 16:41

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