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Questions tagged [backshifting]

The changing of a present tense in direct speech to a past tense in reported speech

The changing of a present tense in direct speech to a past tense in reported speech (or a past tense to pluperfect).

Example: 'If the sentence starts in the past, there is often backshift of tenses in Reported speech.'

Links:
https://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/backshift

Also see:
What is "backshifting", as applied to English grammar?

120 questions
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The old couple told the police that they were watching T.V. at the time of the break in

In the following sentence: The old couple told the police that they were watching T.V. at the time of the break in why aren't we using 'had been': The old couple told the police that they had been watching T.V. at the time of the break in Or are…
user73373
3
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3 answers

Indirect speech, tense shift in clauses of second degree

I'm reading Hunger Games. Katniss and Peeta are being prepared for the Arena by special instructors. The plant instructor says: Avoid berries unless you are 100 percent sure they aren't toxic. How would you fill in the gaps? Our plant instructor…
rogermue
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1 answer

I'd appreciate it if + + until +

These three examples have the same construction of I'd appreciate it if you + past tense verb + ... + until + subject + present or past tense verb... The first one has the present tense verb finish after until whereas the other two have the past…
JK2
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1
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1 answer

Using the word "if" without having to use the word "then"

Is it acceptable to use the word "if" in the following reflection as in an oblique suspicion and not have to use the word "then"? One question is: with all the money he has saved so far in not using campaign money to gain public attention…
Passacaglia
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I thought...WAS vs. I thought ....IS?

I read this phrase: "I thought your essay about Internet WAS very accurate" I wonder why the past tense is used in here! Doesn't it have to be: "I thought your essay about Internet IS very accurate"? Thanks all in advance.
user72562
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How to interpret a reported speech

Ex 1) Direct speech: He said " We lived here for 5 years" Indirect speech : He told me that they had lived there for 5 years. Ex 2) Direct speech: He said " We have lived here for 5 years" Indirect speech: He told me that they had lived there for…
user394556
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0
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1 answer

"Backshifting" in English

Can anyone please tell me if there is any need to backshift the tense? Here is the example: Yesterday, as a consultant I went to meet my friend Peter who has been found guilty of fraud. He claimed that he is/was not guilty of any fraud. Can I use…
user282192
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0
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I have forgotten what you look/looked like

Which one is correct? I have forgotten what you look like. I have forgotten what you looked like. I guess I have forgotten what you looked like. because logically I saw the person in the past, so I saw them the way they looked like in the…
Sandeepan Nath
  • 267