is/ was

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,

I met an American the other day. He was a nice guy and we became friends. He said he was going to visit Kyoto.

In the sentence above, is it wrong to say, "He said he is going to visit Kyoto"?


Thank you!

[SirGod]

* Not a teacher

I think that you will be understood if you do so, but it is incorrect. If there's a past tense in the main clause, we must use a past tense in the subordinate clause unless it's a general truth (not your case).

[5jj]

I think that you will be understood if you do so, but it is incorrect. If there's a past tense in the main clause, we must use a past tense in the subordinate clause unless it's a general truth (not your case).

I do not agree. If, at the time of reporting the conversation, the visit is still in the future, we can use either 'was' or 'is;.