the sequence of tenses in indirect question

[YOSHITAKEHORI]

The sequence of tenses is required in indirect question?
Would anyone please tell me?
For examle,
1.Do you know who he is?
2.Did you know who he is? (incorrect?)
3.Did you kno who he was?
4.He asked me how old he is? (incorrect?)
Thank you in advance.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by YOSHITAKEHORI

The sequence of tenses is required in indirect question?
Would anyone please tell me?
For examle,
1.Do you know who he is?
2.Did you know who he is? (incorrect?)
3.Did you kno who he was?
4.He asked me how old he is? (incorrect?)
Thank you in advance.

The tenses in subordiante clauses do not have to agree with the main clause. It is very common that we do that with the past tense, but it is based on logic.

1. correct
2. also correct (one can assume he is still who he was)
3. correct (even though he is still who he was)
4. incorrect (he is not necessarily the same age now)

[YOSHITAKEHORI]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

The tenses in subordiante clauses do not have to agree with the main clause. It is very common that we do that with the past tense, but it is based on logic.

1. correct
2. also correct (one can assume he is still who he was)
3. correct (even though he is still who he was)
4. incorrect (he is not necessarily the same age now)

MikeNewYork,

Thank you for your reply! But I don't still understand it.
(Sorry but I cannot explain well how I don't understand)
How about the following sentences?

Did you watch how I threw the ball at that game?
Did you watch how I had thrown the ball at that game?

Thank you.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by YOSHITAKEHORI

MikeNewYork,

Thank you for your reply! But I don't still understand it.
(Sorry but I cannot explain well how I don't understand)
How about the following sentences?

Did you watch how I threw the ball at that game?
Did you watch how I had thrown the ball at that game?

Thank you.

The first is fine. The second uses the past perfect in the second clause. That doesn't work.

[dihen]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

incorrect (he is not necessarily the same age now)

Is it correct if he is still the same age?

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by dihen

Is it correct if he is still the same age?

Yes, if it was recent.

[YOSHITAKEHORI]

MikeNewYork

Thank you very much!

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by YOSHITAKEHORI

MikeNewYork

Thank you very much!

You're welcome.