Tenses

[Kenneth]

Dear teachers,

I am very confused about the following things:

1) "He said turtles are endangered animals" or "He said turtles were endangered animals"?

2) "The Minister said he will propose the matter at the Cabinet" or "The Minister said he would propose the matter at the Cabinet"?

3) "Prior to this it had been* easy to meet up with friends as there was hardly any time constrain." *is it has been or had been?

Hope that you could point me out. Thanks!

Regards,
Kenneth Lee

[Teia]

Dear teachers,

I am very confused about the following things:

1) "He said turtles are endangered animals" or "He said turtles were endangered animals"?

2) "The Minister said he will propose the matter at the Cabinet" or "The Minister said he would propose the matter at the Cabinet"?

3) "Prior to this it had been* easy to meet up with friends as there was hardly any time constrain." *is it has been or had been?

Hope that you could point me out. Thanks!

Regards,
Kenneth Lee

1. a]He said turtles are endangered animals - general truth
b]He said turtles were endangered animals - means that some time in the past "turtles were endangered animals but now they aren`t any longer".
In my opinion, turtles are not endangered animals.
2. The Minister said he would propose the matter at the Cabinet -correct; Sequence of tenses
3. had been - an action which took place in the past before another one in the past

[Kenneth]

Thank you so much teia_petrescu.

I know turtles are not endangered animals; I only used that as an example. :D

[Harry Smith]

1. a]He said turtles are endangered animals - general truth
b]He said turtles were endangered animals - means that some time in the past "turtles were endangered animals but now they aren`t any longer".
In my opinion, turtles are not endangered animals.
2. The Minister said he would propose the matter at the Cabinet -correct; Sequence of tenses
3. had been - an action which took place in the past before another one in the past

Hi, Teia!
But Alligator Snapping Turtles are endandered animals because they only breed once a year. They are facing extinction because they are killed for their meat which is often used in soups or sold in restaurants.

[Teia]

Hi, Teia!
But Alligator Snapping Turtles are endandered animals because they only breed once a year. They are facing extinction because they are killed for their meat which is often used in soups or sold in restaurants.

Oh, I didn`t know about this species of turtles.As a matter of fact I was thinking of turtle doves.
Thank you.

[Harry Smith]

Oh, I didn`t know about this species of turtles.As a matter of fact I was thinking of turtle doves.
Thank you.

You are most welcome!