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Old 14-Dec-2007, 14:15
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Default If clause in reported speech

I have a sentence, is my form of if structure correct?
Lanny: "Tomorrow the concert takes place. How could you change your mind? You said your mother woulnd't allow you to go out if you didn't/hadn't/don't go to the concert."
Please show me the correct verb form in bold, thanks in advance
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Old 14-Dec-2007, 14:31
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Default Re: If clause in reported speech

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Originally Posted by belly_ttt View Post
I have a sentence, is my form of if structure correct?
Lanny: "Tomorrow the concert takes place. How could you change your mind? You said your mother woulnd't allow you to go out if you didn't/hadn't/don't go to the concert."
Please show me the correct verb form in bold, thanks in advance
You said your mother wouldn't allow you to go out if you didn't/don't go to the concert."
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Old 15-Dec-2007, 02:27
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Default Re: If clause in reported speech

How can we use don't here because it is an indirect speech?
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Old 15-Dec-2007, 14:48
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Default Re: If clause in reported speech

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Originally Posted by belly_ttt View Post
How can we use don't here because it is an indirect speech?
There is no absolute compulsion to "backshift" when reporting speech, Belly. I've said it many times but it bears repeating. This backshift has nothing to do with past time or past tense. It's only the FORM that is used as a signal to show that we are reporting the speech as opposed to a direct quote.

But, in fact, when something is still current, we often do not backshift, especially in speech.
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