Have had

[Tdol]

5. You need to watch what you say.

Yhe others are all at the wrong time.

[jack]

Scenario:

A: "You have a game at 6:00 today," said John.

B: Chris calls me and asks, "Why didn't you show up today?".

Do I reply back with:

1. They called me yesterday and they told me I had to play a game today and I thought it was in the evening.
2. They called me yesterday and they told me I have to play a game today and I thought it was in the evening.

Which one do I use 'had' or 'have"? I do you know?

[Tdol]

They called me yesterday and told me I had to play a game but I thought it was in the evening.


I'm not sure about your use of 'today'- it doesn't go with the original sentence, which you say was said yesterday.

[jack]

I'm not sure about your use of 'today'- it doesn't go with the original sentence, which you say was said yesterday.

I don't get it. So 'today' is wrong? Why? I'm trying to say they called me yesterday and they said I had a game today (today as in the moment I'm geting the call).
1. They called me yesterday and they told me I had to play a game today and I thought it was in the evening.

Why is this one wrong?
2. 1. They called me yesterday and they told me I have to play a game today and I thought it was in the evening.

Is this right?
3. They called me yesterday and they said, "I have to play a game tommorow", and I thought it was in the evening.

Are my quotations and commas right?
4. 3. They called me yesterday and they said, "I have to play a game tommorow", and I thought it was in the evening.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by jack

Why is this one wrong?
2. They called me yesterday and they told me I have to play a game today and I thought it was in the evening.

According to the dialogue that goes with sentence 2. , the game is over, so 'had', past tense, not 'have' present tense.

Originally Posted by jack

Is this right?
3. They called me yesterday and they said, "I have to play a game tomorrow", and I thought it was in the evening.

Since it's direct speech, you need to change "I" to "You", like this, ...they said, "You, Jack, have to play a game today/tomorrow,"....

[jack]

I seee, thanks.

Are these correct? I have 'before' here, so do I use 'haven't' or 'hadn't'? How do you know?

1. But I haven't used it before.
2. But I had’t used it before.

[jack]

Originally Posted by tdol

5. You need to watch what you say.

Yhe others are all at the wrong time.

Why aren't these correct? I don't understand.
1. You need to watch what you have said.
2. You need to watch what you had said.
3. You need to watch what you said.

Why is this one correct?
4. You need to watch what you say.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by jack

Why is this one correct?
4. You need to watch what you say.

You need to watch what you say. (Present, Modal)

[jack]

What's wrong with these ones? I can't use past tense?

1. You need to watch what you have said.
2. You need to watch what you had said.
3. You need to watch what you said.

[Casiopea]

1. You need to watch what you have said. :(
2. You need to watch what you had said. :(
3. You need to watch what you said. :(
4. You need to watch what you say. :D

Sentence 4. means, You need to be careful about the words you (are going to) use and the meaning they (will) convey. (Future)