niceguyjin
New member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2010
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- New Zealand
- Current Location
- Japan
I have a question about reported speech. I think my textbook might be incorrect.
My textbook question says: Use indirect speech to report the conversation. Assume only a few minutes have passed between when the conversation happened and now.
Question: Paul: "Do you want to have a drink after work?"
Textbook answer: Paul asked if she wanted to have a drink after work.
This answer looks OK, BUT, remember only a few minutes have passed since the original conversation and now, so the act of having a drink after work must pertain to the future.
The same textbook explains a grammar rule that when a statement pertains to the future, the verb doesn't have to be backshifted a tense.
So shouldn't the answer be: Paul asked if she wants to have a drink after work.
Thanks in advance for any help!
My textbook question says: Use indirect speech to report the conversation. Assume only a few minutes have passed between when the conversation happened and now.
Question: Paul: "Do you want to have a drink after work?"
Textbook answer: Paul asked if she wanted to have a drink after work.
This answer looks OK, BUT, remember only a few minutes have passed since the original conversation and now, so the act of having a drink after work must pertain to the future.
The same textbook explains a grammar rule that when a statement pertains to the future, the verb doesn't have to be backshifted a tense.
So shouldn't the answer be: Paul asked if she wants to have a drink after work.
Thanks in advance for any help!