sb70012
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2013
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- Persian
- Home Country
- Iran
- Current Location
- Iran
Hello dear all, this is written in my book:
When a reporting verb is in the simple past tense, backshifting is optional when:
1. the statement refers to something JUST said:
Direct = Alex just called. He said, “The director is leaving.”
Indirect = Alex just called. He said (that) the director is leaving.
or
Indirect = Alex just called. He said (that) the director was leaving.
**************************************************************************************
2. the direct speech refers to something that’s still true:
Direct = Jennifer said, “I need to renew my passport.”
Indirect = Jennifer said that she needed to renew her passport.
or
Indirect = Jennifer said that she needs to renew her passport.
***************************************************************************************
3. the direct speech refers to a scientific or general truth:
Direct = He found, “the Earth is the fifth largest planet in the solar system.”
Indirect = He noted that the Earth is the fifth largest planet in the solar system.
or
Indirect = He noted that the Earth was the fifth largest planet in the solar system.
****************************************************************************************
I have problem understanding or recognizing the category of sentences explained in #2 explanation.
What does #2 really mean by saying "2. the direct speech refers to something that’s still true:"
Would you please be nice enough to give me an other example or a sentence which refers to explanation of number #2?
Thank you.
When a reporting verb is in the simple past tense, backshifting is optional when:
1. the statement refers to something JUST said:
Direct = Alex just called. He said, “The director is leaving.”
Indirect = Alex just called. He said (that) the director is leaving.
or
Indirect = Alex just called. He said (that) the director was leaving.
**************************************************************************************
2. the direct speech refers to something that’s still true:
Direct = Jennifer said, “I need to renew my passport.”
Indirect = Jennifer said that she needed to renew her passport.
or
Indirect = Jennifer said that she needs to renew her passport.
***************************************************************************************
3. the direct speech refers to a scientific or general truth:
Direct = He found, “the Earth is the fifth largest planet in the solar system.”
Indirect = He noted that the Earth is the fifth largest planet in the solar system.
or
Indirect = He noted that the Earth was the fifth largest planet in the solar system.
****************************************************************************************
I have problem understanding or recognizing the category of sentences explained in #2 explanation.
What does #2 really mean by saying "2. the direct speech refers to something that’s still true:"
Would you please be nice enough to give me an other example or a sentence which refers to explanation of number #2?
Thank you.