Flogger
Member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2016
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Persian
- Home Country
- Iran
- Current Location
- Iran
Hello,
I have two different questions about Indirect Speech structures.
My first question is regarding a grammar test from Grammar Digest. In one of its exercises I must fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in the parenthesis. Here is the test:
Unfortunately the answer keys have not explained why my answer is wrong or why I must have filled it with (didn't have). Would you please explain more about it?
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My second question is about Formal and Informal Indirect Speech.
In my grammar book has been included that in less formal, popular usage today, the verb in the noun clause is often in a present time form if the fact or the event is still true. Then, it has compared two types of them:
Formal: Ruth said that she was busy and she couldn't go out tonight.
Informal: Ruth said that she is busy and she can't go out tonight.
I think the book wants to say that both the formal and informal forms of Indirect speech, as the above example, have got the same meanings.
But if we suppose this, then how is it possible that a formal sentence like above which has got simple past tenses indicates to the present?
I mean if I give you a formal sentence without any further sentences, can you tell me that what was my intention? Can you tell me that I meant to point to a thing that happened in the past or to a thing that is happening in the present time?
Regards.
I have two different questions about Indirect Speech structures.
My first question is regarding a grammar test from Grammar Digest. In one of its exercises I must fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in the parenthesis. Here is the test:
I filled the first blank with (hadn't) and the second blank with (left), but according to the answer keys my first answer was wrong and I must have filled it with (didn't have).When the press secretary claimed that he (have, not) ________ any information, the reporters (leave) _____________ the room.
Unfortunately the answer keys have not explained why my answer is wrong or why I must have filled it with (didn't have). Would you please explain more about it?
-----------------------
My second question is about Formal and Informal Indirect Speech.
In my grammar book has been included that in less formal, popular usage today, the verb in the noun clause is often in a present time form if the fact or the event is still true. Then, it has compared two types of them:
Formal: Ruth said that she was busy and she couldn't go out tonight.
Informal: Ruth said that she is busy and she can't go out tonight.
I think the book wants to say that both the formal and informal forms of Indirect speech, as the above example, have got the same meanings.
But if we suppose this, then how is it possible that a formal sentence like above which has got simple past tenses indicates to the present?
I mean if I give you a formal sentence without any further sentences, can you tell me that what was my intention? Can you tell me that I meant to point to a thing that happened in the past or to a thing that is happening in the present time?
Regards.