- How do we do it? - I asked how we did it. (?)

[GhotiO |fɪʃ|]

When we're asking for guidance or instructions for ourselves or somebody else on how to do something, we can use the present simple to form the question.
I'd like to ask you, how can we say that in the reported speech?

• [direct speech]
  Joe: How do I correct this error?
• [reported speech]
  Joe asked (the teacher) how he corrected that error.
  
  
• [direct speech]
  Donald: Where does my wife find it?
• [reported speech]
  Donald asked (the hotel receptionist) where his wife found it.

I would do it the way I showed above, according to standard rules of reported speech, but don't those sound a bit... odd?

 

[emsr2d2]

When we're asking for guidance or instructions for ourselves or somebody else on how to do something, we can use the present simple to form the question.
I'd like to ask you, How can we say that in the reported speech?

Don't waste space with "I'd like to ask you ..." or "My question is ...". Just ask the question!

• [direct speech]
  Joe: How do I correct this error?
• [reported speech]
  Joe asked (the teacher) how he corrected that error.
  Joe asked the teacher how to correct that error.

See above.

• [direct speech]
  Donald: Where does my wife find it? See below.
• [reported speech]
  Donald asked (the hotel receptionist) where his wife found it.

"Where does my wife find it?" is such an unlikely question that it's practically incorrect. To match the reported speech version, the direct speech version should be "Where did my wife find it?"

 

[GhotiO |fɪʃ|]

"Where does my wife find it?" is such an unlikely question that it's practically incorrect. To match the reported speech version, the direct speech version should be "Where did my wife find it?"

It's just another example of asking for guidance or instructions but in this case for somebody else. Here's some dialogue from Killers of the Flower Moon (2023):

William: I want you to find Acie Kirby and tell him it's time on the Smith job.
Ernest: I just don't know him. I-- I don't know Acie Kirby.. Wher--
William [turns to the driver of the car]: Where does he find Acie?
Driver: Just find John Ramsey. He'll know.

Don't waste space with "I'd like to ask you ..." or "My question is ...". Just ask the question!

Don't waste space with all those nitpicky corrections. Just give the answer!

 

[emsr2d2]

Don't waste space with all those nitpicky corrections. Just give the answer!

I gave you the answer as well as making necessary corrections. There's nothing "nitpicky" about correcting you. If you're really here to improve your English, you should be grateful for each and every correction.
Your quote above is unnecessarily rude/abusive and you have been given a warning.

 

[GhotiO |fɪʃ|]

I gave you the answer as well as making necessary corrections. There's nothing "nitpicky" about correcting you. If you're really here to improve your English, you should be grateful for each and every correction.
Your quote above is unnecessarily rude/abusive and you have been given a warning.

I responded in the same manner you wrote to me!

Am I wrong, though? You're the one who've wasted the most space. Just look at the mess you’ve created!

 

[emsr2d2]

I responded in the same manner you wrote to me!

I advised you on the best way to construct a request/question. You rudely told me to stop making corrections to your posts. Making corrections is exactly what we're here for.

Am I wrong, though?

Yes, you're wrong.

You're the one who've who's wasted the most space.

Note my correction above.

Just look at the mess you’ve created!

There's no mess.

 

[GhotiO |fɪʃ|]

You rudely told me to stop making corrections to your posts.

If you believe what I said was "rude", then it makes what you said to me rude as well? After all, I responded in the same manner as you.

There's no mess.

There definitely is now.

 

[emsr2d2]

If you believe what I said was "rude", then it makes what you said to me rude as well? After all, I responded in the same manner as you.

We are already discussing this by PM. There is no need to continue this conversation here.

 

[5jj]

Thread locked.