She asked if I was Scottish.

[Maybo]

I'm learning indirect speech. I'd like to know if I can say "She asked if I am Scottish" in the following example?

She asked if I was Scottish. (original yes-no question: ‘Are you Scottish?’) (Reported speech: indirect speech)

 

[emsr2d2]

Both are possible. Most BrE speakers would use "was", simply because we're so used to backshifting in indirect speech.

 

[probus]

A speculative question for other native speakers: does it make a difference if we substitute whether for if? I think I'm less likely to backshift with whether.

 

[5jj]

I think I'm less likely to backshift with whether.

I think I would be more likely to backshift with whether.

 

[emsr2d2]

Interesting point. It's difficult to say what I would spontaneously say because I'm being forced to think about it. However, I think I would still backshift.

 

[5jj]

Right. That's why I stressed the think in my response.