Anotherworld
tense agreement Sarah says she wants me to get a job, as she says we need the money. I said she has a great job that pays well. the main clause(I said) is in the past tense, but the subordinate clause tense(she has a great job) is in the present tense. I think they don't match. How could it be possible?
Feb 14, 2017 9:52 AM
Answers · 7
1
The only inconsistency between the sentences is "says" in the first and "said" in the second. You need to decide if this conversation finished in the past ("said") or if it is a conversation which frequently occurs ("says"). If you want to incorporate both ideas, then you need to do something like this: "Sarah often says..." "But the last time we discussed it , Sarah said....."
February 14, 2017
In the sentence 'I said she has a great job that pays well.', you are using *immediate (or informal) reporting* and telling us what you told Sarah. Instead, if you say, 'I say she has a great job that pays well.', the 'I say' means it's your opinion (that she has a great job that pays well) just like 'Sarah says' means that it's Sarah's opinion (that she wants you to get a job).
February 14, 2017
The whole sentence is in the Present. Where do you see a past tense? need is present not past.
February 14, 2017
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!