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Thread ID: 147448 2018-12-17 23:50:00 English grammar - remind me this... Renmoo (66) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1456623 2018-12-17 23:50:00 Hi all,

Let's say if I want to refer to an event that happened yesterday:

"At 11am yesterday, I said I am in Auckland doing a bit of shopping"

vs

"At 11am yesterday, I said I was in Auckland doing a bit of shopping"

Which is correct of the two?

[Edit] - Is there an exception where it is the opposite? e.g. if you say the second statement is correct, is there a time where the first statement is actually more valid?

Thank you
Renmoo (66)
1456624 2018-12-18 00:22:00 You'd need quotation marks around the phrase to indicate that it was what you said yesterday in the first sentence. The second one is correct as a description of what you did as it is.
That's my take on it, both are correct depending on whether you want to convey the actual words or not. I'm far from the expert though.

So "At 11am yesterday, I said "I am in Auckland doing a bit of shopping""
dugimodo (138)
1456625 2018-12-18 00:47:00 Any Christmas bargains? :) :)

Ken

(Only kidding James :))
kenj (9738)
1456626 2018-12-18 01:37:00 I agree with dugimodo. This is a case where punctuation (quotation marks) can change the meaning. The first statement is valid if you are explaining what you said to the person on the day of the event.

The English language ....she is a b******

ps...I don't know why the gender should even come into it.:)
Marnie (4574)
1456627 2018-12-18 06:43:00 Seek help, anybody that was “Cycling Somewhere” and wound up in “Auckland” doing some “Christmas Shopping”, needs all the help they can get. :D

You weren’t wearing "Lycra" by some chance when this tragedy occurred?
B.M. (505)
1456628 2018-12-18 08:23:00 Seek help, anybody that was “Cycling Somewhere” and wound up in “Auckland” doing some “Christmas Shopping”, needs all the help they can get. :D

You weren’t wearing "Lycra" by some chance when this tragedy occurred?

I don't think he is a MAMIL.
Marnie (4574)
1456629 2018-12-18 17:17:00 I don't think he is a MAMIL.

Who BM? Now that would be funny. BM the closet MAMIL makes sense as to why he is always harping on about Lycra bet he has a wardrobe full of Lycra stuff
gary67 (56)
1456630 2018-12-24 23:03:00 You'd need quotation marks around the phrase to indicate that it was what you said yesterday in the first sentence. The second one is correct as a description of what you did as it is.
That's my take on it, both are correct depending on whether you want to convey the actual words or not. I'm far from the expert though.

So "At 11am yesterday, I said "I am in Auckland doing a bit of shopping""

Thank you. If I were to say it as if I am recounting an event that took place yesterday, "At 11am yesterday, I said I was in Auckland doing a bit of shopping" would be correct.

---

How about this:

"While out shopping yesterday, I had an ice cream from Baskin Robbins; you know, the one where it was featured in an advertisement with a famous rugby star"

vs

"While out shopping yesterday, I had an ice cream from Baskin Robbins; you know, the one where it is featured in an advertisement with a famous rugby star"
Renmoo (66)
1456631 2018-12-25 01:33:00 Either could be correct. "Was" indicates that the add was seen in the past. "Is" indicates that the add is still currently being seen. CliveM (6007)
1456632 2018-12-26 00:08:00 Either could be correct. "Was" indicates that the add was seen in the past. "Is" indicates that the add is still currently being seen.

Correct. But to digress; I hate it when some bimbo - or himbo - at a call centre (patronisingly) asks, "what was your name?"

If I'm in a stirring mood, I'll reply, "I haven't changed it, it's still the same". :devil
WalOne (4202)
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