In Verbs^x, Indirect speech^x, Present tenses^x

Hi, You wrote: I learn from a grammar book that a small set of verbs of communication such as "tell", "say" and "hear" can be used in simple present tense even though the act of telling, saying or hearing happened in the past. for example, "Bill tells me you...

Hi there: I learn from a grammar book that a small set of verbs of communication such as "tell", "say" and "hear" can be used in simple present tense even though the act of telling, saying or hearing happened in the past. for example, "Bill tells me you are...

With all the wanderings of this thread, I am not sure of the question. Regarding these sentences: "i wish i could tell you what this is" (this present unidentifiable object) "i wish i could tell you what this was" (the same object) "i wish i could tell you how i feel"...

So, as long as there is something discovered in the past and refered to a permanent truth, it still can be used with simple present tense. This reminds me of another sentence I found in my textbook regarding "indirect speech". Please see the following sentence. He said he will come on the...

CGEL: Conversion to indirect reported speech not a matter of grammatical rule There is a second respect in which we must beware of being misled by the traditonal account associating backshift with indirect reported speech. Converting into indirect reprted speech, however, is not a matter...

Munchun The past tense of "wish" is the only one that I know for the politeness past tense other than that "wonder". Some times English speakers use it in a sense of the present tense. An example is "Did you wish me to dance with you? If you like it, I'll do" The question you newly raised...

I don't really understand the question either... Konstantin, you're referring to the Conditional with your German example. Indirect speech in German works differently as the Conjunctive has to be used in formal German, which however, can be replaced by the Conditional (would+infinitive). ...