reported tense adjustment

Verb Tense Change

QUESTION – VERB TENSE
The verb tense in the noun clause adjusts (changes) to the point of view of the speaker. If the speaker is speaking in the past about an earlier past event, the past perfect may be used in the noun clause to emphasize the difference in time. Past perfect is not used if the time relationship is clear already.

EMBEDDED VERB TENSE
An exception to this verb adjustment occurs when using a verb that expresses a general truth, something that exists, or is timeless, such as states of being , states of possession or mental states. In these cases, the verb remains in its present tense form.

PRESENT-------------------------------------------------PAST

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE------------------------------------ PAST PROGRESSIVE
PAST----------------------------------------------------PAST PERFECT

PAST PROGRESSIVE----------------------------------------PAST PROGRESSIVE

PRESENT PERFECT-----------------------------------------PAST PERFECT

PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE-----------------------------PAST PROGRESSIVE OR PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

PAST PERFECT--------------------------------------------PAST PERFECT



PRESENT
"What do you think?" (permanently)
COMPARE: "What are you thinking?" (at the moment) -

PRESENT OR PAST
She asked how hot the sun is. (general truth)
She asked how hot the weather was. (at the moment)
She asked what I think. (permanently)
She asked what I was/ *am thinking. (at the moment)

may----------------------------might
will---------------------------would
tonight------------------------that night
today--------------------------that day

WORD ORDER CHANGES

EXAMPLE:
What were you doing at the beach?---He asked me what I was doing at the beach.
USE if or whether----YES/NO questions
Didyou enjoy your stay at the hotel?----He asked me if I had enjoyed my stay at the hotel.