Estilo indirecto.

Question

We had to select right verbs as per the tense in subordinate clause.

A1) Luis dice que no puede venir mañana a la sierra. A2) Luis dijo que no puede venir mañana a la sierra.

B1) Tú me has dicho que te gustaban las películas de ciencia ficción. B2) Tú me dijiste que te gustaban las películas de ciencia ficción.

C1) Ella dice que mañana no va a ir a trabajar.
C2) Ella dijo que mañana no va a ir a trabajar.

D1) Mi padre dice que llamará más tarde. D2) Mi padre dijo que llamará más tarde.

E1) Nos han dicho que se casarían pronto. E2) Nos dicen que se casarían pronto. E3) Nos dijeron que se casarían pronto.

Please tell me which one of above paired sentences are correct with reason. First option is correct as per me. Regret the question is bit lengthy, thanks for your assistance.

Thanks in Advance.

First, I want to make sure you are making an effort before I help you. Can you please explain why you think the first is correct? Then we can help you with what we think is right and why. - missy8888, Apr 24, 2012

Answer 1

This is really all a question about the sequence of tenses. In general these present tenses will go together: presente, presente progresivo, presente perfecto, futuro, futuro perfecto, mandato. and these past tenses will go together: pretérito, imperfecto, pasado perfecto, condicional, condicional perfecto. Once you know this all you have to do is make sure the tenses in both clauses correlate.

In A1 the first choice is correct because both clauses have a verb conjugated in the present tense. In B1 the first choice is incorrect because has dicho is a present tense form while gustaban is a past tense form. C1 is correct. D1 is correct. E1 is incorrect because han dicho is a present tense form and se casarían is condicional. In this case E3 is correct (both past tense forms).

This person is asking which pair of sentences is correct--the change from present to past tense. There is only one pair that is correct. - missy8888, Apr 24, 2012

I know that's is what I answered. In sentences like these there has to be a concordance between the two tenses in both clauses. You can't have a present tense form in the suboordinate clause and a past tense - pescador1, Apr 24, 2012

In the subordinate clause and a past tense form in the insubordinate clause. They have to match. - pescador1, Apr 24, 2012