Endeavour Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Are these two sentences grammatically correct and their difference in meaning?
Hello all! I wonder if these two sentences are correct in grammar and if so, whether my interpretation of them is correct.
1) I told her I loved her yesterday.
My interpretation: I conveyed my love to the girl yesterday, and it is certain I loved her yesterday but it is unsure whether I still love her now. (because of the use of "loved" instead of "love")
2) I told her I love her yesterday.
My interpretation: I conveyed my love to the girl yesterday and I still love her.
Thank you so much!
1) I told her I loved her yesterday.
My interpretation: I conveyed my love to the girl yesterday, and it is certain I loved her yesterday but it is unsure whether I still love her now. (because of the use of "loved" instead of "love")
2) I told her I love her yesterday.
My interpretation: I conveyed my love to the girl yesterday and I still love her.
Thank you so much!
Top answer
1) "I love you" is turned into "I told her (that) I loved her" through the normal process of backshifting reported speech, so you cannot assume that the speaker no longer loves her.
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1) "I love you" is turned into "I told her (that) I loved her" through the normal process of backshifting reported speech, so you cannot assume that the speaker no longer loves her.
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