Reporting permanent states, facts, habits

Permanent states and conditions are often reported in the simple present after a reporting verb in the past to show that they are matters of fact now [> App 45 for reporting verbs]:

Copernicus concluded that the earth goes round the sun However, the 'proximity rule' [> 9.5.2] would also allow us to say:

Copernicus concluded that the earth went round the sun A change in tense can lead to ambiguity. Compare:

He told me he works as a builder (at present)

He told me he worked as a builder (at present or in the past?)

Indirect Yes/No questions

Form of indirect Yes/No questions

The rules about tense sequences [> 9.5, 15.10, 15.12-16] also apply to questions:

Actual spoken questions Indirect questions

be: 'Are you ready?' He asked (me) if/whether I am/was ready

have: 'Have you finished⁹' He asked (me) if/whether I (have)/had finished
do 'Do you play chess⁹' He asked (me) if/whether I play/played chess

modals: 'Can I have it⁷' He asked (me) if/whether he can/could have it

15 Direct and indirect speech