An English Grammar Part 100

SEQUENCE OF TENSES (VERBS AND VERBALS).

[Sidenote: _Lack of logical sequence in verbs_.]

446. If one or more verbs depend on some leading verb, each should be in the tense that will convey the meaning intended by the writer.

In this sentence from Defoe, "I expected every wave would have swallowed us up," the verb _expected_ looks forward to something in the future, while _would have swallowed_ represents something completed in past time: hence the meaning intended was, "I expected every wave _would swallow_" etc.

[Sidenote: _Also in verbals_.]

In the following sentence, the infinitive also fails to express the exact thought:--

I had hoped never to have seen the statues again.--MACAULAY.

The trouble is the same as in the previous sentence; _to have seen_ should be changed to _to see_, for exact connection. Of course, if the purpose were to represent a prior fact or completed action, the perfect infinitive would be the very thing.

It should be remarked, however, that such sentences as those just quoted are in keeping with the older idea of the unity of the sentence. The present rule is recent.

Exercise.

Explain whether the verbs and infinitives in the following sentences convey the right meaning; if not, change them to a better form:--

1. I gave one quarter to Ann, meaning, on my return, to have divided with her whatever might remain.--DE QUINCEY

2. I can't sketch "The Five Drapers," ... but can look and be thankful to have seen such a masterpiece.--THACKERAY.

3. He would have done more wisely to have left them to find their own apology than to have given reasons which seemed paradoxes.--R.W. CHURCH.

4. The propositions of William are stated to have contained a proposition for a compromise.--PALGRAVE

5. But I found I wanted a stock of words, which I thought I should have acquired before that time.--FRANKLIN

6. I could even have suffered them to have broken Everet Ducking's head.--IRVING.

INDIRECT DISCOURSE.

[Sidenote: _Definitions_.]

_447_. Direct discourse--that is, a direct quotation or a direct question--means the identical words the writer or speaker used; as,--

"I hope you have not killed him?" said Amyas.--KINGSLEY.

Indirect discourse means reported speech,--the thoughts of a writer or speaker put in the words of the one reporting them.

[Sidenote: _Two samples of indirect discourse_.]

448. Indirect discourse may be of two kinds:--

(1) Following the thoughts and also the exact words as far as consistent with the rules of logical sequence of verbs.

(2) Merely a concise representation of the original words, not attempting to follow the entire quotation.

The following examples of both are from De Quincey:--

[Sidenote: _Indirect_.]

1. Reyes remarked that it was not in his power to oblige the clerk as to that, but that he could oblige him by cutting his throat.

[Sidenote: _Direct_.]

His exact words were, "I _cannot_ oblige _you_ ..., but I _can_ oblige _you_ by cutting _your_ throat."

[Sidenote: _Indirect_.]

Her prudence whispered eternally, that safety there was none for her until she had laid the Atlantic between herself and St. Sebastian's.

[Sidenote: _Direct_.]

She thought to herself, "Safety there _is_ none for _me_ until _I_ have laid," etc.

[Sidenote: _Summary of the expressions_.]

2. Then he laid bare the unparalleled ingrat.i.tude of such a step. Oh, the unseen treasure that had been spent upon that girl! Oh, the untold sums of money that he had sunk in that unhappy speculation!

[Sidenote: _Direct synopsis_.]

The substance of his lamentation was, "Oh, unseen treasure _has_ been spent upon that girl! Untold sums of money _have I_ sunk," etc.

449. From these ill.u.s.trations will be readily seen the grammatical changes made in transferring from direct to indirect discourse.

Remember the following facts:--

(1) Usually the main, introductory verb is in the past tense.

(2) The indirect quotation is usually introduced by _that_, and the indirect question by _whether_ or _if_, or regular interrogatives.

(3) Verbs in the present-tense form are changed to the past-tense form. This includes the auxiliaries _be_, _have_, _will_, etc. The past tense is sometimes changed to the past perfect.

(4) The p.r.o.nouns of the first and second persons are all changed to the third person. Sometimes it is clearer to introduce the antecedent of the p.r.o.noun instead.

Other examples of indirect discourse have been given in Part I., under interrogative p.r.o.nouns, interrogative adverbs, and the subjunctive mood of verbs.