Was/Hadn't he come

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Marius Hancu - 29 Nov 2008 23:44 GMT

Hello:

I'm a bit surprised by the use of simple past and past perfect in:
'"But where," he asked, "was Timothy? Hadn't he come with them?"'

I'd have expected present (is, hasn't he come).

Is this super-politeness/detachment but pushing everything in the past?

-----
James interrupted her reverie:

"But where," he asked, "was Timothy? Hadn't he come with them?"

Through Aunt Ann's compressed lips a tender smile forced its way:

"No, he didn't think it wise, with so much of this diphtheria about; and
he so liable to take things."

Forsyte Saga 1: Man of Property, p. 10
by John Galsworthy
http://www.dailylit.com/books/forsyte-saga-1-man-of-property/4
-----

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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CDB - 30 Nov 2008 00:12 GMT

> I'm a bit surprised by the use of simple past and past perfect in:
> '"But where," he asked, "was Timothy? Hadn't he come with them?"'

> I'd have expected present (is, hasn't he come).

> Is this super-politeness/detachment but pushing everything in the
> past?

It looks like indirect speech served up in quotation marks. You could
keep an eye on JG to see if he goes on doing it. I don't think it's
unintentional.

> James interrupted her reverie:

> "But where," he asked, "was Timothy? Hadn't he come with them?"

> Through Aunt Ann's compressed lips a tender smile forced its way:

> "No, he didn't think it wise, with so much of this diphtheria
> about; and he so liable to take things."

> Forsyte Saga 1: Man of Property, p. 10
> by John Galsworthy
> http://www.dailylit.com/books/forsyte-saga-1-man-of-property/4

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Jonathan Morton - 30 Nov 2008 13:55 GMT

>> I'm a bit surprised by the use of simple past and past perfect in:
>> '"But where," he asked, "was Timothy? Hadn't he come with them?"'
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> keep an eye on JG to see if he goes on doing it. I don't think it's
> unintentional.

Definitely indirect speech. The actual words used were "hasn't he come with
you?".

Regards

Jonathan

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Marius Hancu - 30 Nov 2008 15:42 GMT

On Nov 30, 8:55 am, "Jonathan Morton"
<jonat...@jonathanmortonbutignorethisbit.co.uk> wrote:

> "CDB" <bellema...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message

> >> I'm a bit surprised by the use of simple past and past perfect in:
> >> '"But where," he asked, "was Timothy? Hadn't he come with them?"'
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Definitely indirect speech. The actual words used were "hasn't he come with
> you?".

Thank you both.
Marius Hancu

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2008

Was/Hadn't he come