A COMMON MISTAKE

“Last week they said they can't come, but they came.”

What's wrong? Choose the right one.

WHY is, can or has done when it's over

When what was said is over or no longer true, move the verb back: is → was, can → could, has done → had done.

Not: ~~Last week they said they can't come, but they came.~~

Say: Last week they said they couldn't come, but they came.

Try 6 like it

Questions where people make this mistake.

THE QUESTIONS

Last week our neighbours told us they ______ come to the barbecue, but they turned up anyway.couldn't · can't
"I'm making dinner," Kim told me on the phone yesterday. → Kim told me she ______ dinner.makes · was making · is making
The man at the station told me the last train ______ ten minutes earlier.leaves · had left · has left
"I can't afford a holiday this year," Ben said. → Ben said he ______ afford a holiday that year.couldn't · can't
"I'm staying with my aunt this week," Ben said. → Ben said he ______ with his aunt that week.stays · is staying · was staying
"You don't need to pay tax on it this year," the adviser said. → She said I ______ to pay tax on it that year.didn't need · don't need

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