Исключения из правила согласования времен
While the Sequence of Tenses rule is generally applied when the main verb of a sentence is in a past tense, there are crucial situations where backshifting does not occur. Understanding these exceptions is just as important as knowing the main rule for accurate and natural English.
1. Всеобщие истины или научные факты
If the statement in the subordinate clause expresses a universal truth, a scientific fact, or a generally accepted principle, the verb remains in the present simple tense, regardless of the main verb being in the past. This is because these facts are timeless.
- Пример 1 (Научный факт):
- Our science teacher explained that water freezes at 0°C. (Even though "explained" is past, water still freezes at 0°C.)
- He told me that light travels faster than sound.
- Пример 2 (Всеобщая истина):
- The philosopher stated that knowledge is power.
- She taught us that honesty is the best policy.
2. Утверждения, которые до сих пор верны или актуальны в настоящем
When the action or state described in the subordinate clause is still true or relevant at the time of reporting, you can often choose to keep the verb in its original present tense. While backshifting is always grammatically safe here, using the present tense can emphasize the current relevance. This is particularly common in informal speech.
- Пример 1 (Текущее местоположение):
- She said she lives in London. (Если она все еще живет в Лондоне сейчас.)
- Альтернативно (и тоже правильно): She said she lived in London. (Это явно не указывает, живет ли она там до сих пор, но грамматически верно.)
- Пример 2 (Продолжающееся состояние/ситуация):
- He mentioned that he is very busy this week. (Если он все еще занят в момент сообщения.)
- The report stated that the company is facing financial challenges. (Если проблемы продолжаются.)
- Пример 3 (Предпочтения/Мнения):
- They explained that they prefer coffee over tea. (Если это предпочтение все еще остается верным.)
3. Нереальные условные предложения (гипотетические ситуации)
The tenses used in Type 2 and Type 3 conditional clauses (which describe hypothetical or unreal situations) typically do not change when reported. The structure of these conditionals inherently uses specific past forms to denote unreality, and backshifting them further would alter their meaning.
- Пример 1 (Условное предложение типа 2 – Нереальное настоящее/будущее):
- Прямая речь: He said, "If I were rich, I would buy a yacht."
- Косвенная речь: He said that if he were rich, he would buy a yacht. (The "were" remains.)
- Пример 2 (Условное предложение типа 3 – Нереальное прошлое):
- Прямая речь: She told me, "If I had known, I would have come earlier."
- Косвенная речь: She told me that if she had known, she would have come earlier. (The "had known" remains.)
4. Модальные глаголы
Some modal verbs do not change their form when backshifted in reported speech:
- could (already past of "can")
- Прямая речь: He said, "I can swim." → Косвенная речь: He said that he could swim.
- Прямая речь: She said, "I could help you." → Косвенная речь: She said that she could help me.
- might (already past of "may")
- Прямая речь: He said, "It may rain." → Косвенная речь: He said that it might rain.
- Прямая речь: She said, "I might go." → Косвенная речь: She said that she might go.
- would (уже являются условной формой)
- Прямая речь: They said, "We will arrive soon." → Косвенная речь: They said that they would arrive soon.
- Прямая речь: He said, "I would like some tea." → Косвенная речь: He said that he would like some tea.
- should (уже являются условной формой или используются для совета)
- Прямая речь: She said, "You should study harder." → Косвенная речь: She said that I should study harder.
Примечание: Must может измениться на had to (для выражения обязательства) или остаться must (для выражения дедукции). Needn't может измениться на didn't need to.
5. Конкретная ссылка на время (опциональное смещение для Past Simple)
When the subordinate clause includes a specific time reference (e.g., yesterday, last week, three years ago) that clearly indicates when the action took place, the past simple tense often doesn't need to backshift to the past perfect. While using the past perfect is always grammatically correct, keeping the simple past is acceptable because the time reference removes any ambiguity.
- Пример:
- Прямая речь: He said, "I visited my grandparents yesterday."
- Косвенная речь: He said that he visited his grandparents yesterday. (Распространено и правильно)
- Также правильно: He said that he had visited his grandparents yesterday.
Понимание этих исключений позволяет более точно и естественно использовать английские времена в сложных предложениях, особенно в косвенной речи.