is/was

The sentence is in the past tense, which doesn't really make any difference though. Either way would be common and acceptable usage. One could make an argument that if Nathan Road still exists, "is" should be used--but "was" would be common usage, and is not in and of itself incorrect.

Thanks, Setanta.

Re: is/was



YL,

Now that you know that the backshifting that occurs in reported indirect speech has nothing to do with past tense in the sense of past time you should be able to answer your own questions on this.

Someone asked my friend whether he knew/knows where Nathan Road was/is.

The only thing that's finished in this sentence is the asking. That's what reported speech is all about, simply relating what was said. There's no issue or question in this about what the friend knows or doesn't know, knew or didn't know.

All that's being done here is someone is making a report of some bit of conversation.

Thanks, Contrex.

heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee . . .

It's awfully reassuring to see these two sages proffering their wisdom, each seeking to outdo the other in addressing the language issues. Stupendous, gentlemen, simply stupendous.

Hi JTT

You're also a sage, and I'm glad that you have helped me frequently.