I said I'm going to town or I said I was going to town.

[Yuppie]

This really confuses me, friends what is the difference between these two sentences?

I said I'm going to town and
I said I was going to town

Thank you in anticipation.

[Bharatpitti]

[James]

"I said I'm going to town" is wrong. It should write as: I said, "I am going to town."

[Mister Micawber]

Neither is wrong and both are indirect speech.

The choice depends on whether you are still going to town: if you are not, then only the first is possible, but if you are still planning to go to town, then either may be used.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[James]

IMO, "I said I'm going to town." may be (is) acceptable in spoken English but not in writing or studying the grammar, Mister Micawber.

[Mister Micawber]

James, your English is not good enough yet to try to disagree with me. You are posting questions on some threads while you attempt to answer questions on other threads. It would be better if you asked questions only.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Yuppie]

Thanks for your assistance. Are u saying I should say, I said I'm going to town rather than, I said I was going to town, if I am no longer planning to go there ?

Again, I thought we only put a sentence into inverted commas when we quote what was said before, the way it was said without focusing changing the tense.

Regards

[Mister Micawber]

I have responded to your PM, Yuppie.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Yuppie]

Thank you Author Message
Yuppie
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Thank you Mister Micawber for advising him, he still needs to learn like myself and I'm sure I'd be confused by now if I were a first time learner.
James, I would take the advice without any hard feelings if I were you. I prefer not to advise anyone unless I'm sure of the subject matter.

[James]

[James]

By the way, if you want me to ask you questions then please answer my question based on the following poor comment made by an unqualified answerer who should have asked questions only:

[Mister Micawber]

It is acceptable in both spoken and written English-- and in 'studying the grammar', though I don't know what you mean by that.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Yuppie]

I apologise on behalf of Mr Micawber, you're right it's just a forum. That's why we don't have to take everything to heart but always have to remember that willingness to take advice is a sign of wisdom.

[James]

You always answer questions as if you wrote the English grammar, Mr Micawber. Why are you so sure? Could you please give me some evidence to make me believe you?

I just intended to make a comment (unqualified though) at a basic level for the questioner. I (even as a qualified questioner) know well enough virtually anything is not impossible in English. Are you trying to tell everyone here that "what" can act as a verb? Don't get me wrong, Mr Answerer!

[Piroska]

I do'nt know the right ansver, but I should be wery glad to hear it