Which one is more grammatically correct?
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After 2 hours, I asked her if she still wanted to eat the cake.
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After 2 hours, I asked her if she still wants to eat the cake.
Posted Aug 18, 2019, 6:00 AM UTC
24
After 2 hours, I asked her if she still wanted to eat the cake.
After 2 hours, I asked her if she still wants to eat the cake.
Posted Aug 18, 2019, 6:00 AM UTC
[removed]
But it happened in the past altogether? Let's say I'm telling this story to my brother (or any audience, really) right now about an interaction that I had with a female friend last week, would "wants" still be the correct one?
Usually an example like yours (as in the original post) would use the past-tense verb "wanted".
The principle is basically that of "reported speech", in that the past-tense verb "asked" in the matrix clause is providing an environment that supports backshift use of past-tense verbs in subordinate clauses.
[Note: a backshift use of a past-tense verb is where a present-tense verb is replaced by a past-tense verb when in a supporting environment. And usually backshifting is preferred when it is logically possible, but there are exceptions.]
I did not think that through. I don't have medals to give, but I will give you that most rare of awards on Reddit: You are right, and I was wrong.