John claimed that he has over 10 years' experience in marketing

[Winwin2011]

A few days ago, someone called John told me that he has over 10 years' experience in marketing. Today, I talked to my friend, May" John claimed that he has over 10 years' experience in marketing.”

Is it correct to say “ John claimed that he has over 10 years' experience in marketing.”

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes, but change "years'" to "year's".

 

[Rover_KE]

I'd wouldn't change years' to year's.

 

[SoothingDave]

There is some skepticism inherent in saying he "claimed" a thing.

 

[Tdol]

If you believe him or are neutral, it might be better to say John said he had over 10 years' experience. Claimed does sound as if you're not sure he is telling the truth.

 

[Winwin2011]

If you believe him or are neutral, it might be better to say John said he had over 10 years' experience. Claimed does sound as if you're not sure he is telling the truth.

If John is still in the field of marketing, are there any difference between:

1. John claimed that he has over 10 years' experience in marketing.
2. John claimed that he had over 10 years' experience in marketing

 

[Barb_D]

No. In one, you back-shift the reported speech. In the other, you don't.

Again, "claimed" sounds like you don't believe him.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I'd wouldn't change years' to year's.

Oops! My mistake.

 

[Winwin2011]

No. In one, you back-shift the reported speech. In the other, you don't.

Again, "claimed" sounds like you don't believe him.

Is it more common to back-shift the reported speech in writing?

 

[Barb_D]

Very little of my writing includes reported speech. I really don't know.

 

[Tdol]

Is it more common to back-shift the reported speech in writing?

It would be pretty hard to call here because he still works in the area. In speech, I'd guess that the present would be more common, but in writing it could depend on how long the person thought the text might be read- if it's a message, the present would work, but if it has to last years, then the past would probably be more common.

 

[Winwin2011]

It would be pretty hard to call here because he still works in the area. In speech, I'd guess that the present would be more common, but in writing it could depend on how long the person thought the text might be read- if it's a message, the present would work, but if it has to last years, then the past would probably be more common.

Thanks, Tdol.

What does "but if it has to last years" mean?

 

[Tdol]

If you want the text to work in ten years' time, you may want to backshift as the claim may no longer be true.

 

[Matthew Wai]

What does "but if it has to last years" mean?

Does it mean "but if it has to be read for years"?

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes.