I wondered if you could help us? 主句和从句中的动词均使用过去时, 这是指过去时间吗?
这里不是指过去时间,而是指现在时间。这种用法叫做礼貌过去时,因主句用了礼貌过去时,后面从句中的动词为了遵循时态呼应原则也跟着前移为过去时了。虽然这种用法的一般过去时都可以用一般现在时来代替,但是,代替后讲话者探询的口气和礼貌的态度,便荡然无存了。请比较:
Do you want to buy this one?
Did you want to buy this one?
下面是一些类似的例子:
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We were hoping you would stay with us. 我们诚盼您能和我们呆在一起。
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Could I borrow your car? 我能借用一下您的汽车吗?
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I wondered if you were free this evening. 不知您今天晚上是不是有空。
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We were wondering whether we might beg a lift in your car? 我们不知道我们是否能请求您让我们搭您的车?
—Excuse me, sir. Would you do me a favor? —Of course. What is it?
—I ____ if you could tell me how to fill out this form.