Tense in embedded clauses

[Xing]

How do your conlangs handle tense in embedded clauses?



He said he was sick.

Wakeu

Ko inni a ki nge kolo.
[ko ˈinːi aː kiː ŋə ˈkoːlo]
PFV say ERG 3s COMPL sick

No tense marker is needed in the embedded clause.

[Iron]

Senkok manasinïsužïnok.
/sɛŋkok mɑnɑsinɪsuʒɪnok/
3sg.say.PST 3sg.diseased_be.PST.

The "to be" verb can be attached to pretty much everything and then be conjugated just as any other verb.

[DanH34]

He said he was well.

Zidhgebzhail - Tense marking on embedded clauses is mandatory, and alters meaning.

Past Tense

zy gAizhlon [hyt] zy ga-shierruif

Spoiler:

z-y g-Aizhlo-n [hyt] z-y g-[h]a-shierr-uif
3-ABS.SG.M PST-say-SIMPLE [REL_GENERIC] 3-ABS.SG.M PST-COP1-good-ADJ

He said [that] he was well (at a implicitly specific time before our conversation).

zy gAizhlon [hyt] zy gla-shierruif

Spoiler:

z-y g-Aizhlo-n [hyt] z-y g-l-[h]a-shierr-uif
3-ABS.SG.M PST-say-SIMPLE [REL_GENERIC] 3-ABS.SG.M PST-PRFT-COP1-good-ADJ

He said [that] he had been well (up until our conversation).

Present Tense

zy gAizhlon [hyt] zy ha-shierruif

Spoiler:

z-y g-Aizhlo-n [hyt] z-y ha-shierr-uif
3-ABS.SG.M PST-say-SIMPLE [REL_GENERIC] 3-ABS.SG.M COP1-good-ADJ

He said [that] he is well (generally speaking).

zy gAizhlon [hyt] zy la-shierruif

Spoiler:

z-y g-Aizhlo-n [hyt] z-y l-[h]a-shierr-uif
3-ABS.SG.M PST-say-SIMPLE [REL_GENERIC] 3-ABS.SG.M PRFT-COP1-good-ADJ

He said [that] he has been well (generally speaking and specifically extending into the past).

Future tense and tense-within-tense permutations are also possible.

[Chagen]

Pazmat:

Matzjo na Stol ganzni zjo.
[speak-PST-3RD.SING.M REL 3RD.SING.M.ERG sickness-ADJ PST-3RD.SING.M]

You gotta have the tense marking in both clauses.