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Hello, teachers! - How can/could you be here? I thought you were/are at home. Q1. Here 'can' and 'could' are both OK, aren't they? Q2. In this case we can't say 'are', can we? Thank you very much.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Completely correct again, Jandi!
1. Both OK
2. "were" only, not "are"

Vince · Answer

Agree with Jim

The reason why you can't use are is because thought is in past tense; you cannot use past tense en present tense in the same sentence/clause.
Or am I wrong in this? (teachers?)

CalifJim · Answer

Actually you can use present tense and past tense in the same sentence, but it is not always the usual pattern. For example, with verbs of reporting, the main clause might be in the past, but if what is reported is still true (or is still believed to be true), you can have the subordinate clause in the present.

The chemists of the eighteenth century discovered that water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.

This pattern also often occurs when the report of what someone said follows quite soon after it is said.

-- "I'm tired."
-- "I didn't hear you. What did you say?"
-- "I said that I'm tired."

The reverse can also occur, perhaps even more readily:

He knows that Carol failed her grammar exam.
Chris needs to explain why he was late.
I think I bought three books, but I don't remember.

Note that these are all perfectly grammatical:

I want to tell you how proud I am of your progress in English.
I wanted to tell you how proud I was of your progress in English.
I want to tell you how proud I was of your progress in English.
I wanted to tell you how proud I am of your progress in English.

CJ

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