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PreciousJones Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Didnt
I didn't know you had a girlfriend. Or
I didn't know you have a girlfriend.
WHat's the difference? Do they both mean the same thing?
I didn't know you have a girlfriend.
WHat's the difference? Do they both mean the same thing?
Top answer
What is more idiomatic to my ear is I didn't know you had a girlfriend. After knew, didn't know, thought, didn't think , you can't go wrong if you use the past. In fact, the present usually sounds wrong.
- What is more idiomatic to my ear is I didn't know you had a girlfriend.
- After knew, didn't know, thought, didn't think , you can't go wrong if you use the past.
- In fact, the present usually sounds wrong.
- It's called backshifting.
- You backshift the subordinate clause to the past tense even if the meaning applies to present time.
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2 Answers
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What is more idiomatic to my ear is
I didn't know you had a girlfriend.
After knew, didn't know, thought, didn't think, you can't go wrong if you use the past. In fact, the present usually sounds wrong. It's called backshifting. You backshift the subordinate clause to the past tense even if the meaning applies to present time.
I knew he liked swimming.
I didn't know you had a girlfriend.
After knew, didn't know, thought, didn't think, you can't go wrong if you use the past. In fact, the present usually sounds wrong. It's called backshifting. You backshift the subordinate clause to the past tense even if the meaning applies to present time.
I knew he liked swimming.
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