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Pleasehelp Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
How come
I didn't know you had it in you -- past tense
and
I don't know you have it in you -- present tense
These two sentences are basically the same sentences but in different tenses but how come they sound and essentially mean different things?
and
I don't know you have it in you -- present tense
These two sentences are basically the same sentences but in different tenses but how come they sound and essentially mean different things?
Top answer
Very good question PH, I wish I knew the answer. Although the second sentence sounds less idiomatic.
- Very good question PH, I wish I knew the answer.
- Although the second sentence sounds less idiomatic.
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5 Answers
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Very good question PH, I wish I knew the answer.
Although the second sentence sounds less idiomatic.
Although the second sentence sounds less idiomatic.
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IvanhrVery good question PH, I wish I knew the answer.Experts please?
Although the second sentence sounds less idiomatic.
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pleasehelpI didn't know you had it in you -- past tenseThis is the usual formualtion.
pleasehelpI don't know you have it in you -- present tenseI've never heard this.
The first is used after someone does or says something unexpected. The second would be a kind of preemptive use that expresses doubt as to whether
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Since "to have it in you" is clearly an idiom, you should expect its uses to be somewhat established.
In the present tense, I've heard:
I'm not sure [if] you have it in you.
I don't know if you have it in you.
I don't know that you have it in you.
In the present tense, I've heard:
I'm not sure [if] you have it in you.
I don't know if you have it in you.
I don't know that you have it in you.
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