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Peaceblinkfriend Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

" I always thought that this isn't/wasn't the case "

Would you say

(1)"I always thought that this isn't the case."

or

(2) "I always thought that this wasn't the case."         ?    

(3) What about "I had always thought..."

The context is that you were told what was actually the case and before that you had believed otherwise. 

Thank you

PBF
  

Top answer

" ? Say this, because the whole focus of the statement is on the past. " You could use Past Perfect if the context does not make the sequence of events clear or if you want to emphasize it.

— Clive

  • " ?
  • Say this, because the whole focus of the statement is on the past.
  • " You could use Past Perfect if the context does not make the sequence of events clear or if you want to emphasize it.
  • The context is that you were told what was actually the case and before that you had believed otherwise.
  • Best wishes, Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,
Would you say


(1)"I always thought that this isn't the case."


or


(2) "I always thought that this wasn't the case." ? Say this, because the whole focus of the statement is on the past.


(3) What about "I had always thought..." You could use Past Perfect if the context does not make the sequence of events clear
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I see. Thanks for replying Clive.

PBF
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PeaceblinkfriendThe context is that you were told what was actually the case and before that you had believed otherwise.
The first thing I'd probably say is:
I had always thought this wasn't the case.
I'd be thinking:
I had always thought (before you told me) that it wasn't so.
CJ
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Thanks for your reply CJ. 

Just wondering. Does it imply that you still have doubts as to what really is that case? Or that you now know what is actually that case and you know you were wrong beforehand? 

Thank you

PBF
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PeaceblinkfriendDoes it imply that you still have doubts as to what really is that case? Or that you now know what is actually that case and you know you were wrong beforehand?
No information is given on that. If I say that I had always thought things were different, it doesn't say that I think differently now, and it doesn't say that I think the same now.
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