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Whatchadoin Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
I always thought/I had always thought
I always thought that.
I had always thought that.
In both cases I don't think that anymore. Do I need to specify the second event in the past?
I had always thought that.
In both cases I don't think that anymore. Do I need to specify the second event in the past?
Top answer
Hi, I always thought that. I had always thought that. In both cases I don't think that anymore.
- Hi, I always thought that.
- I had always thought that.
- In both cases I don't think that anymore.
- Do I need to specify the second event in the past?
- No.
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7 Answers
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Hi,
I always thought that.
I had always thought that.
In both cases I don't think that anymore. Do I need to specify the second event in the past?
No. But it is implied that some past event changed you mind.
If you use Past Perfect and don't explain, someone may ask you about it.
I always thought that.
I had always thought that.
In both cases I don't think that anymore. Do I need to specify the second event in the past?
No. But it is implied that some past event changed you mind.
If you use Past Perfect and don't explain, someone may ask you about it.
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CliveNo.Finally some good news! Thanks!
How about this? I hadn't done it in years. - Can I use this one without the second event in the past as well?
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Hi,
Same answer.
But much depends on the context.
eg Do you mean you want to walk into a room full of strangers, and simply say that sentence?
Same answer.
But much depends on the context.
eg Do you mean you want to walk into a room full of strangers, and simply say that sentence?
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CliveDo you mean you want to walk into a room full of strangers, and simply say that sentence?Kind of. Is it better to say "I didn't do it in years." or "I hadn't done it in years." without any further context? I think the first one is better in that case.
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Well, they wouldn't know what 'it' refers to.
I didn't drink water in days.
I hadn't drunk water in days.
I think these two mean the same without any further context. Do you?
I didn't drink water in days until yesterday.
I hadn't drunk water in days until yesterday.
The second is better here, in my opinion. Can I use either one? What do you think? Thanks
I didn't drink water in days.
I hadn't drunk water in days.
I think these two mean the same without any further context. Do you?
I didn't drink water in days until yesterday.
I hadn't drunk water in days until yesterday.
The second is better here, in my opinion. Can I use either one? What do you think? Thanks
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Hi,
The Past Perfect is commonly not used when the meaning is clear without it.
I'm going to move on to other threads now.
Clive
The Past Perfect is commonly not used when the meaning is clear without it.
I'm going to move on to other threads now.
Clive
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