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PreciousJones Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

I didn't

I didn't know you had a boyfriend! Or

I didn't know you have a boyfriend!

Are both usable and carry the same meaning?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

PreciousJones..... I didn't know you had a boyfriend! I didn't know you have a boyfriend!

— Canadian45

  • PreciousJones.....
  • I didn't know you had a boyfriend!
  • I didn't know you have a boyfriend!
  • Are both usable and carry the same meaning?
  • They are both useable but don't have the same meaning.
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15 Answers
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PreciousJones.....I didn't know you had a boyfriend!
I didn't know you have a boyfriend!

Are both usable and carry the same meaning? They are both useable but don't have the same meaning.
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canadian45 PreciousJones.....I didn't know you had a boyfriend!I didn't know you have a boyfriend!Are both usable and carry the same meaning? They are both useable but don't have the same meaning.
What's the difference in meaning? Thank yoU!
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PreciousJones.....I didn't know you had a boyfriend! (had a boyfriend in the past)

I didn't know you have a boyfriend! (have a boyfriend now)
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Not really, Canadian. This is just a case of backshifting. I didn’t know you had a boyfriend doesn’t necessarily refer to a past relationship.
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Aspara GusNot really, Canadian. This is just a case of backshifting. I didn’t know you had a boyfriend doesn’t necessarily refer to a past relationship.
"backshifting", really? That's not even reported speech! Your interpretation basically makes that part of the English language unintelligable.
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canadian45That's not even reported speech!
No, it isn’t.

Context would determine the meaning.

Sorry for hitting on you earlier. I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.
Stop bringing that old story up! For the last time, I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.
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Aspara GusNot really, Canadian. This is just a case of backshifting. I didn’t know you had a boyfriend doesn’t necessarily refer to a past relationship.
So what's going on now?

I'm always get confused by the disputes between you two. I love how my questions create an educational debate, consequently on occasion they do make me even more oblivious to
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Aspara Gus Context would determine the meaning. maybe most times yes and maybe sometimes no But why do wealways have to rely on context when one can just speak logical meanigful English?
Sorry for hitting on you earlier. I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.
Stop bringing that old story up! For the last time, I didn’t know you h
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Have may replace the had in my first example, of course. In my experience, though, most native speakers would say had.
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Aspara GusHave may replace the had in my first example, of course. And would you (reluctantly) admit that that would have some merit?
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