I don't know if ....

Question

I don't know whether my friend have received my previous email, so which of the following should I use?

1. " I don't know if you got my last email."

2. " I don't know if you have gotten my last email."

3. " I don't know if you had gotten my last email."

Also, please let me know when I can use the other ones. I'm always get confused with PAST if - clause and ASSUME if - clause. If you know what I mean here.

Many thanks,

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

1 (common in AmE) and 2 (common in BrE) are correct.
You used this form in the initial question 'I don't know whether my friend has received my ...' (present perfect) so 2 will sound correct. Both are connected to past. The word 'yet' is understood in 2 but not written - this is how the past is linked to the present and becomes 'present perfect'.

3. For example: 'I don't know if you had gotten my last email before you rang me'.
Compare this with your example. I mention 2 past events, one before the other, so past perfect is used - the other more recent past event must be understood in a sentence.

Re: Assume if - clause. I'm not too sure what you're referring to.
Otherwise, I hope this helps.

I don't know if ....

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