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Pastsimple Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
I hadn't considered that.
Hello,
I came across this in one episode of The Big Bang Theory series:
(Sheldon talking about his decision to have a child with Amy, who he only met recently)
Penny (suggesting Sheldon should date Amy first): Think of it as, uh... getting to know the future mother of your child.
Sheldon: I hadn't considered that.
I assume that Sheldon is using the past perfect in this sense: I hadn't considered that BEFORE you told me.
However, would a native speaker use the past perfect like Sheldon or avoid it? I mean, would I haven't considered that be possible? My reason for this is that Penny's situation-changing statement is extremely recent past (a second or two ago).
I came across this in one episode of The Big Bang Theory series:
(Sheldon talking about his decision to have a child with Amy, who he only met recently)
Penny (suggesting Sheldon should date Amy first): Think of it as, uh... getting to know the future mother of your child.
Sheldon: I hadn't considered that.
I assume that Sheldon is using the past perfect in this sense: I hadn't considered that BEFORE you told me.
However, would a native speaker use the past perfect like Sheldon or avoid it? I mean, would I haven't considered that be possible? My reason for this is that Penny's situation-changing statement is extremely recent past (a second or two ago).
Top answer
Hi, 'I hadn't considered that' is not an unusual thing to say in such a context.. It makes it sound like you are starting to consider it. Clive
- Hi, 'I hadn't considered that' is not an unusual thing to say in such a context..
- It makes it sound like you are starting to consider it.
- Clive
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4 Answers
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Hi,
'I hadn't considered that' is not an unusual thing to say in such a context..
It makes it sound like you are starting to consider it.
Clive
'I hadn't considered that' is not an unusual thing to say in such a context..
It makes it sound like you are starting to consider it.
Clive
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If I got it right:
I hadn't considered that (before you told me). = I'm perhaps starting to consider it.
I didn't consider that. = I didn't consider it back then when I was thinking about having a child with her. I'm not saying I'll start to consider it.
I haven't considered that. = I haven't considered it (ever since the time I got the idea to have
I hadn't considered that (before you told me). = I'm perhaps starting to consider it.
I didn't consider that. = I didn't consider it back then when I was thinking about having a child with her. I'm not saying I'll start to consider it.
I haven't considered that. = I haven't considered it (ever since the time I got the idea to have
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PastsimpleI assume that Sheldon is using the past perfect in this sense: I hadn't considered that BEFORE you told me.Yes. Native speakers use the past perfect with certain verbs in situations where they admit that a certain idea had not occurred to them earlier, that it is a new idea to them.
-- [Someone presents a new idea or new information.]
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