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Quebec62 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

"I knew it had to be tied to the book" Why using "had" not "have"

Hi all

Could you explain why this sentence using "had" instead of "have"

"I was trying to figure out what to do for this website to make it a little more fun. I knew it had to be tied to the book, but the book is lacking in references to music videos or pyrotechnics or home shopping network references…"
  

Top answer

Hi q62, The way the sentence is written, the verb to have is in the past tense and goes with the singular pronoun 'it', so you could not use the verb form 'have' which is present tense and does not go with 'it'. ' I hope that makes it clear. If not, please ask again.

— TrysB

  • Hi q62, The way the sentence is written, the verb to have is in the past tense and goes with the singular pronoun 'it', so you could not use the verb form 'have' which is present tense and does not go with 'it'.
  • ' I hope that makes it clear.
  • If not, please ask again.
  • TrysB
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2 Answers
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Hi q62,
The way the sentence is written, the verb to have is in the past tense and goes with the singular pronoun 'it', so you could not use the verb form 'have' which is present tense and does not go with 'it'.

You could use 'have' in a future form by saying 'I knew it would have to be tied to the book,...'

I hope that makes it clear. If not, please ask agai
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quebec62Could you explain why this sentence using uses "had" instead of "have"?
Yes. It is because it is used in a subordinate clause after knew.

I knew (that) it had to be ...

In the present tense,

I know (tha
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