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Wenlun88 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

I knew you were OR I knew you are

I read this in a comic and it has confused me..

1."I knew you were strong "

OR

2."I knew you are strong "

If the 1st statement is correct , doesn't that mean that particular person was strong but he is not strong anymore at the present time.
Please enlighten me .. Thank you
  

Top answer

Hi, Both can have the same meaning. In the first sentence, the dependent verb regresses with the main verb. It is called backshifting, and is always considered correct to use it.

— Regards

  • Hi, Both can have the same meaning.
  • In the first sentence, the dependent verb regresses with the main verb.
  • It is called backshifting, and is always considered correct to use it.
  • *Your sentences should end with a period.
  • Regards
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2 Answers
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Hi,
Both can have the same meaning. In the first sentence, the dependent verb regresses with the main verb.
It is called backshifting, and is always considered correct to use it.

*Your sentences should end with a period.

Regards
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Wenlun88If the 1st statement is correct , doesn't that mean that particular person was strong but he is not strong anymore at the present time.
No. It doesn't mean anything of the kind!

The verb 'are' is changed to 'were' because the past tense 'knew' occurs before it. The reference is not exclusively to past time. Use the past in the second clause
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