I know - I knew

Question

Hi,- You can't do that calculation, because there isn't a good method to do it without using a calculator...- Well, I know, you don't need to tell me that.  Well, I knew, you didn't need to tell me that.I think the present is better, but is the past wrong in cases like that? Other cases like that could be answering a post here, and say "Thanks, but I already knew that" instead of "Thanks, but I aready know that".Thanks

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

<<- You can't do that calculation, because there isn't a good method to do it without using a calculator...
- Well, I know, you don't need to tell me that.
Well, I knew, you didn't need to tell me that.

I think the present is better So do I, but is the past wrong in cases like that? It's not grammatically wrong, but pragmatically wrong in real time, in my opinion. The past here sounds wrong somehow. Other cases like that could be answering a post here, and say "Thanks, but I already knew that" OK. instead of "Thanks, but I already know that". OK. Both OK, since the situation can be conceptualized either as if it were a conversation in real time or as a bulletin board notice which was read after some time.
_______

[Incidentally, they all sound slightly abrupt, if not rude. In the first set, I know is enough. Adding you don't need to tell me that adds a bit of a jab. Similarly, Thanks, but I already knew that is somewhat sharp in tone. There's no need in a forum format to announce that you already know what was given in a reply; it depreciates the effort of the poster who offered help; just Thanks is usually enough.]

CJ

Kooyeen · Answer

Ah, I see.
Yes, I have to say I should have made up a better example. The past there is not wrong, but not really good, not what I would say. But after reading your comments, I understand the difference between "I know" and "I knew" is the same there is in Italian, and that's what I actually wanted to find out.
So I can say I understand, thanks

CalifJim [Incidentally, they all sound slightly abrupt, if not rude. In the first set, I know is enough. Adding you don't need to tell me that adds a bit of a jab. Similarly, Thanks, but I already knew that is somewhat sharp in tone. There's no need in a forum format to announce that you already know what was given in a reply; it depreciates the effort of the poster who offered help; just Thanks is usually enough.]

Oh, don't worry, those were just examples I made up that way on purpose. I know it's not a really good thing to say "Thanks, but I already know", that's why I think I've never written anything like that in my posts. But thank you for warning me! There are always a lot of things I don't know about English and... You know, I would like to avoid getting into trouble just because I used the wrong words, lol.

I know - I knew

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