I thought...
Hi everyone,
I have a question regarding the usage of "I thought" in English.
Please take a look at the four following sentences:
1) A: I thought we had a little more time.
2) A: I thought we have a little more time.
3) A: I thought we would have a little more time.
4) A: I thought we will have a little more time.
First of all, are they all grammatically correct?
Secondly, would you please take a look at my analyses and see if they are correct.
Case 1)
A thought that they had a little more time. A was thinking that in the past they had more time. The sense of having a little more time occurred before A said it.
Case 2)
A thought that now they have a little more time.
Case 3)
A thought that they had a little more time in the past of the future, meaning the event, though has happened from the present perspective, hadn't occurred when he had the thought.
Case 4)
A thought that they will in the future have a little more time.
I am not too sure of case 2 and 4 and the difference between case 1 and 2.
Would you please also help me correct my grammatical mistakes if there are any?
Thank you very much for your help
Kenny
Top answer
Sentences 1 and 3 are the only ones that sound natural to native speakers. Sentences 2 and 4 should start with "I think (that)" because they contain present tense forms (including 'will'). , "I knew (that)", are virtually always followed by a past tense form (including 'would').
- Sentences 1 and 3 are the only ones that sound natural to native speakers.
- Sentences 2 and 4 should start with "I think (that)" because they contain present tense forms (including 'will').
- , "I knew (that)", are virtually always followed by a past tense form (including 'would').
- Even those past tense forms can be interpreted as applying to present or future time.
- For example, I thought I would go to that new movie tomorrow night.
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Sentences 1 and 3 are the only ones that sound natural to native speakers. Sentences 2 and 4 should start with "I think (that)" because they contain present tense forms (including 'will').
"I thought (that)" and similar constructions in English, e.g., "I knew (that)", are virtually always followed by a past tense form (including 'would').
Even those past tense forms can be interpre
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