I thought past simple/past perfect

Question

I thought they were/had been good couple ?

What is the difference between the past simple and past perfect in the above sentence ?

I seem to be confused. I would like to have some examples of past simple and past perfect using the phrase "I THOUGHT".

Thank you!

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

vkr6078I thought they were a good couple ?

As shown.

vkr6078I would like to have some examples of past simple and past perfect using the phrase "I THOUGHT".

I thought Susan (already) knew about the party.
I thought that the comedians were really funny.
I thought we needed butter, so I bought some.

I thought Larry had (already) seen that movie.
I thought that Vera had (already) taken the money to the bank.
I thought Jack had won a trip to Hawaii. Why didn't he go there on his last vacation?

We often substitute the simple past for the past perfect in these constructions, so the past perfect is less often seen than you might expect.
______________

Although it is not a rule, it seems to me that the past is more often seen when the that-clause has a stative predicate (be, know, need; see above), and the past perfect is more often seen when the that-clause has a dynamic predicate (see, take, win; see above).

CJ

Fivejedjon · Answer

vkr6078I thought they had been good couple

That is possible if the people concerned were no longer a couple.

I thought past simple/past perfect

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