I'm sure

She would be offended... if she found out.
She will be offended... when she finds out.

I'd say "was" - the "thinking this" was in the past, since you have surely corrected the record to say that Lina is much too young to be your mother.

Grammar GeekShe would be offended... if she found out.She will be offended... when she finds out.I'd say "was" - the "thinking this" was in the past, since you have surely corrected the record to say that Lina is much too young to be your mother.

Hi Grammar Geek,

But should I include, if she found out in the sentence?

Thank you.

HI

If Lina will probably not find out what the person thinks about her age, then "would" is correct. This tells us what Lina would think - but that is unlikely to happen

I would say that "she's" is short for "she is" here (and you can use either)...

- I'm sure Lina would be offended that you thought she is old enough to be my mom

Dave

dave_anonHIIf Lina will probably not find out what the person thinks about her age, then "would" is correct. This tells us what Lina would think - but that is unlikely to happenI would say that "she's" is short for "she is" here (and you can use either)...- I'm sure Lina would be offended that you thought she is old enough to be my momDave

Hi Dave,

Hi

That's a good question. You are right in saying that the past tense works just as well here

I think that "being as old as" or "being older than" is a continuous quality - if it's true today then it will be true in a year's time and it was true a year ago. So I might say: You thought she is older than she is

But I'm happy with your comment - the past tense is a good

You do not need to expressly state "if she found out." It's implied.

Hi

I'll just add that my suggestion only works with continuous qualities - when you know that what was true at the time is still true today

- I thought you said he was wearing gloves
[must be past tense - he may no longer be wearing gloves]

- I thought you said she is elderly
[can be present - she must still be elderly now]

Dave

dave_anonHiI'll just add that my suggestion only works with continuous qualities - when you know that what was true at the time is still true today- I thought you said he was wearing gloves[must be past tense - he may no longer be wearing gloves]- I thought you said she is elderly[can be present - she must still be elderly now]Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for

Hi

I think that, in formal English, you are right - the past tense will always be OK

But in other forms of writing, I would say you have the choice...

- I thought he must be rich because he drives a Rolls Royce

- I thought he must be rich because he drove a Rolls Royce

In a novel, say, I would find the first sentence acceptable

The difference i