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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Past or Present?

1) I didn't know you had/you have been to so many countries.
2) I didn't know you spoke/speak four languages.
3) He asked me what the name of the supervisor was/is.
In sentences like these, how do I decide whether to use present or past tense? The use of did makes me think it should be past but the fact that the following statement continues to be true makes me think it should be present.
  

Top answer

Anonymous In sentences like these, how do I decide whether to use present or past tense? Native speakers regress the subordinate verb, especially with main verbs like 'think' and 'know': 1) I didn't know you had been to so many countries. 2) I didn't know you spoke four languages.

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous In sentences like these, how do I decide whether to use present or past tense?
  • Native speakers regress the subordinate verb, especially with main verbs like 'think' and 'know': 1) I didn't know you had been to so many countries.
  • 2) I didn't know you spoke four languages.
  • 3) He asked me what the name of the supervisor was .
  • Anonymous the fact that the following statement continues to be true makes me think it should be present.
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2 Answers
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AnonymousIn sentences like these, how do I decide whether to use present or past tense?
Native speakers regress the subordinate verb, especially with main verbs like 'think' and 'know':

1) I didn't know you had been to so many countries.
2) I didn't know you spoke four languages.
3) He asked me what the name of the supervisor
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Mister MicawberNative speakers regress the subordinate verb, especially with main verbs like 'think' and 'know':
Not all of us do this all the time. It is acceptable not to, at least in BrE.

However, sound advice to learners is always to backshift. It's never wrong.
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