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Dangbinh95lion Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Past Simple and Past Perfect!
I didn't know that you (buy) a new car.
Is Bought or had bought correct?
Hope to receive much help!
Is Bought or had bought correct?
Hope to receive much help!
Top answer
Hi, Both are correct. They are usually construed thus: 1) I didn't know you bought a new car - I'm surprised. You're telling me about your new car at the moment ( present ).
- Hi, Both are correct.
- They are usually construed thus: 1) I didn't know you bought a new car - I'm surprised.
- You're telling me about your new car at the moment ( present ).
- 2) I didn't know you had bought a new car - I wasn't aware of the fact that you had bought a new car at some point in the past ( past ).
- *In spoken English, however, the first sentence can also carry the meaning of the second.
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4 Answers
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Hi,
Both are correct. They are usually construed thus:
1) I didn't know you bought a new car - I'm surprised. You're telling me about your new car
at the moment (present).
2) I didn't know you had bought a new car - I wasn't aware of the fact that you had bought
a new car at some point in the past (past).
*In spoken English, howe
Both are correct. They are usually construed thus:
1) I didn't know you bought a new car - I'm surprised. You're telling me about your new car
at the moment (present).
2) I didn't know you had bought a new car - I wasn't aware of the fact that you had bought
a new car at some point in the past (past).
*In spoken English, howe
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dangbinh95lion,
In the real world, there is a grey area about using past perfect which some "books" may not mention. From a learner's point of view, one must use past perfect in the context to chronologically describes two events which had taken place in the past. This rule is true. But if the context is the type that contain a conjunction such as "before", "after", and "while" and a few
In the real world, there is a grey area about using past perfect which some "books" may not mention. From a learner's point of view, one must use past perfect in the context to chronologically describes two events which had taken place in the past. This rule is true. But if the context is the type that contain a conjunction such as "before", "after", and "while" and a few
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Yes. Here is the logic: There are probably many things which have happened around you without your knowing, or being aware, like your best friend who just got divorced recently. So when you ran into him in the mall and started talking, you may say: " I didn't know you've got divorced... ". When someone says " I didn't know...", it doesn't neccessarily mean everything has to backshift into the pas
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