Time Sequence

Question

Hi, how are you? I hope your health is good, and that your heart is full.

Of the following sets, which would you like better, a or b, particularly in terms of time sequence? Or, what is the difference in meaning if both are possible? Please introduce me to other options if any.

[1a] I left the bookstore, thinking he is so pigheaded.
[1b] I left the bookstore, thinking he was so pigheaded.

[2a] I left the bookstore, trusting some of the Australian aborigines has DNA's originated in South America.
[2b] I left the bookstore, trusting some of the Australian aborigines had DNA's originated in South America.

[3a] I would often told him that he needs to study hard to pass the exam, but he is yet to score the minimum mark.
[3b] I would often told him that he needed to study hard to pass the exam, but he is yet to score the minimum mark.

[4a] You had to negotiate the matter by hinting that you can discount the prices.
[4b] You had to negotiate the matter by hinting that you could discount the prices.

Hiro

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

I don't think that I want a 'full heart'-- what does that mean?

These are all fine:

[1a] I left the bookstore thinking he is so pigheaded.-- If he is still pigheaded.
[1b] I left the bookstore thinking he was so pigheaded.

[2a] I left the bookstore thinking that some of the Australian aborigines have DNA originating in South America.-- as above.
[2b] I left the bookstore thinking that some of the Australian aborigines had DNA originating in South America.

[3a] I would often tell him that he needs to study hard to pass the exam, but he has yet to score the minimum mark.-- as above.
[3b] I would often tell him that he needed to study hard to pass the exam, but he has yet to score the minimum mark.

[4a] You had to negotiate the matter by hinting that you can discount the prices.-- as above.
[4b] You had to negotiate the matter by hinting that you could discount the prices.

HSS · Answer

Thanks, Mister Macrawber, as always.

Mister MicawberI don't think that I want a 'full heart'-- what does that mean?

I thought it meant something like 'a heart full of happy thoughts etc, and having a great time.' I've copied it from a greeting that a friend of mine in the U.S. always used, and I've used it for long.

Hiro

Mister Micawber · Answer

Not necessarily. Your heart can be full when your mother dies, too, I think! We usually call this a 'heavy heart', but I found your term a little ambivalent when I read it. I went looking for the phrase and came up with this poem, for instance:

A Full Heart

by Bill E. Goldberg

I read him poetry,
and he cries.
He’s eighty two and has Alzheimer’s.
It’s a joy being with him now,
an opportunity to come from the heart
and leave my mind,
as his mind, at times, leaves him.
I recite poetry with feeling.
He loves the feeling behind the words.
He can hardly speak at all, yet he understands a lot.
I talk to him as an intelligent man,
and it connects with his memory of self-respect.
He yearns to be respected,
for people to see beyond his crippled mind,
and see what he was and still is underneath it all.

So I read, and he responds
with broken words, tears,
and a full heart.

HSS · Answer

Quite an interesting poem, MM. It could be 'full of good feelings,' it could be 'full of sad memories,' it could of 'full of anything --- any emotion, any thought, any feeling, any anything.' Maybe it would be better to say 'I hope your health is good, and that your heart is full of good thoughts.'

Also, I read my original question again, and found the phrasing odd.

~~Of the following sets, which would you like better ...?~~

Which sentence of the following sets would you like better ...? would be better, wouldn't it?
Or, perhaps
Of the following sets, which sentence would you like better ...?
?

Hiro

Mister Micawber · Answer

Maybe it would be better to say 'I hope your health is good and that your heart is full of good thoughts.'-- That would be clearer.

In each of the following sets, which sentence would you like better ...?

HSS · Answer

Thanks, MM.

Mister Micawber[3a] I would often tell him that ....
[3b] I would often tell him that ....

Ooops! Me and my (always) sleepy head!

Time Sequence

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