Lev Landau Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Main past-tense clause + Dependent present-tense clause?
Hi everybody,
I'm wondering if it is possible to use the structure: Main past-tense clause + Dependent present-tense clause?
For example:
I didn't know that you have this book.
I couldn't have known that you have this book.
Or is it preferable to write them as:
"------- ... you had this book."?
I feel that when the verb of dependent clause is changed to the simple past, the meaning of the sentence seems to change as well, i.e. that person many no longer have the book. I'm confused. Please help me.
Thank you very much.
I'm wondering if it is possible to use the structure: Main past-tense clause + Dependent present-tense clause?
For example:
I didn't know that you have this book.
I couldn't have known that you have this book.
Or is it preferable to write them as:
"------- ... you had this book."?
I feel that when the verb of dependent clause is changed to the simple past, the meaning of the sentence seems to change as well, i.e. that person many no longer have the book. I'm confused. Please help me.
Thank you very much.
Top answer
All your sentences are used. English isn't the most exact of languages. Using the past tense had may indeed indicate that the person no longer has that book.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
0
All your sentences are used. English isn't the most exact of languages. Using the past tense had may indeed indicate that the person no longer has that book. On the other hand, the sequence of tenses makes people use the past even when logic would require the present: I knew that he lived/lives in Paris.
CB
CB
0