Anon f8r Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Why do they use past tense?
There are many occasions that I dont know why people use past tense instead of present tense. As for example, arround three years ago when the then 6 years old Connie Talbot sang Over The Rainbow at The Britain's Got Talent Show, Simon said, "I thought you were fantastic!" The other judge said, " I thought you've sung that beautifully."
They gave those comments right after that girl had sung the song. Why didn't they use 'think' instead of 'thought'?
By the way, am I allowed to post that link here? (It is a four minutes youTube link)
They gave those comments right after that girl had sung the song. Why didn't they use 'think' instead of 'thought'?
By the way, am I allowed to post that link here? (It is a four minutes youTube link)
Top answer
They could have used either, but obviously they were looking back and examining their own reactions in the past. Yes, you certainly can link that Connie Talbot song-- it is indeed fantastic!
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They could have used either, but obviously they were looking back and examining their own reactions in the past.
Yes, you certainly can link that Connie Talbot song-- it is indeed fantastic!
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They could have used either, but obviously they were looking back and examining their own reactions in the past.
Yes, you certainly can link that Connie Talbot song-- it is indeed fantastic!
.
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In those two cases thought is quite normal to suggest that the estimation of the singing took place at the time the song was being sung.
What I didn't find idiomatic in the other judge's comment was the use of the present perfect:
I thoughtyou've sung etc.
I've never heard that. For me it would have to be I thought you sang etc.
What I didn't find idiomatic in the other judge's comment was the use of the present perfect:
I thought
I've never heard that. For me it would have to be I thought you sang etc.
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I understand that If they thought in that way in the past but not anymore now, then they should use past tense.
If they thought in that way and still think so, then they should use present tense, right?
Or is it idiomatic? Sorry to ask again, just want to make sure.
This is the link.
If they thought in that way and still think so, then they should use present tense, right?
Or is it idiomatic? Sorry to ask again, just want to make sure.
This is the link.
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Hi Hongkie
Sometimes it's just a matter of the way the speaker is looking at things:
"I thought you sang that beautifully." = This is the opinion I formed based on the way you sang. (This looks more at the formation of the opinion. I would expect that opinion to still be valid.)
"I think you sang that beautifully." = This is my opinion of your performance
Sometimes it's just a matter of the way the speaker is looking at things:
"I thought you sang that beautifully." = This is the opinion I formed based on the way you sang. (This looks more at the formation of the opinion. I would expect that opinion to still be valid.)
"I think you sang that beautifully." = This is my opinion of your performance
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