I didn't know + past or present?

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

Moderator: Alan

Locked
User avatar
Firefox
Rising Star
Rising Star
Posts: 220
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2019 6:57 am
Status: Other

I didn't know + past or present?

Post by Firefox »

If you say "I didn't know that...", does the followup have to be past or can it be present if the situation is still true in the present?

I didn't know that you could swim.

or

I didn't know that you can swim?
User avatar
Alan
Teacher/Moderator
Teacher/Moderator
Posts: 15204
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:56 pm
Status: Teacher of English
Location: Japan

Re: I didn't know + past or present?

Post by Alan »

Formally, the former. Casually, the latter is acceptable.
Locked