Hongkie  +  590559 Sat, 22 Nov 08 06:35 AM 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) Hongkie Joined on Mon, Jan 21 2008 Junior Member 97 Tenses, Present Tenses, Past Tenses

	Mister Micawber  +  590596 Sat, 22 Nov 08 09:31 AM . 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! . Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,780 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.' Tenses, Past Tenses

	Thomas Tompion  +  590598 Sat, 22 Nov 08 09:33 AM 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 thought you've sung etc. I've never heard that.  For me it would have to be I thought you sang etc. Thomas Tompion Joined on Thu, Nov 20 2008 Full Member 120 Thomas Tompion Tenses, Present Perfect, Past Tenses

	Hongkie  +  590699 Sat, 22 Nov 08 02:58 PM 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.         Hongkie Articles, Tenses, Present Tenses, Past Tenses, Video

	Yankee  +  590758 Sat, 22 Nov 08 04:42 PM 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. (It simply states the fact that this is my opinion.) Both sentences are fine. Yankee Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006 Connecticut, USA Veteran Member 6,494 Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain Tenses, Past Tenses