Optional vs obligatory back shifting

Question

Consider two sentences - 1) I didn't know that X is a Russian. 2) I didn't know that X was a Russian.

My question is, under the condition that X is still Russian, can sentence 1) be used ?

Thanks.

Why would you think it couldn't be used? – Hot Licks Apr 28 '15 at 22:01 — Hot Licks, Apr 28 '15 at 22:01

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 29 '15 at 02:58

0

It's perfectly legitimate to say "I didn't know that X is a Russian" in the proper context. For instance, the following dialog:

X just came back from visiting his family in Moscow.

I didn't know that X is a Russian.

X is (apparently) a Russian at the present moment. Up until this moment you did not know this.

answered Apr 29 '15 at 02:58

Hot Licks

27,508

This is a good example. – Marius Hancu Apr 29 '15 at 03:02
And what would you say about - I didn't know + present perfect ? Is this usage possible under the condition that the situation is still relevant ? – iamRR Apr 29 '15 at 03:13

score -2 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 29 '15 at 01:36

Not really. IMO, 1 fails the tradition of the English language, which requires tense consistency, and that is thoroughly confirmed by Google Books:

"didn't know he is a" About 29 results

"didn't know he was a" About 509,000 results

Then, what does "Russian" mean in your context?

"Russian born/by birth"? That never changes.

"Russian citizen/national"? That can change.

Anyway, the point is why would they have been concerned in say 1990 about what he is in say 2015? Except if they went on a time travel :-)

Your Google results confirm nothing. – Hot Licks Apr 29 '15 at 02:52 — Hot Licks, Apr 29 '15 at 02:52

Optional vs obligatory back shifting

2 Answers2