Whis one is correct and why

[Rayyan Azraae]

Tenses is always something that stumps me. Please help me out with this. I don't know which one is the right way to say it:
1. If I hadn't known better I would've said they were twins.
2. If I hadn't known better I would've said they are twins.
Seems to me #1 is correct, but I'm not sure. Please explain. Thanks in advance.:-|

 

[Richard1]

Hi,

In my experience 1. is the more common, but 2 is equally valid and hence correct.

As an aside I'd be inclined to write 'would have' rather than use 'would've' which is usually associated with speech.

Regards

 

[Rayyan Azraae]

Hi,

In my experience 1. is the more common, but 2 is equally valid and hence correct.

As an aside I'd be inclined to write 'would have' rather than use 'would've' which is usually associated with speech.

Regards

Thanks Richard.
If both are correct, can I say it either way in a same situation?

 

[Richard1]

Hi,

Yes.

Rgds