[Grammar] I forgot that I had promised/ I forgot that I promised

[englishhobby]

Which sentence is correct (with or without 'had')?

1) I forgot that I had promised (you) to download that file to your folder on Google Drive.

2) I forgot that I promised (you) to download that file to your folder on Google Drive.

 

[jutfrank]

They would both be correct if you removed 'you'. Don't mix the following verb patterns:

• promise to do something
• promise somebody you will do something

The inclusion of the auxiliary had makes the phrase perfect rather than simple.

 

[englishhobby]

Don't mix the following verb patterns:

• promise to do something
• promise somebody you will do something

Thank you, I've really been mixing these structures. But now that you've corrected me, what's the difference in meaning, if any, between the sentences I wrote in the original post:

1) I forgot that I had promised to download that file to your folder on Google Drive.


2) I forgot that I promised to download that file to your folder on Google Drive.

The inclusion of the auxiliary had makes the phrase perfect rather than simple.

Unfortunately, this explanation doesn't add to my understanding of the difference between the sentences in question.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I would use 'had promised' because it happened before 'forgot'.