My friend's daughter tells him that she doesn't like Ice cream anymore. My friend re

[B45]

My friend's daughter tells him that she doesn't like Ice cream anymore. My friend replies:

I thought you liked/like Ice cream!


Do a past tense verb always follow thought or are there times where thought is followed by a non past tense verb.

For example: I thought you like ice cream!

 

[Raymott]

You can always use the past tense after "I thought". It's similar to reported speech where you can always backshift the verb in the second clause.
"I thought you like ice cream" sounds strange.

 

[MikeNewYork]

In that context, I would use "liked".

 

[B45]

You can always use the past tense after "I thought". It's similar to reported speech where you can always backshift the verb in the second clause.
"I thought you like ice cream" sounds strange.

Could you provide some examples where thought isn't followed by a past tense verb?

 

[Raymott]

Could you provide some examples where thought isn't followed by a past tense verb?

Yes, with modal verbs.
"I thought you would like it." That could refer to the past, or it could mean "When I bought it yesterday, I thought you would like it now that I am giving it to you."
"I thought you could handle it", "I thought you must be pregnant", etc.
But I can't think of an example that is necessarily followed by a present tense or future tense verb. Perhaps someone else can.

 

[B45]

What about:

I just thought it's easier that way.

And

I just thought it would be easier that way.

When talking about a past event. Are both okay?

 

[Raymott]

Sure, "it's" can mean "it was" and "would be" is a modal construction. Nothing new there.
Out of "I just thought it was/is easier that way", I'd say 'was'. Certainly 'is' is not necessary. The challenge was to find an example where the simple present tense was a superior choice.
Yes, "I just thought, 'It is easier that way'" is correct, because that's a direct quote, but when you express it as a reported thought, the common choices are "was" or "would be".

 

[B45]

Sure, "it's" can mean "it was" and "would be" is a modal construction. Nothing new there.
Out of "I just thought it was/is easier that way", I'd say 'was'. Certainly 'is' is not necessary. The challenge was to find an example where the simple present tense was a superior choice.
Yes, "I just thought, 'It is easier that way'" is correct, because that's a direct quote, but when you express it as a reported thought, the common choices are "was" or "would be".

It's can mean both it was and it is?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes.

 

[Raymott]

It's can mean both it was and it is?

Not often. Don't take that as a rule. It only potentially means "it was" in the case you used it because we would normally say "it was" there.
I should have expressed that differenly. In fact, "It's" usually means "It is" or "It has" (as an auxiliary).