"Did you know I’m a big bike riding fan" or "Did you know I was a big bike riding fan"?

[Mori]

Consider the following conversation:

John: I live in London.
Dave: Really? I didn't know you lived (NOT live) in London.

That's how I've always asked my students to use the second verb tense according to the previous one, i.e. sequence of tenses. I was surprised when I saw the following today:

M: What are you doing this afternoon?
F: Nothing special. Why?
M: You want to go bike riding?
F: Did you know I’m a big bike riding fan?
M: Actually, no, I didn’t.
F: It’s true. I ride my bike every weekend—rain or shine.
M: That’s great!

Source: Top Notch 1

Shouldn't it be did you know I was a big bike riding fan?

 

[Rover_KE]

What's Top Notch 1?

 

[emsr2d2]

John: I live in London.
Dave: Really? I didn't know you lived (NOT live) in London.

While we wait for you to provide the rest of the source information, please note that your example dialogue is very unnatural. No native speaker would say what Dave said. We'd say "Really? I didn't know that".

 

[probus]

This native speaker would always choose the past tense over the present in both examples. I think this phenomenon is known as backshifting, but of course I defer to those who know more grammar than I (that is, practically everybody).

 

[Mori]

What's Top Notch 1?

Top Notch - Adult English language learning | Pearson Languages

Develop confident, fluent language skills to use English for socializing, traveling, further education and business. Can be followed by Summit, a two-level, high-intermediate to advanced communicative course.

www.pearson.com

 

[Tarheel]

@Mori An imaginary conversation. (They are not talking face to face )

John: I live in London.
Dave: I didn't know that.
John: In fact, I grew up here. Come for a visit sometime, and I'll show you around. We'll do all the touristy things.
Dave: That's a great idea!


Some of us do what jutfrank calls backshifting. Others--not so much.

 

[jutfrank]

You can use both the present and the past tense in cases like this.

 

[Rover_KE]

When in doubt, backshift – it will always be right.

 

[Mori]

I defer to those who know more grammar than I (that is, practically everybody)

So humble of you!