have or had

[Unregistered]

Which is correct? And please explain why. Thank you.
1. I thought you had a job.
2. I thought you have a job.

 

[naomimalan]

Which is correct? And please explain why. Thank you.
1. I thought you had a job.
2. I thought you have a job.

Only the first one is correct: 1. I thought you had a job.

It's a very interesting question. I don't think I've ever seen an explanation for this in a grammar or course book so I'll just give you my opinion as a teacher and native speaker.

If I say "I thought you had a job", it means "I thought you had a job but I now know you do not have a job." So we're talking about a situation that belongs to the past: therefore had not have.

To express the same type of situation, you can also use the past tense when talking about the future. For instance, if a friend is coming to stay with you and he or she arrives a day earlier than expected, you can say "But I thought you were coming tomorrow!" :-D:-D

 

[puzzle]

A. "Hi, I want to tell you I get that job!"
B. "I knew you got/get it."

:?:In this case, get or got, which one is right? Please.

 

[David L.]

A. "Hi, I want to tell you I get that job!"

For you to be able to tell me - at this moment - that you have found a job, then you must have found the job before this very moment, that is, say, yesterday - that is, it's past. So you must use the past tense.
'I want to tell you that I got that job.'
or
'I want to tell you, I did get that job (that I was telling you I was going to apply for.)

B. "I knew you got/get it."
'I knew when I heard you were going to apply/going for the interview, that you would get it.'
or
'I know. I heard that you had got it.'

 

[puzzle]

Thanks!

 

[queux]

Thanks naomimalan.:-D