heard, said etc.

[Nightmare85]

I think you have all the available evidence now from several threads to make a decision about this. This is my last word on the matter (you'll be pleased to know, because I'm really not sure you can handle the truth. ):

If the hearer has tried to stop the speaker and failed, the speaker would say, "You thought you could stop me with your weapon?
If the hearer has not yet tried to stop the speaker, the speaker would say, "You think you can stop me with your weapon?
There is no circumstance under which the speaker would say the sentence you've written if he is speaking normal native English.
As far as the 100% certainty claim goes, that doesn't happen in human affairs, and even if it did, he would use the "think/can" version.

Thanks, Raymott, but I don't know if it's important that it's about a game.
Your statement sounds a bit as if the hearer had only 1 chance to stop the speaker.
However, he could try to stop him several times, and of course he could fail several times.
But I believe it's better to use can-think in this case.

And what do you say to the other 3 examples?
(Because they are not game related):

"She said that Canberra is the capital of Australia"
"The teacher said that phrasal verbs are very important."
"Mandy said that the sun rises in the East."

I must honestly say that my opponent has very strong arguments...

:-|

Cheers!

 

[Raymott]

And what do you say to the other 3 examples?
(Because they are not game related):

"She said that Canberra is the capital of Australia"
"The teacher said that phrasal verbs are very important."
"Mandy said that the sun rises in the East."

I wouldn't object to any of those.
But I, personally, would use the past tense form. The important point is that the past tense form is always right, so it's easy to remember that. The present tense form is only right under some conditions.
You will never be wrong if you use the past tense form.
(Unless someone can prove me wrong about this).

 

[felliot]

 

[Nightmare85]

Yes, I agree

Thank you very much :up:

Cheers!

 

[BobK]

I wouldn't object to any of those.
But I, personally, would use the past tense form. The important point is that the past tense form is always right, so it's easy to remember that. The present tense form is only right under some conditions.
You will never be wrong if you use the past tense form.
(Unless someone can prove me wrong about this).

:up: Phew ;-) Glad that's over! This forum is aimed at ELT/ESOL students rather than for academics arguing about extreme and unlikely cases. I'm closing this thread. If any ELT/ESOL student wants to ask a related question, you're welcome to start another thread in this forum. Anyone else is welcome to start one elsewhere (not in Ask a Teacher) ;-)

b