[Grammar] I've been thinking and another question has popped up in my head.

[andi harper]

Hi. Could you please tell me which tense should be used here?
I've been thinking and another question has popped up in my head.
I've been thinking and another question popped up in my head.
Much obliged.

 

[bhaisahab]

They are both OK.

 

[andi harper]

I was afraid that past simple may suggest that the question emerged in my head earlier than I started thinking. :?:

 

[tedmc]

I was afraid that past simple may suggest that the question emerged in my head earlier than I started thinking. :?:

No, it doesn't.

 

[andi harper]

Are you sure?

 

[bhaisahab]

I am sure.

 

[emsr2d2]

To suggest that the question popped up earlier than the thinking started, the whole sentence would need to be changed and would probably include a "cause and effect" implication.

I was thinking because a question had popped into my head.