never know and never knew

[zayck]

Hi all,

May I know what is the difference between never know and never knew? which is gramatically correct ??

 

[Barb_D]

Are you talking about the past, present, or future?

Both are correct in the right situation.

 

[zayck]

Can you please explain in every situation ( past, present and future) ? Which is the correct one to use in each situation?

 

[Barb_D]

I would prefer that you write a few sentences in which you're not sure which one to use.

Remember that "knew" is past.

 

[zayck]

I would prefer that you write a few sentences in which you're not sure which one to use.

Remember that "knew" is past.

I never knew that you are a girl!
I never know that you are a girl!

I have never done that in front of a girl.
I never do that in front of a girl.

From the above 2 examples,which is the right one?

 

[2006]

I never knew that you were a girl!
Knew is in the past, so "are" is changed to "were". Why is it changed to "were"?

unless you are saying that after the sex-change operations

 

[2006]

Good point about the sex- change thing. So...would you say, "I never knew that you are a girl?"

Yes, that's the logical, the semantically correct, thing to say. Actually, in most contexts I would probably say 'I didn't know that you are a girl.'

For example, you have an online 'friend' that for some reason you thought was male. Later you learned that she is female.

Sorry, for the late response; initially I apparently didn't read your post carefully enough to realize that you asked me a question.