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 Sun May 18, 2008 16:53 pm I didn't know that/ I don't know that |
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In American slang it's sometimes common to use "don't" instead of "didn't" depending on the person and someone might say "I don't know that" as if to say "Of course I don't know that knowledge"
Another example is "It don't even matter." instead of "it doesn't even matter." from Rush Hour (Chris Tucker)
"I don't know that" can also be used if the person doesn't trust the first person completely. For example: A->"There's $1000 in your bank." ...B->"What? I don't know that (for certain)." |
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rajin
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| Mon May 19, 2008 0:10 am I didn't know that/ I don't know that |
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In BrE, I would expect "I didn't know that".
If I were to say "X is the case", and someone were to reply "I don't know that", I would assume the speaker meant "I can't be sure you're right", as in Rajin's last example.
All the best,
MrP |
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MrPedantic
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| Mon May 19, 2008 9:22 am "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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| --- Edited. Wrong thread. |
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Molly
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| Mon May 19, 2008 13:19 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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Why just edit such a post, Molly?
Didn't you know that it is possible to delete your own post when it is still the last one in the thread? 
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lost_soul
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| Mon May 19, 2008 13:52 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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| Alex wrote: | | Well, now it's too late ! |
I know, Alex. 
I couldn't resist the opportunity to give Nessie an example of "Didn't you know". The example also provided "Molly" with a useful tip.
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Amy
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| Mon May 19, 2008 17:03 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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Hi,
I really can't see the variations of or differences between 'I don't know' and 'I didn't know' having all these subtle meanings. Don't they simply mean what they say? The tone of voice with which they are spoken says it all, doesnt it? But ultimately that applies to everything!
Alan
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Alan
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| Mon May 19, 2008 17:24 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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Hi Alan
I assume you'd agree that the following two sentences would mean different things (as a response to you last post):
- I don't know that I'd agree with you, Alan.
- I didn't know that I'd agree with you, Alan.
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Amy
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Yankee
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| Mon May 19, 2008 17:48 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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| Quote: | Why just edit such a post, Molly?
Didn't you know that it is possible to delete your own post when it is still the last one in the thread? |
Thanks, Amy. Nice to know there's a helping hand when you need it, right?
Returning the favour:
| Quote: | | I assume you'd agree that the following two sentences would mean different things (as a response to you last post): |
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Molly
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| Mon May 19, 2008 17:52 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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Thanks for pointing out the typo, "Molly". Do you suppose Alan will want me to correct it?
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Amy
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| Mon May 19, 2008 18:09 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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Hi,
I actually said:
| Quote: | | I really can't see the variations of or differences between 'I don't know' and 'I didn't know' having all these subtle meanings. Don't they simply mean what they say? |
And I actually meant what I said.
Alan
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Alan
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| Mon May 19, 2008 19:12 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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| Alan wrote: | | And I actually meant what I said. |
I wasn't quite sure which of "all these subtle meanings" you were referring to.
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Amy
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| Mon May 19, 2008 19:15 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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| Quote: | | I really can't see the variations of or differences between 'I don't know' and 'I didn't know' having all these subtle meanings. Don't they simply mean what they say? The tone of voice with which they are spoken says it all, doesnt it? But ultimately that applies to everything! |
=> Yes, Alan I also think the tone of voice with which they are spoken says it all, but I just want to know in such a case, which will be the immediate response of a British person and which will be of the American one.
| Quote: | | I couldn't resist the opportunity to give Nessie an example of "Didn't you know". The example also provided "Molly" with a useful tip. |
=> Hi Amy,
Giving me that example, do you mean to agree with my explaination about my choice of "I didn't know that" above? You used "didn't" because before you posted it, Molly may not have known the fact, but by the time molly read your post she must have already known it?
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nessie
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| Mon May 19, 2008 20:02 pm "I didn't know that" vs "I don't know that" |
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Hi,
I honestly believe that quibbling about the way someone says it or doesn't say it with regard to whether it's 'I don't know' or 'I didn't know' is a complete waste of time. As I have already said and I promise I'll not say it again - Both phrases mean exactly what they say.
Alan
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