Tense: We wanted to make sure you are happy with your living space.

[Sweetpumpkin]

Hi,

Long time no see, guys :)

I have some question on the sentence below:

We wanted to make sure you are happy with your living space.

Is 'are' should be 'were'? I mean, is the sentence above grammatically wrong? What do you think?

I think... 'wanted' here can be the way to say 'want' more politely. I've heard about it somewhere... anyway, it doesn't mean "We wanted that in the past but not now', in my opinion. So I think, for the verb 'want', 'are' in the surbordinate clause is okay in this case. What do you think? Is 'were' possible, too? I'm waiting for your answers!!!

Thanks,
sweetpumpkin

[Mister Micawber]

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The verb can be 'are' to represent the present feelings of the tenant, or it can be 'were' to regress with the main verb ('wanted')-- for whatever reason (courtesy, hypothesis, past time) the main verb assumes the past, the dependent verb can regress with it.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Sweetpumpkin]

Million thanks, MM. Then 'wanted' here can be the way to say 'want' more politely- that could be correct, right? :)

[Mister Micawber]

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Yes.
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_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's