The distinction: I thought it was going to rain, but it didn't.

[Saneta]

1. I thought it was going to rain, but it didn't.
2. I used to think Mark was unfriendly.
3. He explained that there was really no need to put on the air conditioning because it wasn't really hot.

The sentences 1. and 2. are examples of sequence of tenses (backshifting). We use sequence of tenses if the verb in the main clause is in the past: 1. I thought..., 2. I used to think...

But in the 3. sentence the verb in the main clause is also past: He explained..., but in this sentences there is no sequence of tenses. Please tell me how to distinguish where there is sequence of tenses and where not, if the verb in the main clause is in the past?

Thanks!

[Mister Micawber]

Why is there no backshifting in #3?

He explains, "There's really no need...because it isn't really hot."
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Saneta]

Mister Micawber, do you want to say that in sentence 3. there is also the sequence of tenses? ,,there is'' is changing to ,,there was''?, do this sentence mean the situation: He explained:,, that there is really no need to put on the air conditioning because it isn't really hot.
But earlier I was asking about that and I was told that
,,that there was really no need to put on the air conditioning because it wasn't really hot'' refers to the past, but if there is sequence of tenses it should concern the present time :,, there is''.

[Mister Micawber]

I just don't understand how you think there can be a difference in real time between 'I thought it was going to rain' and 'He explained that there was really no need'.

The point is that all three of your sentences may be regressions, or they may just be stating past events. The previous explanation you received may have been within a different context.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Alan]

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Hi Saneta,

You seem to be sorely exercised about a line from my latest newsletter:

[Saneta]

Thank you Mister Micawber and Alan!!!!!!!