Learn English – I never thought

grammar

I never thought he would stoop to such levels

or

I have never thought he would stoop to such levels

Is there any difference between the two?

I was taught to use "never" only for present perfect tense but I have recently come across people using the word for past tense as well.

If there is no difference between the two in spoken English, which is more preferable in WRITTEN ENGLISH?

Thank you!

Best Answer

It's a small but important usage distinction.

I never thought he would stoop to such levels.

This is used to agree that the person being discussed has failed at some point of character and the speaker is shocked by the fact. Equivalent: "I didn't realize he was such a bad man."

I have never thought he would stoop to such levels.

This would be used more often to suggest the opposite, to reassure someone that the person under discussion probably had not failed a particular test of character. It's the equivalent of saying "I've always thought he was a good man who would not do such things."

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