If I went to a place last night where I needed to show an id, but I forgot to have it on me. So if in the morning I was speaking to a friend(reporting on what happened), which one of the following would be correct:
I had heard that you needed an ID, but I didn't know if it was absolutely necessary
I had heard that you need an ID, but I didn't know if it was absolutely necessary.
I heard that you need an ID, but I didn't know if it was absolutely necessary.
The first one seems correct to me, but I might be wrong. Ideas?
And which one of the following should I say in the context above:
Reporting on what had happened
Reporting on what has happened
Reporting on what happened
Answer
I had heard that you needed an ID, but I didn't know if it was absolutely necessary.
This sentence is correct. It implies that you knew about the necessity of carrying an ID before the events of last night.
I had heard that you need an ID, but I didn't know if it was absolutely necessary.
This is also correct, although some people might say that the use of Present Simple with need doesn't agree with the past perspective. I believe, however, you can use it because in this place the ID is a norm and it is still valid.
I heard that you need an ID, but I didn't know if it was absolutely necessary.
This is correct but not very clear. I heard doesn't show that you knew about the ID beforehand. I prefer the previous two examples.
You are reporting what happened since you have already mentioned that these events took place last night.
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