Meaning and usage of ずっとそう思っていました。


Which translation is most apt for `ずっとそう思っていました。`?

  * "I always thought so."
  * "I have always thought that..."
  * "It is always on my mind"
  * "I am always thinking about"

When and how is the phrase/expression usually used?




You could interpret the phrase a few ways depending on context, but two main
candidates are as follows:

> **A:** ずっとそう思っていました。 I **had** always thought so.  
>  **B:** ずっとそう思っていました。 I **have** always thought so.

**In A** , the fact that the phrase is in the past tense 思っていました can indicate
a change in the opinion of the speaker. It refers to something that the
speaker had always thought to be the case and believed to be so. However, the
inference is that it is not something they think now. Their opinion has
changed. To give an English example, imagine you lost your dog but but never
found him. You might say "I **had** always thought I would find him, but I
never did". The past tense indicates that your opinion has changed.

**In B** , you could argue that the past tense 思っていました can refer to something
which the speaker has always believed right up until this very moment. And
they still believe it. In the same example as above, imagine that you had
found your dog. Now you might say "I **have** always thought I would find him,
and now I have", This time, the tense serves as a reference point which was
continuous from the past up the the current moment and which you are
confirming was correct.

  * _This might be a controversial interpretation so I recommend reading more answers for reference_.




You could interpret the phrase a few ways depending on context, but two main
candidates are as follows:

> **A:** ずっとそう思っていました。 I **had** always thought so.  
>  **B:** ずっとそう思っていました。 I **have** always thought so.

**In A** , the fact that the phrase is in the past tense 思っていました can indicate
a change in the opinion of the speaker. It refers to something that the
speaker had always thought to be the case and believed to be so. However, the
inference is that it is not something they think now. Their opinion has
changed. To give an English example, imagine you lost your dog but but never
found him. You might say "I **had** always thought I would find him, but I
never did". The past tense indicates that your opinion has changed.

**In B** , you could argue that the past tense 思っていました can refer to something
which the speaker has always believed right up until this very moment. And
they still believe it. In the same example as above, imagine that you had
found your dog. Now you might say "I **have** always thought I would find him,
and now I have", This time, the tense serves as a reference point which was
continuous from the past up the the current moment and which you are
confirming was correct.

  * _This might be a controversial interpretation so I recommend reading more answers for reference_.

