Hi~ I have got a question about the tense of general truths. Would you take a look at two sentences below? 1. In the 1950s, English teachers (still) believed that a background in Latin is essential for an understanding of English. 2. In the 1950s, English teachers (still) believed that a background in Latin was essential for an understanding of English. 3. Slaveowners widely understood that literacy among oppressed people is a dangerous thing. 4. Slaveowners widely understood that literacy among oppressed people was a dangerous thing. Are there different meanings and connotations between #1 vs #2 and #3 vs #4? Thanks!
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